Whats the difference between continuous prose and essay style writing?

[BreakOutTheKaraoke]

On my 2nd OU course, personal finance in context, but its my first written course- my first was intro to maths. And I'm stuck!

I'm looking at my first TMA, it's in 2 questions. Question 1 is a table to analyse, with set points a-h to answer. Says it needs to be in continuous prose.

Question 2 is to discuss something or another in essay form.

Question 2 is not really a problem- can do that I think. But how is continuous prose different? Do I need to answer each point seperately, in order? Or do I include them all within one answer, as in essay form? I don't know!

What do you mean by "set points"? Do you mean 1 a), b) and c) etc or just cover x, y and z in your answer? Either way, they want you to write in a continuous essay style and not bullet-pointy. But, if not clear, you can always email your tutor just to check what they want

1a, b, c etc, has to be 500 words. Each part is worth a separate number of points. Just not sure whether it would be question 1a, the answer is this, question 1b, the answer is that, but obviously in paragraphs, etc, or would it be in table so-and-so, 2000 equals this, 2007 equals that. This difference could be because...etc.

Think I will email my tutor, thanks for looking though :)

Is that DB123 you're doing? If so, I've just finished that one (my final level one course - whoop!) and yes, I answered each part of the questions in separate paragraphs, in sentences.

eg.

Question One, (a) The table shows.......

My course has a similar style for answers. So, 1a - write answer in prose style. 1B - same again. So, each part of answer to Q1 is discrete but not bullet-points

Thanks everyone for your replies!

Keynisian- yes its DB123, its not what I expected! But fingers crossed it goes OK. So you don't have to write the question out? I know in the assignment booklet it says to include the question, but I figured that would be in the essay as it would be hard to stick to 400 words with questions included.

Thanks for the luck!