1. Common Core English Regents Preparation
© 2015 Tammy Manor

2. The Common Core English Regents
Reading Comprehension
24 Multiple Choice Questions
Argumentative Essay (Five-paragraph essay)
Text Analysis Writing (Two to three paragraphs)

3. Part One
Reading comprehension with 24 questions requiring close reading and an understanding of the whole text. There are three passages in this section:
One literary nonfiction
One literature piece
One poem

4. Reading Comprehension
Read the questions first (promotes active reading)
Use a highlighter or pen to underline the essential part of the question
After two-three paragraphs, take notes in the margins
Look for context clues to figure out vocabulary words you don’t understand.
If you are to answer a question using line references, re-read that line in addition to the one ABOVE and BELOW

5. Part Two
Part two is an argumentative essay. Unlike the MOSL exam, the argumentative essay on the ELA Regents will have four passages for you to read. It will not allow for drawing upon outside knowledge. You must draw from the texts only, writing a source based argument. Make sure you use quotation marks and properly cite the different texts.

6. Argumentative Essay
Introduction: Includes a thesis (which is a claim and 3 reasons) 1st body paragraph uses SEE method and explains the 1st reason 2nd body paragraph uses SEE method and explains the 2nd reason 3rd body paragraph uses SEE method and explains the 3rd reason Counterclaim: uses SEE method to explain the opposing side and prove it weak Conclusion: Restate thesis

7. Paragraph #1 – Introduction
Argumentative Essay
Paragraph #1 – Introduction
Attention-grabbing beginning (hook)
Description of issue (what will be discuss in the essay)
 Thesis Statement (Claim + reasons)

8. Argumentative Essay What is the SEE method?
The SEE Method is just a way for us to remember what we need to include in each body paragraph that we write, no matter what type of writing we are doing.
One reason this Method is so great is that it is easy to remember, plus it’s short & to the point

9. We use the SEE method to help us craft arguments.
Argumentative Essay
State Claim
Include Evidence
Explain Evidence
We use the SEE method to help us craft arguments.

10. Argumentative Essay
1. The Claim—answer the question “What do I think?”
2. The reasons—answer the question “Why do I think this?”
3. The Evidence—answer the question “How do I know this?”
4. The Counterclaim---respond to what others think “Why are other arguments weaker than mine?”

11. Argumentative Essay Conclusion Restate your main premise
Provide a brief summary of your argument
Show how a group will benefit from following your assertion
Explain what might happen if your idea is not accepted
End with a rhetorical question
Ask for a call to action

12. Part Three
Part three asks for text analysis, not an extended response as in Part two. Write a two to three paragraph response that identifies a central idea, authors writing strategy or literary technique. (Similar to the paragraph responses on the old format of the exam.)

13. Things we don’t have to worry about anymore…
Bye bye boring listening passage Bye bye critical lens essay

14. Practice makes perfect
Today we’re going to practice reading passages and answer multiple choice questions…
Make sure you:
Read the questions before you read the passages
Annotate the passages while reading

15. Annotation is not highlighting.

16. Annotation slows down the reader in order to deepen understanding.