Essays and discussion questions can be very tricky for students, so mastering them is a challenge indeed. Some very clever students can get away with the open-ended nature of these questions by using a literary art called bola.
Bola is a signature writing style requiring experience in many fields, such as sleep deprivation, overuse of TikTok, and a conviction strong enough to take on the writers of your textbooks. Masters of this art have been using techniques likely passed down from batch to batch, a few types having been listed for perusing and analysis:
Type 1: JESUS IS THE ANSWER
Definition: A commonly used bola technique that involves references to the Bible even when the latter is completely unrelated to the topic.
Sample Question: Describe how poverty leads to habitats being destroyed.
Bola Answer:
One of the reasons we were made by God is to take care of His good Earth, His wonderful creation. But if we are taken over by our worldly problems, we distort our purpose and forget why we were created in the first place. Similarly, because those in poverty have to deal with such intense and pressing issues daily, saving the Earth fails to become an urgent priority. Those who fall below the poverty line are likely to prioritize things in the present or tangible things that they can use to their own benefit now in order to survive, as compared to future generations. This puts sustainability as a much smaller concern than matters like ensuring warmth in the winter.
Type 2: Killing three birds with one stone
Definition: Boosting your conduct grade, taking your recommendation letters into your own hands, and getting a good mark all in one.
Sample Question: How is mercantilism related to imperialism?
Bola answer:
Firstly, mercantilism and imperialism are unethical practices that only serve to benefit one country while exploiting others. Combining both can only lead to more problems that will eventually be detrimental to the country they were supposed to benefit. I, of course, as a responsible individual, radically disagree with these philosophies as they are far too shortsighted and flawed in nature. In lieu of adhering to both methods, I believe supporting my fool-proof, dare I say, innovative solution could positively contribute to the welfare of all participating parties.
Type 3: If you don’t know the textbook, at least sound like it
Definition: Using long words to cover up the fact that you don’t know what you’re saying
Sample Question: Why is carbon dioxide just as important to the body as oxygen?
Bola Answer: A house divided by itself cannot stand by any necessary and supplementary means. Similar to this concept of stability, carbon dioxide and oxygen, two important and ever-present aspects of the physical and scientific world, both contribute greatly to the function of things not just related to the body but everywhere else in the world. Things functioning that require the presence or absence of one or the other compound would have negative responses, should the mentioned necessity be removed irreversibly. Otherwise, the consequences could drastically alter the quality, efficacy, and efficiency of life we know it to be in this present day. As a fundamental, significant, and consequential factor in a person’s constitution, carbon dioxide is just as necessary as oxygen.
Type 4: Hitting the Nail Close to the Head
Definition: Instead of talking about the topic, you can vaguely write about similar issues, ideas, or concepts. This works best in a batch with over eighty students all taking tests that are made up of mostly subjective questions.
Sample Question: Describe cells.
Bola Answer: Cells are very, very small units of matter. Their function is to enable the system to work properly because of the chain reaction produced if they fail to do so. In addition, they may also be bigger or smaller with chemical change. They are numerous and found all around the human body, serving their respective functions. While they may carry harmful substances, they can be rehabilitated and aided by other cells. Overall, though small, these particles are integral to the proper function of the human body and are irreplaceable in the natural order of life.
Type 5: Refer to an Unknown Source that Probably Exists
Definition: Mentioning different “credible” references to disguise the fact that you have no idea what you are saying.
Sample Question: What is Mercutio’s role in “Romeo and Juliet”?
Bola Answer: According to the book’s foreword, Mercutio was a very poignant character in “Romeo and Juliet.” He contributed to many important scenes, and this is seen in an analysis done by the class recently. His relationships with many of the characters enabled him to play a key role in the ending of the story, which can be seen in the last part of the drama. According to several lines of the main characters, he played the role of a protagonist, and his influence is seen throughout the book. I once read a journal pertaining to personalities similar to Mercurio’s, and it found that the events that he paved the way for were similar to the climactic endings of books despite different settings.
While seemingly easy in strategy and style, the art of bola can impair you in the long run—you might end up continuously favoring flowery yet deceiving sentiments over impactful and genuine rhetorics. In the end, bola may just be another defense mechanism to deflect from humiliation, but sometimes, admitting what you don’t know can help foster a healthier method of communication. As James Thurber says, "It is better to know some of the questions than all of the answers."