EOC English II

Thoughts about the EOC Test as we approach the BIG DAY

April 1, 2015

Test Structure

• 10-12 reading passages altogether – the passages will cover every type of literature that we have read this year!

– Literary• Fiction• Literary Nonfiction• Poetry• Drama• Media Literacy

– Informational• Expository• Persuasive• Procedural• Media Literacy

Reading – 28 questions(worth 1 point each) – 30% Writing Section – 22 questions (1 point each) – 24%

2 Short Answer Responses – 9 points each – 20% 1 Composition – 24 points – 26%

92 total points available

Breaking it Down• Category 1: Understanding/Analysis Across Genres

– 6 multiple choice, 2 short answer• Category 2: Understanding/Analysis of Literary Texts

– 11 Multiple Choice• Category 3: Understanding/ Analysis of Informational

Texts – 11 Multiple Choice

• Category 4: Composition– Persuasive

• Category 5: Editing – 11 Multiple Choice

Divide Your Time

• 5 hours total – PACE YOURSELF– 1 hour on essay– 1.5 hours on short answers (30 minutes for each – part of

this time will be spent reading the 3 passages referenced in the questions)

– 1 hour on the Reading section (28 questions – this should give you enough time to read remaining 2-3 passages twice)

– 1 hour on Writing Section (22 questions – take the time to read the 4-5 passages)

– 30 minutes – use this time for bathroom breaks, to stretch, collect your thoughts, eat a snack, etc.

Dictionary

• Look up words you don’t know!!• Especially if it is a vocabulary question• You will have to share dictionaries, but don’t

get bogged down waiting for one…..skip the question and then come back when it is your turn.

Your impression of the passages

• BORING• No action• Not entertaining

• Don’t confuse a lack of action and entertainment as boring.

• Guess what? They DID NOT create this test to ENTERTAIN you.

The Passages

• What do you know about living life?

• Read with your pencil in hand

• When finished, ask yourself:– What does this teach about life?– What is the BIGGER LIFE LESSON?

All the passages will:

• Have literary based questions– Literature words• Theme• Tone• Characterization• Metaphor• Infer• Symbolism• Message What the author is saying through

passage?• Purpose What they want you to think about?

Shades of Meaning

• Vocabulary questions

• Looking for the best answer

• These questions are tricky – don’t be lulled into a false sense of security!!!

Fiction

• Like the stuff you read in your English class.• Recognize the plot line• Understand character motivation• Look for theme, tone, symbolism, etc.

Poetry

• Think of poetry as an abbreviated story….only the highlights.

• What emotions do the images show?– That’s where the questions will come from

Drama

• Just like the fiction• Pay attention to the stage directions!• Seriously, read EVERYTHING on the page.

Even dates and captions of pictures.

Non-fiction

• Reflective essay– Will be expository

• Article– What’s the topic?– What are the supporting details?– What’s the significance of the details used?– How is the passage organized?

This is the format for the ESSAY PROMPT. Read all of it, but be very sure that you respond to the actual prompt!

Persuasive Prompt• Have convincing ideas & convince the grader without begging• You must choose a side! Clearly state your side in the thesis

statement. This should be right after your hook….the last sentence of your 1st paragraph.– No walking the fence!!!

• The next paragraph should be your evidence. Here, you PROVE your point….think…..ethos, pathos, logos. You must give evidence – make sure that it is real world evidence! Don’t make up facts.

• Don’t forget to address the counterargument and then SLAM it!• In your conclusion, restate your thesis and then give a call to

action. What do you hope the reader will now do with this information?