PowerPoint Document Version
EILAND'S ONLINE ENGLISH CLASSES

fractal
art courtesy of
Janet Preslar, FrActivity

How to Take a Test

BASICS- ALL COURSES

  • Read primary source material
  • Understand its formalistic elements-- the basic plot or theme.
  • Look at topic instructor has focused on for that assignment
  • Reread the primary source looking for that thematic element
  • Highlight or underline passages that seem important or useful
  • Make one- or two-word notations in margin that tells you its importance
    • Quote
    • Literary Term
  • Apply Literary Terms specific to your course material
    • English 101
      • Symbolism
      • Character
      • Theme
    • English 103 and Literature Courses
      • Critical Perspectives
      • Secondary Sources
  • Highlight or underline passages that seem important or useful
  • Make one- or two-word notations in margin that tells you its importance

BEFORE TEST

  • Bring Supplies
    • Blue Book
    • Pen
    • Resources printed out
  • Look again at the Prompt (will always be provided in advance)
  • Talk to other students
    • Share ideas
    • Don't change your idea to fit theirs - use this as a way to get you thinking
  • Go over your analysis one last time

DURING TEST

  • Reread the prompt
  • Think again about your response
  • Check your highlighted areas
  • Try an outline
  • Then begin writing

WHAT NOT TO DO

  • Don't come unprepared
  • Don't try to make points you don't understand
  • Don't start writing the essay without an idea as to what you want to say
  • Don't simply focus on plot - I know what happened
  • Don't stare at the wall hoping for inspiration
  • Don't ask another student anything during a test
  • Don't read the story during the test
  • Don't change your mind mid-essay
  • Don't give me a plot summary
  • Don't forget that this is an English class, and grammar counts.

WHAT TO DO

  • Get some ideas down on paper before you begin the essay
  • Have a solid thesis statement
  • Find support in the story and stick to the thesis statement and its support
  • Skip lines
  • Use directly quoted text
  • Use a pen
  • Stay on your plan

ORGANIZE

  • Decide in which order your points will go
  • Put best point last
  • Know what quote you will use to support your point
  • Look at thesis again--does it get supported by each paragraph of body?
  • Have a real intro
    • No detail
    • No list
    • Clear thesis
  • Put detail in body
    • Use examples
    • Use text
    • Refer to literary analysis as requested by test prompt
  • Have a real conclusion
    • No detail
    • No lists
    • Summary of your point
    • Projection
  • Remember this is timed (80 minutes)
  • See me for help if all else fails

© Mr. Thomas T. Eiland. 1998-2018
Last modified March 6, 2017