Writing Exams

Overview

Plan your time 2 hours + 1 hour extra Recommended times per section

25 minutes + 50% = 37.5 minutes

Check details “Stand Alone Text”

Title

Tone “User friendly pencil”: light-hearted

Key words “Ode” a poetic form (see quizlet

flashcards for definition)

Structure and Organization

Check out the form Short paragraphs Poem How-to or “Process”

General Advice

Read text thoroughly Check title & structure

Multiple Choice Questions

4 options 2 obviously not true Distractor First questions very specific

Refers to particular line or paragraph Later questions interpretive

Paragraph Instructions

Overview

Read instructions Formal paragraph

Indent first line No line breaks before end of paragraph

Paragraphing

Word count a guide Don't waste time counting

Structure reminder Introductory sentence Concluding sentence 5-8 body sentences

Best Practices

Good examples from text Relate directly to question

Clear, logical explanations Good sentence structure, spelling &

punctuation Transitions

Transitions

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

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)

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 ( )

Short Essay

Structure

Two short essays Comparison Extended written response

Essay Instructions

Multi-paragraph essay 3 or more paragraphs

Introductory paragraph Concluding paragraph

MinimumMinimum 2 body paragraphs

Word count a guide Single-spaced recommendation for

handwritten exams

Planning

Informal plan Web, mind map List

Previews your argument Frees mind for writing Allows for adaptation during writing

Essay Quality

Good examples Clear, logical explanation Good spelling and punctuation Transitions

In command of material Easy reading

“Command words”

Contrast Focus on differences

Compare Focus on similarities

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.)

Table for compare or contrast

Gold Mountain Coat Wordsmith

Father laughs with son

Father speaks rarely

Demonstrates affection easily

No demonstration of affection

The Essay

Criteria

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

Previewing the Essay Question

Instructions 4 paragraphs minimum (disregard “3-

paragraph minimum) Introductory paragraph (include thesis) Longer concluding paragraph

MinimumMinimum 2 body paragraphs

Planning

Avoid meltdown Stream of conciousness not enough

Differences

More personal Style choice

Any appropriate method of development Exposition, persuasion, description,

narration

Narrative rarely attempted

Narrative essay

Based on real event Responds directly to question Well written

Descriptive essay

Difficult to write within time constraints Not recommended

Detailed descriptions Rich imagery

Expository essay

Explains Definition, Cause and effect, Process, Classification

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

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

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”?