Test Prep: The Extended Response

You will have to write 2 essays on the test, on days 2 and 3.

I. Guidelines on answering the extended response:

1. Read question carefully; identify the theme/main idea. Underline important words to state in the thesis.
   
2. Read the passages with the question in mind. Annotate important details you can use in your question.
3. Reread the question. Think about the answer.
4. Figure out the best way to organize your essay. Write a brief outline.

Thesis:

1. 
   
2. 
   
3. (optional - depends on question)
   

5. Write a four-five paragraph essay, depending on the question.
6. Proofread!!!


II. Review of Essay Structure - next to each part, include more details about what it is and what it should include

Introductory Paragraph	Lead: 1st sentence should show main theme or topic; could be a simple, general statement about the topic Thesis Sentence: 1-2 sentences stating the main idea of essay; it is your theory. For the test, just restate question and answer it.
First Body Paragraph	Topic Sentence: transition + state main idea of paragraph textual evidence explain/elaborate conclude and connect to next paragraph
Second Body Paragraph	Topic Sentence
Third Body Paragraph (the number of body paragraphs depends on the thesis and purpose of your essay)	Topic Sentence
Concluding Paragraph (for the test, minimum 2 sentences)	New discoveries, lessons, and/or realizations about content Good first sentences: These texts make me realize... These texts teach me that... After reading these texts, I have realized that... I discovered while reading these texts that... These texts reveal... Relate back to main idea and most important details

* Read a student's 5-paragraph essay; it is really well-organized and detailed.

III. Transitions:

like, similar to, also, unlike, similarly, in the same way, likewise, again, compared to, in contrast, in like manner, contrasted with, on the contrary, however, although, yet, even though, still, but, nevertheless, conversely, at the same time, regardless, despite, while, on the one hand … on the other hand

IV. Compare and Contrast (aka the paired passage) - on the test, you will have to read 2 related passages and write both short and extended responses:

Thesis - write 1-2 sentences in which you restate the question, state the titles and authors of texts, and show the main connection between the two texts:
Examples:
The articles " " and " " are related because ...
Both " " and " " show that...


There are two main ways to organize this type of essay:

A) Text by text: discuss one text in one paragraph, the other text in another, then write one paragraph about both

Body paragraph 1:
The text " " shows that


Body paragraph 2: The second text " " shows that


Body paragraph 3: These texts are similar because... However, they are different because...


B) Point by point: focus on one similarity or difference between both texts in each paragraph

Body paragraph 1: One way these texts are similar is

Body paragraph 2: On the other hand, these texts differ because...


Conclusion for both: reflect on both texts and connect them back to the question


Sample question:

William Shakespeare created the well-known phrase "star-crossed lovers" to describe Romeo and Juliet; it means unlucky and ill-fated. Explain how this phrase applies to both Romeo and Juliet and to Katniss and Peeta in The Hunger Games.

Sample outline (you can abbreviate in your outline to save time):

Thesis: W.S.'s phrase "star-crossed lovers" is used to describe two unlucky people who fell in love but were kept apart by forces beyond their control. This relates to Romeo and Juliet because these lovers' families kept them apart; it also connects to Katniss and Peeta in the book and film The Hunger Games because this pair of lovers are kept apart by their manipulating and controlling government.

1. Romeo and Juliet - their families' feud kept them apart
2. The HG - the authoritarian government and its brutal Hunger Games kept Katniss and Peeta apart

Conclusion/reflection: It is unfortunate that lovers are forced apart by other people. Government and family can't ever really break love's strong bonds.