Preparation for the test to come--Get ready!

Here is what we were up to this week:
Monday: we dissected a prompt form the 2009 version of the AP test, read the poem, and found the things that the prompt might have suggested were there (allusion/figures of speech/tone) and then wrote our own first paragraph and THEN read A LOT of student samples. Then we graded those prompts and decided which was the best--by our own criteria.

Tuesday: We re-read our favorite student essays: W and WW, and decided if the opening paragraphs did three things:
1- Named the nature of the COMPLEX reaction of the speaker
2- Mentioned the author and speaker and led into the techniques we would highlight in our essay.
3- Was well written
the we read more essays--along with their actual grade and comments from the grading staff

Then we dissected the prompt for the second (prose) essay and read it--notating at will! Then we made note of the techniques mentioned in the prompt that we had noticed on our first reading: Fig. of speech/personification/details of description/imagery.  We the wrote a first paragraph of our essay about this piece.

Wednesday: This period is devoted to writing the essay in answer to the second prompt (prose) from the 2009 exam.

Thursday: We will research/look-up/ make study guides for the Literary Terms vocabulary that we need to master for the test.  Helps are available in class-- and we also have the power of the internet! Make a study guide/flash cards/notecards/poems/essays ANYTHING that will help you remember the meaning of the terms that you did not include in your first semester glossary. Online Glossary

Friday: We will read "problem" essays from the second prompt in 2009: essays that are the borderline, according to the judges.  We want to locate the key differences that might make our own essays unquestionable when we take the test.

HOMEWORK: Read the fourth act of Hamlet by Monday. We will probably get some time in class to help with this, but don't count on it. Reading helps: eat Ham-let sandwiches--wonder at Claudius formations in the blue sky, Grit you teeth and think of Gertrude, and BE.  It is always better than the alternative.  By the way: my favorite speech in a play full of amazing speeches comes in Act V. Still-- find your favorite speech from Act IV and be prepared to talk about it on Monday.