1. NYS English Regents
Preparing for the 2011 Exam

2. Part 1: Listening Listen to a passage Take notes
Answer multiple choice questions
You will not see the questions while before or during the reading of the passage. Therefore it is imperative that you take good notes.

3. Part 2: Reading Comprehension
Read two prose passages
Answer multiple choice questions for each passage
Questions address
Main idea
Details
Vocabulary in context
Drawing inferences
Tone
Technique

4. Part 3: Reading Comprehension and Short Response
Read two prose passages
Answer multiple choice questions for each passage
Questions address
Main idea
Details
Vocabulary in context
Drawing inferences
Tone
Technique
Construct two short responses to the passages

5. Part 3 Short Response 1
Write a well-developed paragraph in which you use ideas from both passages to establish a controlling idea about ________________. Develop your controlling idea using specific examples and details from each passage.

6. Part 3 Short Response 1 Grading
Score Point 2
presents a well-developed paragraph
demonstrates a basic understanding of the texts
establishes an appropriate controlling idea
supports the controlling idea with clear and appropriate details from both texts
uses language that is appropriate
may exhibit errors in conventions that do not hinder comprehension
Score Point 1
has a controlling idea OR
implies a controlling idea OR
has an unclear controlling idea AND
supports the controlling idea with partial and/or overly general information from the texts
uses language that may be imprecise or inappropriate
exhibits errors in conventions that may hinder comprehension
Score Point 0
is off topic, incoherent, a copy of the task/texts, or blank
demonstrates no understanding of the task/texts
is a personal response

7. Part 3 Short Response 2
Choose a specific literary element (e.g., theme, characterization, structure, point of view, etc.) or literary technique (e.g., symbolism, irony, figurative language, etc.) used by one of the authors. Using specific details from that passage, in a well-developed paragraph, show how the author uses that element or technique to develop the passage.

8. Part 3 Short Response 2 Grading
Score Point 2
presents a well-developed paragraph
provides an appropriate explanation of the literary element or technique chosen
supports the explanation with clear and appropriate evidence from the text
uses language that is appropriate
may exhibit errors in conventions that do not hinder comprehension
Score Point 1
provides an explanation of the literary element or technique OR
implies an explanation of the literary element or technique OR
has an unclear explanation of the literary element or technique AND
supports the explanation with partial and/or overly general information from the text
uses language that may be imprecise or inappropriate
exhibits errors in conventions that may hinder comprehension
Score Point 0
is off topic, incoherent, a copy of the task/text, or blank
demonstrates no understanding of the task/text
is a personal response
Note: Since the question specifies choosing one of the authors, if the student responds using both passages, score the portion of the response that would give the student the higher score.

9. Part 4: The Critical Lens Essay
Discuss two works of literature you have read from the particular perspective of the statement that is provided for you in the Critical Lens. In your essay:
provide a valid interpretation of the statement
agree or disagree with the statement as you have interpreted it
support your opinion using specific references to appropriate literary elements from the two works.

10. Part 4 Continued Be sure to:
Provide a valid interpretation of the critical lens that clearly establishes the criteria for analysis
Indicate whether you agree or disagree with the statement as you have interpreted it
Choose two works you have read that you believe best support your opinion
Use the criteria suggested by the critical lens to analyze the works you have chosen
Avoid plot summary. Instead, use specific references to appropriate literary elements (for example: theme, characterization, setting, point of view) to develop your analysis
Organize your ideas in a unified and coherent manner
Specify the titles and authors of the literature you choose
Follow the conventions of standard written English

11. Part 4 Grading
Meaning: the extent to which the response exhibits sound understanding, interpretation, and analysis of the task and text(s)
Development: the extent to which ideas are elaborated using specific and relevant evidence from the text(s)
Organization: the extent to which the response exhibits direction, shape, and coherence
Language Use: the extent to which the response reveals an awareness of audience and purpose through effective use of words, sentence structure, and sentence variety
Conventions: the extent to which the response exhibits conventional spelling, punctuation, paragraphing, capitalization, grammar, and usage