ELA REGENTS COMPONENTS & TEST STRATEGY
How many total parts are on the ELA Regents exam?
Answer:
There are three parts on the ELA Regents exam.
What is the purpose of the argument essay on the Regents?
Answer:
To argue a claim using evidence from the article.
The main point or message that applies to many people, not just the narrator.
What is a central Idea?
Giving human qualities to non-human things.
What is personification?
An author's strategic use of words
What is diction?
What type of text is Passage A in Part 1?
Answer:
Passage A is fiction.
What is the first part of the introduction called?
Answer:
The hook.
Can you use characters' names or other pronouns (I, he, they..) in a central idea? Why?Why not?
Answer:
No. Central ideas should be universal, not personal nor should pronouns. They can be used in the explanation.
What is imagery?
Language that appeals to the five senses.
“Her smile could light up the entire city.”
Identify Writing Strategy and Central Idea
Hyperbole/ Imagery
Happiness and positivity are powerful.
Being kind is important.
What type of text is Passage B in Part 1?
Answer:
Passage B is a poem.
Which part of the introduction acknowledges the other side’s opinion?
Answer:
Intro of the counterclaim.
What is a common first step when analyzing a passage for central idea or any other passage?
Preview the text and read the title and headings. year of publication...etc.
A comparison without using “like” or “as”.
What is a metaphor?
Times and place of the story.
Example: Verona, Italy- 1400's
What is setting?
What type of text is Passage C in Part 1?
Answer:
Passage C is informational (nonfiction).
Where should the thesis statement be placed?
Answer:
At the end of the introduction paragraph.
Why should you annotate while reading Part 3?
Answer:
To highlight key details, central idea, and confusing parts for writing a strong response.
Hints in the text about what will happen later.
What is foreshadowing?
“The fire station burned down last night.”
and
“He claimed to hate technology but spent hours on his smartphone.”
are examples of what writing strategy?
Irony!!
Possible Central Ideas:
Sometimes, life is unpredictable and ironic.
Actions often contradict words.
Which Regents part is weighted the most and why?
Answer:
Part 1 and Part 2 are weighted the most because they are each worth 24 weighted points.
What must every body paragraph include to earn higher rubric point
Answer:
A topic sentence,
Intro to evidence "In the text, "The Relaxing..." the author argues...
evidence, "Your quote"
and analysis (paraphrase and connect explanation to claim).
What is a strategy for organizing your ideas before writing your response?
Answer:
Create a quick outline: writing strategy --- central idea → evidence → explanation.
When the opposite of what is expected actually happens or is said.
What is irony?
In Macbeth: When Macduff says, “Turn, hellhound, turn!” What literary device is this?
Metaphor / imagery – comparing Macbeth to a hellhound.
hound=dog
Why should students preview the passage before answering multiple-choice questions?
Answer:
Previewing helps students understand the topic,and gives an overall idea of what is will be about.
Why must students explain their evidence after quoting the article?
Answer:
To show understanding and connect evidence to the claim.
How does identifying figurative language help in Part 3?
It shows how the author develops theme or central idea using writing strategies.
An object, person, thought or event that represents a bigger idea.
What is symbolism?
“The wind whispered secrets through the trees.”
identify a literary device(s) and a central idea.
Personification/ imagery/ figurative language.
Central Idea: Nature can feel alive and influence our emotions.
What is the BEST strategy if two multiple-choice answers seem correct?
Answer:
Eliminate the answer that is too extreme, too specific, or not fully supported by the text.
What does the counterclaim paragraph prove to the grader?
Answer:
That the writer understands both sides of the argument.
If you can,
Why should you reread the passage after annotating?
Answer:
To make sure you understand the text fully before answering. or maybe to select your evidence.
What is the difference between simile and metaphor?
A simile uses “like” or “as,” a metaphor does not. It is a direct comparison.
What annotation strategy should students use while reading Part 1 passages?
Answer:
Students should underline key details, circle unknown words, and jot notes about the central idea.
In part 2- argument essay, a student must use evidence from how many texts? what is the highest score a student can receive if he/she does not use that minimum amount of evidence?
Students must use evidence from three (3) different sources(texts) throughout their writing.
The most a student can recieve if they do not use evidence from three different sources is 3.
What is the difference between central idea and theme?
Answer:
Central idea is the main message/lesson of the text, theme is the morale often implied (within the central idea).
central idea is like the “big picture statement”. Theme is like the label or shorthand for that idea.
In Macbeth: “I will not yield to kiss the ground before young Malcolm’s feet…” Which literary device and central idea are shown?
Device: Imagery / dramatic speech (diction)
Central Idea: ...the central idea that some people value pride and defiance, even when facing death.
What is the highest point you can receive on an essay and how many points does that transfer to in you overall score?
6 points is the highest a student can receive on an argument essay. Then, it is multiplied by 4 (6x4=24 points)
A student writes/uses evidence but gives no explanation. Which rubric category is most affected?
Answer:
Analysis/Development (because ideas are not fully explained or connected to the claim).
“The serpent that did sting thy father’s life now wears his crown.”
Speaker / Context: Ghost of King Hamlet to Hamlet; revealing Claudius’s murder.
Identify writing strategy and central idea
Literary Device: Metaphor, imagery
Central Idea: Betrayal corrupts leadership and destabilizes morality.
or, people do anything for power, even killing close ones.
A student earns a 3 on Part 2 and a 3 on Part 3. What is the student’s total weighted writing score?
Answer:
Part 2: 3 × 4 = 12
Part 3: 3 × 2 = 6
Total = 18 weighted points
How many claims must you establish in your thesis?
Respond to this claim:
Should plastic bags be banned?
A student must establish a minimum of 2 claims.
Plastic bags should be banned because they cause pollution and are harmful to marine life.
Hamlet is alone, thinking about whether it is better to live and suffer or to die and escape his pain. He is confused, afraid, and struggling to decide what he should do about his life and his problems.
he says, " to be or not to be, that's the question"
Write a text analysis claim.
Shakespeare uses point of view to develop the central idea that some people contemplate death when experiencing times of grief.