Answer: a. Guides the essay response.
The directives of an essay question are intended to guide you as you write the essay response. These highlight the most important elements of the question. They can also tell you what elements of the answer are the most vital. Paying close attention to these directives can help you write an essay that is more coherent, concise and relevant. It can also help you ensure that the answer addresses all the important parts of the essay question.