1. Taking Examinations on Literature
Alling
ENC 1102
Ch. 25 Roberts & Zweig

2. Objectives Memorization vs. Preparation Systematic preparation
Study
Develop & reinforce
Anticipate & create q’s
Two (2) basic types of q’s
Responses evaluated
Final tips for success

3. Memorization vs. Preparation
Don’t assume you will remember everything we covered this semester.
Instead, prepare . . .

4. Preparation means that you
Study the material assigned, in conjunction with the comments made in class by your instructor & by fellow students in discussion
(Roberts and Zweig 1401);

5. Material Assigned & Comments =
syllabus
lecture notes
quizzes
papers
agendas & key terms/concepts on board
instructor comments during class
instructor comments on quizzes & papers
points made by classmates during discussion

6. “Preparation means that you
2. develop and reinforce your own thoughts” (Roberts and Zweig 1401);

7. Develop & Reinforce Your Thoughts =
“. . . week before exam, review each assignment, preferably rereading everything completely”
Study particular passages that were discussed in class
Review notes taken during those classes
Reinforcing week prior = better than cramming night before

8. “Preparation means that you
3. anticipate exam questions by creating and answering your own practice questions” (Roberts and Zweig 1401);

9. Anticipate Questions =
Review/re-read works actively
what seems most important?
what elements are repeated?
what was emphasized in class?
what did I notice the 2nd time around?
Study with a classmate
gaps in note-taking
quizzing w/ Cornell method notes
stress relief

10. Anticipate questions =
Consider level expected by instructor:
Beyond plot literary devices used by author to evoke particular effects & to guide reader to view work certain way (characterization, structure, point of view, central ideas, etc.)
Beyond reader response various approaches to interpreting literature (critical approaches)
Beyond summary analyzing, comparing, arguing, researching, annotating, reviewing, & documenting literature & literary criticism (reasonable interpretation grounded in textual evidence & academic journals)

11. Create questions =
Two (2) basic types of exam questions about literature:
Factual/objective
Comprehensive/subjective

12. Factual/Objective Questions
Multiple choice:
did you do the reading?
are you paying attention to how the test questions are phrased?
Identification:
how carefully did you read?
can you describe important details?
can you explain the significance of characters, situations, places, & quotes?
Technical:
did you acquire the technical knowledge & jargon to analyze a work for its literary devices?

13. Judging & Grading Factual/Objective Questions
How effectively you perceive & explain significant issues in question
How intelligently & clearly you organize your answer
How persuasively you link your answer to materials from the work as supporting evidence
(Roberts & Zweig 1411)

14. Comprehensive/Subjective Questions
Direct:
did you achieve the course objectives?
do you understand the philosophy of the course?
Comment:
can you extrapolate a famous quotation or broad comment written by the instructor for the occasion?
Suppose:
can you adapt to a hypothetical question and invent an original answer?

15. Judging & Grading Comprehensive/Subjective Questions
demonstrate your power of thinking
formulate your own responses
introduce evidence that reflects your own insights & command of information
(Roberts & Zweig 1411)

16. “Preparation means that you
4. understand the precise function of the test” (Roberts and Zweig 1401).

17. Function of the test =
To assess your command over the course material (retention)
To assess how well you respond to a question or deal with an issue (writing & problem-solving)
To assess how well you draw conclusions about the material (reasoning & application)
(Roberts & Zweig 1401)

18. Final tips for success ATQ (Answer the Question) Organize your ideas
Edit your sentences
Document your sources