NY State Regents Exam Writing Portion QUICK SHEET

The below examples taken from NY State Regents Exam given on 1/27/14, found at: http://nysedregents.org/ComprehensiveEnglish/114/engl12014-exam.pdf

This sheet pertains to the THREE writing sections known as 26,27,28. Some students find this section very difficult, but once you know exactly what to expect, you can master the questions and are ON YOUR WAY TO YOUR DIPLOMA!:

Question #26 The Controlling Idea Paragraph (minimum of 6 sentences)

Question #27 The Literary Element or Technique Paragraph (minimum of 6 sentences)

Question #28 The Critical Lens Essay (minimum of 4 paragraphs, each at least 5 sentences long)

Follow these guidelines and youll be sure to pass each question.

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QUESTION # 26: CONTROLLING IDEA PARAGRAPH

The test will give you a Controlling Idea (another word for theme). Theme is the central idea of the story.

The test will give you TWO passages. You must read both. Feel free to mark up wherever you see examples of the controlling idea in each passage.

You must write ONE paragraph that includes examples from BOTH passages. Follow the MEAL format (Main Idea, Example, Analysis, Example, Analysis, Link)

Here is a real example of what Question #26 looks like:

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QUESTION # 27: LITERARY ELEMENT/TECHNIQUE PARAGRAPH

The test will prompt you to write about a Literary Element or Technique. They will give you a list of choices. Best to pick either point of view OR figurative language (which can be metaphor, simile, or personification). Review what these mean in the glossary at the end of this document. ONLY PICK ONE.

You must DEFINE the literary element or technique you choose. The test will give you the SAME two passages as for Question 26. This time you will write ONE paragraph, but only choose ONE passage to write about. Follow the MEAL format

Here is a real example of what Question #27 looks like:

26 Write a well-developed paragraph in which you use ideas from both Passage I

(the short story excerpt) and Passage II (the poem) to establish a controlling idea

about insight. Develop your controlling idea using specific examples and details

from both Passage I and Passage II.

Here is in real example of what Question #26 looks like:

GGG

27 Choose a specific literary element (e.g., theme, characterization, structure, point

of view, etc.) or literary technique (e.g., symbolism, irony, figurative language,

etc.) used by one of the authors. Using specific details from either Passage I (the

short story excerpt) or Passage II (the poem), in a well-developed paragraph.

show how the author uses that element or technique to develop the passage.

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QUESTION # 28: CRITICAL LENS ESSAY

The test will prompt you with a quote known as the Critical Lens (another word for theme). You must rewrite the quote IN YOUR OWN WORDS, to show you know what it means. You must agree OR disagree with the quote and pick TWO OF YOUR OWN REFERENCES TO CITE.

You can not agree with the quote for one book and disagree with the quote for the other book. You must take a position and stick with it for both references you use.

You must use one literary element. Best to pick characterization (see glossary at the end of this document). You MUST define characterization in the Introductory paragraph.

You must write an entire essay, not a paragraph. Follow this format: Intro, Text #1, Text #2, Conclusion. Each paragraph should be at least five sentences long and can follow the MEAL format (see above), if that helps.Here is an

28 Critical Lens

Guidelines: Be sure to

Provide a valid interpretation of the critical lens that clearly establishes the criteria for analysis

Indicate whether you agree or disagree with the statement as you have interpreted it Choose two works you have read that you believe best support your opinion Use the criteria suggested by the critical lens to analyze the works you have chosen Avoid plot summary. Instead, use specific references to appropriate literary elements (for example: theme, characterization, setting, point of view) to develop your analysis

Organize your ideas in a unified and coherent manner Specify the titles and authors of the literature you choose Follow the conventions of standard written English

only when it is dark enough can you see the stars. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ive Been to the Mountaintop delivered at Mason Temple, Memphis, TN, April 3, 1968

GLOSSARY: Theme: The central idea of a story. Plot is what happens to the characters, but theme is what the story is about. Controlling Idea: another word for theme Critical Lens: another word for theme (phrased as a quote) Literary Techniques (for question 27, only pick ONE): Point of View: From whose perspective the story is told. First person when the author is the narrator. Always uses I or we. Third person is when the protagonist is someone other than the author. Always uses him, her, them. Figurative language: a) metaphor - comparing two different things, Ex. He is the black sheep of the family b) simile same as a metaphor, but uses like or as, Ex. He is like a black sheep to the family c) personification when a thing, idea, or animal is given human qualities. Ex. The sky weeps Literary Element (for question 28, Critical Lens): Characterization: How the author reveals the characters personality.