The Argument
The typical number of paragraphs in the argumentative essay.
What is 5?
This is the number of paragraphs in a typical textual analysis.
What is 2?
3 is also acceptable.
This is the number of multiple choice questions on the regents.
What is 24?
Students should not be "punished for their free speech rights."
BAD: There is no citation!
Skip a multiple choice question if you are not sure.
The minimum number of texts you need to cite for the argumentative essay.
What is 3?
These are the two things you must write about for the text analysis.
What are the central idea and the literary device?
True or false: The argument is worth more points than the multiple choice?
What is false? They are both worth 24 points.
When eating porridge, it is best to be careful to avoid "spilling boiling beans all over your lap" (Text).
BAD: There is no text number!
Start your exam by writing your text analysis.
DON'T: You should save the text analysis for last, as it is worth the least amount of points by a factor of 3.
The paragraph for which this signal phrase should be used: On the other hand, some people may argue that...
What is the counterclaim?
These are the two things you must mention in your analysis of tone, if you choose it as your device.
What are the type of tone, and its effect?
This is the amount of time you should spend on the multiple choice.
What is 45-60 minutes?
If 1.5x time then 60-90 minutes.
If 2x time then 90-120 minutes.
According to text 2, "Schools starting just one hour later improves test scores by 36 percent."
BAD: This does not include a paranthetical citation.
Bubble in your multiple choice in pencil, and complete all writing in pen.
True or false and explain:
The matter should be more sentences than the mean?
What is true because the matter often requires 2-3 sentences as it is the portion of deepest analysis?
These are the two things you must include in your analysis of metaphor/simile, if you choose one as your device.
Double or Nothing: In what sections of the paragraph would this analysis happen?
What are the two things being compared, and the effect of the comparison.
Double or Nothing: Which two things were being compared would be in the mean, and the effect would be in the matter.
These are the three types of passages for multiple choice on the regents.
What are 1)Fiction 2)Poem 3)Non-fiction?
Many experts believe that "...Math is better than ELA" (Text 3).
BAD:
1) Math is NOT better than ELA
2) You do not use an ellipses (...) at the start of a quote.
Cite text numbers in parentheses even when citing the same text for the second time.
DO: ALWAYS CITE TEXTS AFTER QUOTES!!!!!
These are the two things included in a typical topic sentence for a body paragraph.
What are a restating of the main claim AND one reason?
EX: Schools must be allowed to regulate free speech (CLAIM) to maintain order in the classrooms (1 reason).
This is the EXACT suggestion we gave you for the first sentence of the text analysis.
What is:
In the text (title), the author uses (device) to develop the idea that (central idea).
Which two devices are used in the passage:
In the mystical fragrance filled air/ the aroma of cinnamon tickled my nostrils./ So I danced/ upon the shoulders of my powdered angel.
A) Imagery and 3rd Person POV
B) Imagery and Irony
C) Personification and Simile
D) Imagery and Personification
What is choice D?
As strong students all agree, "ELA is objectively the most wonderful subject... all of its innumerable benefits bring students such joy and merriment!" (Text 4).
GOOD: You are allowed to quote punctuation, but you must still put a period after the citation. Also, this is the correct use of an ellipses (...).
Bring extra materials like highlighters, a snack, and some water.
DO: You should bring all the materials with which you like to write and annotate, as things like highlighters are not guaranteed to be available.