Multiple Choice
About how long should it take you to complete each passage of the multiple choice questions?
20 minutes per passage (3 to bracket, 7 to read, 10 to answer the questions)
What is a claim? What are arguments?
A claim is the writer's main position on a debatable topic. It does not use personal pronouns, takes a clear side-- is not "in the middle"--, and restates the topic question using the exact same wording. Arguments are the reasons a writer gived to support their claim.
What is a central idea?
What is the sentence starter for central idea?
A central idea is the writer's universal message to the reader. It is the lesson the author wants to teach us about life.
Sometimes in life...
It is no more than 2 sentences
It gives examples
It is specific and detailed
It connects directly to your claim sentence
Which section of the ELA Regents should you complete first? Why?
Complete the argumentative essay first, since it is the longest section of the exam, and so you do not get fatigued (tired/burnt out)
Next, complete the multiple choice, since it is the second longest section
Lastly, complete the text-analysis, since it is the shortest section of the exam
1. Read the question to determine what it is asking you to look for & where it is asking you to go in the text
2. Bracket 2 lines above and 2 lines below the lines referenced in the question
3. Label the question number and annotate what the question is asking using shorthand
Give an overview of the argumentative essay structure. How many paragraphs long is the essay, and what is the purpose of each paragraph?
The argumentative essay is 5 paragraphs
Paragraph 1: Introduction: states the background, thesis, opposing claim, and rebuttal WITHOUT giving evidence
Paragraph 2: Body 1: introduces the first argument, supporting it with relevant evidence and detailed reasoning (CCERC)
Paragraph 3: Body 2: introduces the second argument, supporting it with relevant evidence and detailed reasoning
Paragraph 4: Body 3: acknowledges the opposing claim using evidence, then explains why the opposing claim is weak with a stronger rebuttal. There must be rebuttal evidence and rebuttal reasoning
Paragraph 5: Conclusion: restates the claim, summarizes the essay's main points, and leaves the reader with a call to action
What 3 writing strategies do we look for in every text?
Setting
Conflict
Characterization
How many sentences of reasoning do you need in each paragraph?
2 sentences
How do you score a 6/6 on the argumentative essay?
Have a clear claim and supportive arguments
Choose 4 pieces of strong, relevant evidence from at least 3 texts
Analyze evidence using detailed reasoning (analysis, not summary)
Acknowledge the opposing claim and thoroughly refute it with a stronger rebuttal
Avoid grammatical and spelling errors. INDENT after every paragraph
What is the rule for process of elimination?
2 choices will be crazy
1 will be close
1 will be correct
How many texts do you need to cite evidence from in order to pass the argument section?
AT LEAST 3 TEXTS
(If it's less than 3, you get a 3)
Use the evidence-only outline to map out your evidence before writing your essay
How do you find a central idea?
Reread the ending of the story and identify the lesson that the main character learns
OR
As you read, identify common themes in the story. Afterward, figure out what the main conflict teaches you about the theme
What sentence starters do you use to write your reasoning?
"This shows how..."
"This is important because..."
How do you score a 4/4 on the text-analysis essay?
Identify an accurate, thoughtful, and theme-based central idea
Identify an accurate writing strategy in the text (setting, conflict, characterization)
Choose 2 pieces of relevant, supportive evidence (one that supports the central idea, & one that supports the writing strategy)
Explain how the writer uses the writing strategy to develop the central idea with detailed reasoning (2 sentences of "This shows how..." + "This is important because..." with PICS)
How many texts are there on the multiple choice section, and what are their genres?
3 Texts
Passage A: Fiction
Passage B: Poetry
Passage C: Nonfiction
How do you write the opposing claims paragraph?
State the Opposing Claim: Some people say...
Opposing Evidence [DO NOT ANALYZE]
State the Rebuttal: However, opponents fail to realize...
Give STRONG Rebuttal Evidence
Explain Rebuttal in 2 Sentences of Reasoning
End with a Concluding Sentence
What is the structure of the text-analysis essay? What is the purpose of each paragraph?
The text-analysis essay is 2 paragraphs.
Paragraph 1: explains how the central idea is shown with supportive evidence and detailed reasoning
Paragraph 2: explains how the writer uses ONE writing strategy to develop the central idea-- reasoning MUST link back to the central idea
What does PICS stand for, and how is it used?
PICS stands for
Positive or Negative
If, Then
Cause and Effect
Specific Words
PICS is used to expand reasoning to be more detailed instead of repeating the same ideas over and over, Rather than summarizing the evidence, you use one PICS strategy in your second sentence of reasoning to give examples of why the evidence is important to proving your point
What is the date and time of your exam?
Tuesday, Jan 20th at 9:00am
How many points is the multiple choice section worth on your exam?
24 points
How long is the introduction, and how is it written?
Background: Recently, there has been a debate about ________
Thesis Statement: Claim [because] Argument 1 [and] Argument 2
Opposing Claim & Rebuttal: Although some people say that [Opposing Claim] because [Counterargument], opponents fail to realize [Rebuttal]
Explaining HOW the writing strategy shows the central idea
How do you give context before introducing your evidence?
(Ex. For background...; Experts on the topic explain how...)
How many points is each section of the exam worth?
MC - 24 pts
Arg - 24 pts
T.A. - 8 pts