Short Essay Tests

What do I include?

• Write in complete sentences.

• Answer the question thoroughly.

• Provide us with information that shows you know the subject matter.

Answering these types of questions:

5 points• Easier content - Understanding• May be answered in 3 sentences.

10 points• Evaluative Level• Provide evidence from the text , historical or personal accounts.

15 points• Analyze ( breakdown how/purpose it is written) or Evaluative

( Explain how the literary devices are used) Levels• Provide valid evidence, scenarios or facts within your answer.• Must be 5 to 7 sentences in length.

Example: Why did the author’s tone appear to be one of dispare? ( 5 points)

▪ The mystery surrounding Nelles Air Force Base set a precedence across the entire area to the immediate East of Death Valley. Within the direct geographical area in which the author was living, there had been an ominous aura for centuries which cast a desperate feeling on it’s current residents. These factors contributed to the author’s underlying tone of her own uncertainty and her distrust of human morality.

Pink = reason that contributed to her tone/feelings.

Yellow = historical connection, further supports the pink

Aqua = pulls it all together.

10 or 15 points: How did the author’s word choices impact the reader’s perception of her situation?

Step #1 = Determine how you believe the word choices did this.

Step #2 = Find the evidence that shows this.

Step #3 Begin with a complete sentence.

The author’s word choices impacted the reader’s perception of her situation by… ( Your belief.)

Explain how the evidence within the text shows this or guides the reader’s thoughts.

Minimum 5 sentences. Also known as A (answer)P (prove)E (expand).

Practice:

▪ With your shoulder partner, answer the following question using “On Morality”.

▪ How did Didion use the particulars to demonstrate the ideas of morality?