| Exam
1 on the Vocabulary of Literary Analysis
You've read
some literature now and have written some argumentative essays. In
this exam you'll have an opportunity to demonstrate both your literary
analysis skills and your argumentative writing skills.
Part 1 of the
Exam: Literary Analysis
You will need to
know the list of
words listed in "Course
Information" under "Vocabulary of Literary Analysis."
You may want to begin by reviewing the definitions of each word and trying
to think of an example of each one from something you've
read. Some people find it most helpful to write a term on one
side of an index card and a definition and example on the back of it to test
themselves.
DO NOT TAKE
THIS EXAM LIGHTLY!
Prepare
carefully for it.
-
Review
your terms carefully.
-
Take the "Practice Quiz." Before
taking the practice exam,
read the short story, "The
Story of an Hour," by Kate Chopin. You may take it as many
times as you wish.
-
Review
any of the questions you got wrong and learn the term and how to apply
it before taking the exam.
When you're ready to take
the practice exam,
click on COURSE DOCUMENTS, then QUIZZES, then click on TAKE QUIZ button
under PRACTICE QUIZ FOR EXAM 1. The questions are similar to what you'll have to
do on this part of the exam in the Testing Center; however, in order to give
you immediate feedback, they are written in a multiple choice format. There will be no multiple choice questions on the exam itself.
All of
the questions will be short essay.
Part 2 of the
Exam: Argumentative Writing
You will have
two questions to answer about argumentative writing in this section of the
test. I'd like you to think about your answers before going to the
testing center.
1st Question:
| There
are many times in life when you need or want to state a
position and support it with arguments and specific examples to
persuade another person of the validity of your position. In a
short paragraph describe one instance in which you've done so and
explain how it worked out. |
2nd Question:
|
Briefly describe
a situation in which you might want to state a position and
support it to persuade someone else of the validity of your
position. It can be something that you would like to do now or
something you can imagine doing in the future. Try to choose a
situation that is likely to occur. You can write about
anything: convincing your parents that it's time for you to
move out and get your own apartment, asking your employer for a
raise, convincing your teenager that she or he shouldn't experiment
with drugs, etc.
Then write a
persuasive or argumentative letter to the person you
would like to persuade explaining what you want the person to do or believe.
As in all argumentative writing, you need to clearly state your
thesis, your supporting arguments, and specific examples to support
your arguments. No sources need to be cited. |
When you feel
you are almost ready to take the exam, read carefully the short story, "The
Lottery," by Shirley Jackson. As you do so, think about
how the literary terms you have used apply to it. You may take an unmarked
copy of "The Lottery" with you to use while taking the
exam. You will have to leave it with the Testing Center staff
when you leave, so they can forward it to me. If the copy of the story
you bring is marked in any way, you will not be allowed to use it during the
exam and that will hurt your performance considerably.
This exam is
a proctored exam. You must take this exam at one of the five NVCC campus
Testing Centers. See ELI
Policies and Procedures for Testing Center locations and phone numbers,
and for information about proctors for those who live outside the Northern
Virginia area. Call the Testing
Center before you go to make sure it will be open and will stay open long
enough for you to complete the exam, and to make sure that the testing
center is not having network problems.
| Plan on spending
two hours taking this exam. |
Take along a photo ID and the
appropriate Exam
Pass.
Good luck!
|