20 Tips for your Textual Analysis Test Strategies to Help You Improve and Achieve your Best Results on the Test

20 Tips for your Textual Analysis Test

Strategies to Help You Improve and Achieve your Best Results on the Test

Textual Analysis Test Tip #1

Answer all of the assigned questions. Do not leave any

question blank or unanswered!

There will be four short answer questions on the test.


Make sure that you understand what each question is asking

you to respond to, and that you review the definitions for the

various literary devices that we have studied in class. If you are

confused, ask questions!


Read the selected passage carefully, and more than once, before you begin answering the test questions. Make sure that

you understand what the passage is about (and where it occurs in the novel) before you

start to write.


Upon your first and second reading of the passage,

underline/highlight words and lines that you think are

important. Write directly on the test paper. This will help you

when you are referring back to the passage for quotations.


Make sure that you are answering what the question is asking. Do not get off-topic. You have 74 minutes to write the test. Use part of the

question to begin your response in order to help you focus on what

information you should be including in your answer.


Ensure that your answers are detailed, thoughtful, and that you

support all of your points with direct evidence from the passage

(quotations). Do not vaguely refer to a line in the passage – You must include a quotation in quotation

marks to prove your points for each question.


Review the Textual Analysis Rubric to ensure that you know HOW you will be graded on the test. Remember that you will be

receiving a holistic grade (an overall impression of all four of your answers according to the

rubric criteria provided).


When deciding how much time you should spend on each question,

consider that there are 4 questions on the test, so each question should take you approximately 16 minutes (this will give you approximately 10

minutes to read the passage and proofread your writing).


Do not use personal pronouns in your responses. This is not a time for personal reflection.

This is a time to be analytical! Be objective in your word choice and demonstrate your ability to

be a keen critical thinker.


You do not need to cite your quotations on the test. For a

typed evaluation like a formal paragraph or a literary essay, this is required, but on a test with distinct time constraints,

citations are not required.


Bring a dictionary with you in case you struggle with some of the vocabulary in the passage.

You are allowed to use this during the test, but you are not allowed to use your class notes.

However, dictionaries will not be provided for you.


If asked about inferred information from the passage, ensure that you not only provide adequate context

for the passage, and that you explain what important information

can be inferred from the text provided, but also be sure to explore

why this passage has a greater significance to the novel as a whole.


Remember to refer to the theme of the passage in more than one

word. If you think that the passage is about hope, consider what about hope is being discussed, and what

key message the passage is attempting to convey to the reader/audience about hope.


It is not enough to simply identify an example of a literary device

without explaining how and why it is used in the passage. Remember to analyze the

purpose and effect of each device that you examine on the test.


Double-space your responses on the foolscap paper (long,

lined paper) provided in class. Do not forget to do this on the test, because it enables me to

write you more legible feedback.


Answer all questions on the foolscap paper provided,

number your pages, put your name on all of the paper you use, and put your pages in

the correct order upon submission.


Underline the title of the novel, according to proper formatting. For example, The Great Gatsby. Do this

every time you refer to the title of the novel.


Lead into your quotations thoughtfully! Do not just plunk

them in your answers because you know that you need to use

quotations. Provide context – i.e. This is proven in the passage when

Daisy says, “…” (transition carefully)


If you have any time remaining in the test after you have

finished the questions, proofread your writing for errors

prior to submission. Look for spelling mistakes, punctuation

errors, missing words, etc.


Stay calm and do your best.You can do this!

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20 Tips for your Textual Analysis Test Strategies to Help You Improve and Achieve your Best Results on the Test