20 Tips for your Textual Analysis Test

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

Poetry 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.

Poetry Analysis Test Tip #2

Make sure that you understand what each question is asking you

to respond to, and that you review the definitions for the various literary and dramatic

devices that we have studied in class. If you are confused, ask

questions!

Poetry Analysis Test Tip #3

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 play) before you start to write.

Poetry Analysis Test Tip #4

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.

Poetry Analysis Test Tip #5

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.

Poetry Analysis Test Tip #6

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.

Poetry Analysis Test Tip #7

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).

Poetry Analysis Test Tip #8

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).

Poetry Analysis Test Tip #9

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.

Poetry Analysis Test Tip #10

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.

Poetry Analysis Test Tip #11

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.

Poetry Analysis Test Tip #12

For question #1, ensure that you not only provide adequate context for

the passage that you select, 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 play as a whole.

Poetry Analysis Test Tip #13

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

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

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

Poetry Analysis Test Tip #14

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

or dramatic 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.

Poetry Analysis Test Tip #15

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.

Poetry Analysis Test Tip #16

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.

Poetry Analysis Test Tip #17

Underline the title of the play, according to proper formatting. For example, Romeo and Juliet. Do this

every time you refer to the title of the play.

Poetry Analysis Test Tip #18

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 Juliet says,

“…” (transition carefully)

Poetry Analysis Test Tip #19

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.

Poetry Analysis Test Tip #20

Stay calm and do your best. You have had a lot of practice with textual

analysis. You can do this!