Key terms and test taking strategies
What should you do before reading the passage?
Scan and read the questions so you know what to look for in the passage.
What is Pathos?
Emotional appeal!
What is the central idea of this passage?
Before you put on that skeleton costume and rove door-to-door pandering for candy, take a minute to reflect on this tradition. Halloween is believed to have come from an ancient Celtic festival dating back some 2,000 years. November 1st was the Celtic New Year and marked the end of summer to the Celts. They celebrated on its eve by wearing costumes made of animal skins and dancing around bon fires. Over the next two millennia, this primitive celebration grew to be the candy fueled costume ball that we know today.
The origins of Halloween.
What is the central problem of a story called?
The conflict
The short response is graded out of how many points?
2
In the "bullseyes" format, what two colors do you want to narrow your choices down to? AND what should you do with the other two choices?
Red and yellow! Eliminate the other two choices.
What is logos?
Using facts, logic or statistics to persuade an audience.
What is the main idea of this passage?
Being a clown isn't all fun and games. Rodeo clowns expose themselves to great danger every time they perform. When cowboys dismount or bulls buck them off, rodeo clowns jump in front of the bulls and motion wildly to get their attention. In this way rodeo clowns provide an alternate target, and in doing so protect the rider. Of course, this is a very dangerous thing to do. So you see, sometimes clowning around can be serious business.
Rodeo Clowns protect cowboys by putting themselves in danger.
What is the exposition of a story?
The beginning of the story where characters, setting and some conflict is introduced.
When the state exam ask you to provide DETAILS, What should you put into your response?
Quotes from the passage!
If the phrase "the author is describing" is in one of the answer choices. What should you be looking for?
Descriptive Language!
What is Ethos?
Using ethics and experts to help persuade its audience.
What is the main idea of this passage?
. Sometime in December of 1891, Dr. James Naismith was teaching gym at the YMCA College in Springfield, Massachusetts. It was raining, and Dr. Naismith was trying to keep his students active. He wanted them playing a vigorous game that would keep them moving. He rejected a few ideas that were too rough. Then Naismith had his breakthrough. He wrote out the rules for a game with peach baskets fixed to ten-foot elevated tracks. Naismith's students played against one another, passing the ball around and shooting it into the peach baskets. Dribbling wasn't a part of the original game. Also it took a while to realize that the game would run more smoothly if the bottoms of the baskets were removed. But this game grew to be one of the most popular sports in America today.
The invention of basketball.
Define THEME.
The moral lesson of a story. It is universal and can be applied to the world.
After you provide evidence, what should you always include next and what phrase can you use?
Always explain the quote with details. You can use this shows, this reveals, or this demonstrates...
What is the authors claim?
The author's personal opinion about a certain subject. The author uses evidence and rhetoric to help support the claim.
"If we don't move soon, we're all going to die! Can't you see how dangerous it would be to stay?"
Pathos
What's that humming sound? Could it be the hummingbird, the only bird capable of backward flight? Hummingbirds have many unique flight habits that distinguish them from other birds. Most birds flap their wings up and down to fly, but the hummingbird moves its wings forward and backward very rapidly in a figure eight pattern. This allows the hummingbird to hover in position. They can also fly upside down and move about very rapidly. Other birds have to push off with their feet to begin flying and work their ways up to their top speeds. The hummingbird can both start flying at maximum speed and stop flying instantaneously. Once you've seen a hummingbird in flight, it's unlikely that you'll mistake them for another bird.
The hummingbird flies in a unique and unusual way.
WHY was our short story this year, "Flowers for Algernon" FICTION?
The science experiment was not ethical or real and the characters were made to help develop an unrealistic plot.
How many pieces of evidence should you provide in your response?
TWO! Always TWO.
Why do these things always happen to me?, Brad wondered. First I forget an important meeting, and nobody reminds me until it’s over. Then my boss dumps a big project on my desk and wants it done by yesterday. And to top everything off, I leave my wallet on the bus.
Which word most clearly expresses the tone in each passage.
A. Comic
B. Self-pitying
C. Optimistic
What is self-pitying?
What rhetoric is being used here?
Ladies and gentlemen of the jury: we have not only the fingerprints, the lack of an alibi, a clear motive, and an expressed desire to commit the robbery… We also have video of the suspect breaking in. The case could not be more open and shut."
LOGOS!
Remember, if something is worth doing, it is worth doing correctly. That said, the key to making perfect cookies is merely a matter of preparation and precision. To begin with, read your cookie recipe thoroughly before baking. Make sure that you have all the necessary ingredients before you continue. Next, use good tools and utensils. Sometimes, the craftsperson is only as good as his or her tools. By using good tools you minimize mistakes and improve the quality of your product. Last, use top quality ingredients. Unlike characters in fairytales, you can't turn lead into gold. If you use poor quality materials, you'll create inferior products. So, to make perfect cookies you should use the highest quality materials available. Bon appetite!
The importance of using the right ingredients, directions and tools to make the perfect cookies.
Sometimes the state exam will ask you to describe the author's tone. Define what tone is.
The author's attitude towards the subject!
What acronym can help you write your short response?
RACE
RAFT
or TWR MODEL: T.S 1 2 3 Conclusion