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Taking Examinations on Literature. Alling ENC 1102 Ch. 25 Roberts & Zweig. Objectives. Memorization vs. Preparation Systematic preparation Study Develop & reinforce Anticipate & create q’s Two (2) basic types of q’s Responses evaluated Final tips for success.
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Taking Examinations on Literature Alling ENC 1102 Ch. 25 Roberts & Zweig
Objectives • Memorization vs. Preparation • Systematic preparation • Study • Develop & reinforce • Anticipate & create q’s • Two (2) basic types of q’s • Responses evaluated • Final tips for success
Memorization vs. Preparation Don’t assume you will remember everything we covered this semester. Instead, prepare . . .
Preparation means that you • Study the material assigned, in conjunction with the comments made in class by your instructor & by fellow students in discussion (Roberts and Zweig 1401);
Material Assigned & Comments = • syllabus • lecture notes • quizzes • papers • agendas & key terms/concepts on board • instructor comments during class • instructor comments on quizzes & papers • points made by classmates during discussion
“Preparation means that you 2. develop and reinforce your own thoughts” (Roberts and Zweig 1401);
Develop & Reinforce Your Thoughts = • “. . . week before exam, review each assignment, preferably rereading everything completely” • Study particular passages that were discussed in class • Review notes taken during those classes • Reinforcing week prior = better than cramming night before
“Preparation means that you 3. anticipate exam questions by creating and answering your own practicequestions” (Roberts and Zweig 1401);
Anticipate Questions = • Review/re-read works actively • what seems most important? • what elements are repeated? • what was emphasized in class? • what did I notice the 2nd time around? • Study with a classmate • gaps in note-taking • quizzing w/ Cornell method notes • stress relief
Anticipate questions = Consider level expected by instructor: • Beyond plot . . . literary devices used by author to evoke particular effects & to guide reader to view work certain way (characterization, structure, point of view, central ideas, etc.) • Beyond reader response . . . various approaches to interpreting literature (critical approaches) • Beyond summary . . . analyzing, comparing, arguing, researching, annotating, reviewing, & documenting literature & literary criticism (reasonable interpretation grounded in textual evidence & academic journals)
Create questions = Two (2) basic types of exam questions about literature: • Factual/objective • Comprehensive/subjective
Factual/Objective Questions • Multiple choice: • did you do the reading? • are you paying attention to how the test questions are phrased? • Identification: • how carefully did you read? • can you describe important details? • can you explain the significance of characters, situations, places, & quotes? • Technical: • did you acquire the technical knowledge & jargon to analyze a work for its literary devices?
Judging & Grading Factual/Objective Questions • How effectively you perceive & explain significant issues in question • How intelligently & clearly you organize your answer • How persuasively you link your answer to materials from the work as supporting evidence (Roberts & Zweig 1411)
Comprehensive/Subjective Questions • Direct: • did you achieve the course objectives? • do you understand the philosophy of the course? • Comment: • can you extrapolate a famous quotation or broad comment written by the instructor for the occasion? • Suppose: • can you adapt to a hypothetical question and invent an original answer?
Judging & Grading Comprehensive/Subjective Questions • demonstrate your power of thinking • formulate your own responses • introduce evidence that reflects your own insights & command of information (Roberts & Zweig 1411)
“Preparation means that you 4. understand the precise functionof the test” (Roberts and Zweig 1401).
Function of the test = • To assess your command over the course material (retention) • To assess how well you respond to a question or deal with an issue (writing & problem-solving) • To assess how well you draw conclusions about the material (reasoning & application) (Roberts & Zweig 1401)
Final tips for success • ATQ (Answer the Question) • Organize your ideas • Edit your sentences • Document your sources