1. Writing Exams

2. Overview Plan your time  2 hours + 1 hour extra  Recommended times per section 25 minutes + 50% = 37.5 minutes Check details  “Stand Alone Text”

3. Title Tone  “User friendly pencil”: light-hearted Key words  “Ode” a poetic form (see quizlet flashcards for definition)

4. Structure and Organization Check out the form  Short paragraphs  Poem  How-to or “Process”

5. General Advice Read text thoroughly Check title & structure

6. Multiple Choice Questions 4 options 2 obviously not true Distractor First questions very specific  Refers to particular line or paragraph Later questions interpretive

7. Paragraph Instructions

8. Overview Read instructions  Formal paragraph Indent first line No line breaks before end of paragraph

9. Paragraphing Word count a guide  Don't waste time counting Structure reminder  Introductory sentence  Concluding sentence  5-8 body sentences

10. Best Practices Good examples from text  Relate directly to question Clear, logical explanations Good sentence structure, spelling & punctuation Transitions

11. Why?  Demonstrates mastery of paragraph writing  Creates good movement between parts  Makes easy to read for reader/marker Examples  To be sure  Nevertheless  In addition

12. Question Structure “Irony”  Key objective  Not to explain article, but to explain irony Question structure  “First parts are subordinate to the last clause” (Last clause most important)

13. Quotes support your analysis Set of examples  Illustrates concept of irony 2-3 short quotations  Very short  Blend into your sentences  Introduce the quotes, explain afterwards  Use paragraph # in ( )

14. Short Essay

15. Structure Two short essays Comparison Extended written response

16. Essay Instructions Multi-paragraph essay  3 or more paragraphs Introductory paragraph Concluding paragraph Minimum Minimum 2 body paragraphs Word count a guide Single-spaced recommendation for handwritten exams

17. Planning Informal plan  Web, mind map  List Previews your argument Frees mind for writing Allows for adaptation during writing

18. Essay Quality Good examples Clear, logical explanation Good spelling and punctuation Transitions  In command of material  Easy reading

19. “Command words” Contrast  Focus on differences Compare  Focus on similarities

20. Strategies Refer to both texts Make a table  List differences in each text  Write “block” style (all of one text)  “Side-by-side style (example from one text, the the other text; next example from one text, etc.) Gold Mountain CoatWordsmith

21. Table for compare or contrast Gold Mountain Coat Wordsmith Father laughs with son Father speaks rarely Demonstrates affection easily No demonstration of affection

22. The Essay

23. Criteria Same length and worth (marks) Different question and style May use first person (“I” “we”) May agree, disagree, or partial agreement

24. Previewing the Essay Question Instructions  4 paragraphs minimum (disregard “3- paragraph minimum)  Introductory paragraph (include thesis)  Longer concluding paragraph  Minimum  Minimum 2 body paragraphs

25. Planning Avoid meltdown Stream of conciousness not enough

26. Differences More personal Style choice  Any appropriate method of development Exposition, persuasion, description, narration Narrative rarely attempted

27. Narrative essay Based on real event Responds directly to question Well written

28. Descriptive essay Difficult to write within time constraints  Not recommended Detailed descriptions Rich imagery

29. Expository essay Explains  Definition,  Cause and effect,  Process,  Classification

30. Persuasive Essay Uses reason and logic to persuade the reader to a certain point of view or particular action Provides evidence  May be personal experience Counter opposing view

31. Topic is an Assertion Include assertion in thesis sentence Three possibilities:  Support assertion  Disagree with assertion  Partial or complex agreement Combine opposing ideas persuasively Avoid being contradictory

32. Topic analysis Appears reasonable Complex responses  Can you minimize effect of assertion?  Can you show it is incomplete?  Can you demonstrate that it is “too even- handed”?