EOC Last Minute Reminders

1. EOCLast MinuteReminders 9th Grade ELA End of Course Monday – Tuesday, March 26-27

2. Monday - Writing • You will write three compositions: 1 Literary (short story) 2 Expository compare and contrast cause and effect description explanation

3. Writing Reminders • Focus on 1 or 2 ideas rather than listing many ideas • Develop each idea with specific examples, details and in-depth explanations • Include a short introduction and conclusion • Use the dictionary/thesaurus • Prewrite, prewrite, prewrite! • DO NOT WRITE MORE THAN THE 26 LINES PROVIDED Writing outside the margins, above the box, below the box or in excess of 26 lines will not be read and therefore not scored – your essay will appear incomplete!

4. Literary (short story) • Plot out your story before you write • Focus on one moment in time • Use details, but use them for a reason • Character details that explain why he/she acts a certain way • Setting details that serve some purpose in the story • Work toward your conclusion right from the beginning – Don’t just “stick it on” at the end because you are out of room • Do not use existing storylines or characters (no Spongebob or Batman!) • Write a story, not an expository essay

5. Literary Example • The girl stared into the mirror at what was supposed to be her reflection. “This can’t be right” she thought as she examined The Stranger more closely. It resembled her in the way that its light brown hair was up in a loose ponytail. Its dark chocolate eyes peered into her own. The height was right and even the bracelet on her wrist was identical. But the skin was too pale and on the face was a smirk that was foreign to The Girl. “Who are you?” The Girl questioned. “I’m you” The Stranger replied. “Well, I’m the person you sometimes yearn to be” it added. “You convince yourself from day to day that I’m not here and you ignore me constantly, but today you question who I really am and if I’m all that bad.” The Girl, realizing that she has given in to her most evil self, tries not to panic, not to give anymore leniency or authority to The Stranger. The Stranger stands and waits for The Girl to respond, all the while soaking up the unpleasant feelings and fear radiating off of The Girl. Suddenly, the unpleasant feelings transform into gladness and the fear morphs to sureness. The Stranger takes a step back and knows it has lost the battle. The Girl decrees, “As long as I live, I will never be overcome by you! I have a strong spirit that will be free to love and give forever. As for you, you’ll never go away. You’ll be my constant reminder of who I will NEVER be. You’ll NEVER get stronger or weaker. We will fight this battle as long as we must, but you’ll never be the victor!” As The Stranger slowly walked away, it turned its head ever so slightly, only to whisper, “I’ll see you tomorrow, then”.

6. Expository • Thesis statement must be included in your (short) introduction • Focus on one or two main ideas • Use specific details and examples to explore these ideas in depth • Think about word choice – avoid unnecessary words or repetitiveness • Remind the reader of your thesis in your (short) conclusion • After prewriting, read the prompt again to make sure you are answering the question asked

7. Expository Example • The five senses, without them mankind wouldn’t have accomplished anything. Confusion would overwhelm us all. Out of the five senses, the gift of hearing and sound is something most people can’t imagine living without. I for one, would have trouble finding comfort, understanding my environment, and communicating without the gift of hearing. • I use my ears as a tool to soothe myself through times of distress. With the help of music or the assuring words of my mother or father, I find comfort. For example, the mighty roar of waves crashing down to the surface is a sound I couldn’t live without. My love for the ocean is so strong, and with the help of sight, smell, and touch, I can enjoy the spectrum of color and salty sea air it has to offer. But without hearing the symphony of sound the ocean releases, I would feel uneasy in my skin and my stomach would churn. In addition, I would not be able to hear the pitter patter of footsteps on a wooden floor that signals someone is coming. I would not be able to hear the piercing scratch of a branch as it smacks a window and understand it is windy outside. As I’m getting ready, the drip drop of rain among the cool asphalt wouldn’t warn me to snatch a coat before I leave the house. Without hearing, my environment would be a mystery and communication would result in a world of everlasting misery. I wouldn’t be able to thank someone after they say “bless you” or ask a stranger what time it was. • In conclusion, my life would seem meaningless without the sense of hearing and sound. I would be difficult to find comfort in our cruel world or understand our ever-changing environment, or simply to use communication to say “goodbye.”

8. Editing • Some trouble spots to look for: • Subject-verb agreement – are both singular or both plural? • Verb tense agreement – is everything written in past or in present tense? • Capitals, periods, commas • Parallel structure • (I think, I write, I win. NOTI am thinking, I write and win.) • Unnecessary words / needless repetition • Lack of transitions, or illogical transitions

9. Tuesday - Reading • Read Short Answer Response questions first so you know what to look for as you read the selections • Annotate! Annotate! Annotate! • Reread passages you do not understand • Use the dictionary for unfamiliar words • Multiple Choice – Eliminate any obvious wrong answers first • Reread questions you do not understand (see a trend here?)

10. Short Answer Responses • You will write 2 short answer responses • Use complete sentences • Answer, Prove, Explain • Clearly state ONE specific idea • Support that idea with a SPECIFIC QUOTE • When a question asks about two selections, you must provide a quote from each selection • DO NOT WRITE MORE THAN 10 LINES

11. Example Single Selection Question • In this excerpt from Anne of Green Gables, do you think the stage directions enhance your understanding of the scene? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection.

12. Score Point 1 – Partially Sufficient • In “Anne of Green Gables” I believe the stage directions enhance the understanding of the scene. Some evidence to prove it is all of the first paragraph. It enhances the understanding of the scene by introducing the main character, setting the scene, and setting the mood. Without the stage directions it’s all confusing. Some more text evidence is all of paragraph 8. It enhances the scene by introducing a man who is to adopt Anne and what his character is like. In conclusion I believe the stage directions enhance the scene because without them it’s very confusing. Lacks specific quotes or examples

13. Score Point 1 – Partially Sufficient • Yes it does enhance my understanding, it describes Anne to me. It lets me know that she’s waiting for something or someone and that she might be unfortunate. “The child wears a too-large overcoat.” • Quote is not relevant to commentary – Does not prove that she is waiting for something and only vaguely relates to the idea that she might be unfortunate

14. Score Point 2 - Sufficient • The stage directions help a lot because you can create better pictures in your head about what is going on. When the story says “[Anne clutches her bag. She is terrified]” shows Anne is scared without Anne having to say it.

15. Score Point 3 - Exemplary • The stage directions do help to create an image of the scene in the play. In a short story or novel, authors use diction to describe the setting that the characters are in, which helps to paint a visual image in the reader’s mind. Likewise, descriptions in a play such as “a small figure, a child, sits on a battered suitcase” and directions that indicate who a character talking to such as “to Anne” help the reader see what is happening. Readers can definitely see the play being acted out in their minds, which helps them to understand the scenes better and connect with the characters.

16. Paired Selections Sample Question • How are the themes of “Those Winter Sundays” and “All My Babies are Gone Now” similar? Support your answer with evidence from both selections.

17. Score Point 1 – Partially sufficient • The themes from “Those Winter Sundays” and “All My Babies Are Gone” are similar in that they are both looking into past moments in their lives. “What did I know of love’s austere and lonely offices?” “I wish I had treasured the doing a little more…” • Idea is too general – quotes are not explained

18. Score Point 1 – Partially sufficient • Both themes suggest the authors regret not spending time with their loved ones. In the poem, the author spoke to his father “indifferently” which shows lack of feeling. And in “All My Babies Are Gone,” the author mentions her regret of not living in the moment with her kids. • Idea is good, but evidence is too general (no quote) for one of the selections.

19. Score Point 2 - Sufficient • Both authors show regret about their earlier life. In “Those Winter Sundays,” the author realizes that “No one ever thanked” his father for taking care of the family. In “My Babies Are Gone Now,” the author says, “I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less.”

20. Score Point 3 - Exemplary • Both themes are similar because both the child and mother in the selections feel remorse for not being able to appreciate who they have in front of them and not being able to take advantage of time. “No one ever thanked him.” The child acknowledges the fact that his father “with cracked hands that ached from labor” would wake up “in the blueblack cold” to provide warmth for his family, yet no one seems to be grateful for it. Time flew by for this mother; she didn’t get to cherish her three treasures because in the blink of an eye they turned into “three almost adults.”

21. You are ready! • Remember that this test is necessary for graduation . • If you take it seriously and remember what we have done in class, you will do well. • You have worked hard this year, and you are ready to show what you know!