Final Tips

The final is ready to go.  It consists of fifty multiple choice questions.  Below are many of the questions/instructions with the multiple choice options removed:

1.     Which sentence uses specific examples rather than generalizations?

2.     Which phrase is most specific?

3.     Which phrase is least specific?

4.     Which phrase is not a generalization?

5.     Which of the following would make the most effective thesis for a 1000 word essay?

6.     Which of the following would make the most effective thesis for a 1000 word essay?         

7.     Which of the following pronouns is plural?

8.     Which of these sentences contains a usage error?

9.     Which of the following functions like an essay’s thesis, but at the paragraph level?

10.   By respectfully acknowledging opposing viewpoints, a writer creates what type of appeal?

True or False.  Mark “A” for true statements and “B” for false statements.

[The questions here are from various parts of the course, but several concern active/passive voice.] 

Sentence Structure/Pronouns. Please choose one of the following responses:

a.  Run-on

b.  Comma splice

c.  Passive voice

d.  Pronoun error

e.  Correct

Punctuation.  Which of the following sentences is punctuated correctly?

            [Each question here consists of three sentences.]

Matching. Select the type of error that appears in each sentence.

a.     Apostrophe error

b.     Incorrect title format

c.     Incorrect punctuation with quotation marks

d.     Comma error (restrictive/intro element, etc.)

e.     More than one error

ab. Usage error

ac.  No errors

Final Exam Reminder

An announced in class, you may take the final exam with either of my English 1510 sections.  The times and locations are as follows:

Tuesday 12/11 at 3:30 in Elson 282

Friday 12/14 at 2:00 in Elson W105

I will see you at one or the other.  Don't forget to bring your handbook.

Link to Article

We'll talk about this article for a moment during our final class meeting.  It comes from an entertainment site and doesn't seem to have much scholarly backing, yet it effectively expresses the open-minded sensibility needed to conduct effective academic research.

If you see this message before class, please take a moment and read the article.

Final Exam Updates

Please note the five new items on the final exam review list.  These are labeled G through K under "Sentence Level Issues."

Final Exam Review Terms

Although the final exam may include any concept we covered this quarter, I intend to focus on the following:

I: Sentence level issues

            A. Commas
                        1. Separating items in a series
                        2. With coordinating conjunctions to form compound sentences
                        3. After introductory elements
                        4. With nonrestrictive elements
                        5. Comma splices
                        6. Fused sentences (run-ons)           
            B. Semicolons
                        1. To join independent clauses
                        2. To separate a series of items already containing commas
            C. Apostrophes
                        1. To indicate possession
                        2. With conjunctions
            D. Using punctuation with quotation marks
                        1. Placement of periods, commas, and question marks
                        2. Using ellipses to indicate omissions
                        3. Using square brackets to indicate changes
            E. Manuscript format           
            F.  Title format
                        1. Italics, underlining, quotation marks, capitalization
            G.  Dashes vs. Hyphens
            H.  Subjects and Verbs
             I.  Active/Passive voice
             J.  Metaphor
             K. Usage: its/it's, every day/everyday, affect/effect

    

II. Paragraph and essay level issues

            A. Specific and concrete language

                        1. Avoiding generalizations and clichés

            B. Paragraph focus

                        1. Topic sentences

                        2. Supporting examples and development

                                    a. Sensory details, analogies, facts, statistics, testimony, metaphors

            C. Essay focus and argument

                        1. Thesis/claim

                        2. Evidence/support

                        3. Counterarguments

                        4. Types of appeals: logical, ethical, emotional