PREPARING FOR THE FINAL INCLASS WRITING EXAM Writing II
DETAILS: The exam is from 9:00-12:00 on Monday, May 19. Be to the exam room at least 5 minutes early so you are prepared to begin at 9:00. The exam will end promptly at 12:00, so keep track of time throughout the exam. Be sure to bring several sharpened or, preferably, mechanical pencils with nice erasers. Remember, the only thing you can bring with you in the exam room are pencils and erasers. Do not bring phones, pencil cases, etc. to the exam room.
DIRECTIONS: You will write two paragraphs: 1. a compare OR contrast paragraph 2. a definition paragraph You will have a few choices for each paragraph. Read the choices fairly quickly and make your choice. Don’t spend too much time pondering over every option. If you don’t understand an option or it doesn’t appeal to you, skip it. There are plenty to choose from. This is a timed exam, so working quickly and following directions is part of what you’re being tested on! Teachers and invigilators will not answer questions.
DIRECTIONS: You must include a brainstorm and outline for each paragraph. Plan to spend about 10 minutes brainstorming for each paragraph. Remember, careful thinking is the key to well-organized writing. You probably will have enough time to write a rough draft and a final draft, too, but don’t panic if you run out of time. Two drafts are not required. Be sure to label your final draft so I can find it easily. Remember, you may not ask questions during the exam unless there is a typo in the directions.
YOUR PARAGRAPHS MUST INCLUDE: A topic sentence Supporting details (at least 3 with examples) A conclusion Remember, your paragraphs don’t need to be very long, but they do need to include these elements. I will grade your paragraphs using the same paragraph rubric we used for the first three assignments.
YOUR PARAGRAPHS WON’T BE PERFECT! This is a timed exam, and I’m aware of this! Your paragraphs certainly will not be as refined as the ones you’ve taken home. We take that into consideration as we grade. If you don’t know how to spell a word, just guess. Spelling is only worth a very small amount, and chances are that I will know what you are trying to write. Try to give yourself at least 15 minutes at the end of the exam to proof read your work.
SOME ADVICE: Be sure to skip lines as you write. This will make it easier for the reader (me), but it will also give you a chance to squeeze in text when you are in the final stages. After you brainstorm, write your working topic sentence. Fill in any details you can in your outline. Then begin writing the paragraph.
MOST IMPORTANTLY: Don’t be nervous. You’ve done this all before. I have never had a student not finish the exam and nobody who has tried has ever failed. Prepare yourself mentally before the exam: get a good night’s sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and get your heart rate up in the morning. Be confident. You know how to write a strong paragraph!
PREPARATION:
There isn’t much studying you can do. This exam shows all of your English skills. All of your assignments in all of your classes were your preparation! You might briefly review: the lists of transition words for compare/ contrast on pages 115 and 118 in IAW and page120 in DCS the types of organization for compare/ contrast paragraphs on page 111 in IAW and page 127 in DCS The grammar skills on page 124 in DCS are very helpful ways to write a topic sentence for a definition paragraph on page 127 in IAW.
Pay careful attention to the language used in the topics you choose and use some of that language, especially key words, directly in your topic sentences. Spend some time thinking about your strengths and weaknesses as writers. During the exam, show off your strengths and avoid your weaknesses!