FEEDBACK FROM THE DIAGNOSTIC

ASSESSMENTS

STAND ALONE TEXT

Should be in analytical paragraph format.

Aim for 250-350 words

Make sure your quotes are integrated (use ACE): include citation

Link your quotes back to your topic sentence

Use a formal tone (no 1st or 2nd person; slang; colloquialisms, avoid contractions)

Fix simple errors: Capitalization, punctuation, then/than, their/they’re/there, its/it’s…

WHAT IS THE FUNCTION OF IRONY? To add an element of suspense, drama, or humour

Most people became bogged down in the definition and forgot to use the simplest form of irony (sarcasm)

When in doubt, start with a definition YOU understand and then find three pieces of evidence that support your definition

When in doubt, just look for interesting patterns and try to apply it to the prompt

SYNTHESIS

Should be in ESSAY format!

Aim for at least 5-6 paragraphs

When in doubt, each BODY paragraph should have three pieces of evidence

Don’t forget an INTRO with a thesis and conclusion

If you do not make reference to BOTH texts it is an automatic ZERO

Speaker poem; narrator story

Formal tone rules apply again

Worth the MOST… do NOT skimp here

COMPOSITION

The second most important section in terms of marks

It is harder to get above a C+ if you write an expository or persuasive essay

The highest marks tend to be awarded to descriptive or narrative essays

Utilize imagery to enhance voice

You can respond to the text implicitly

Do not forget to use sophisticated word choice, but make sure you know the words you are using

Write at least three pages 600-700 words

Incorporate DETAILS

If your essay is boring, you will likely end up with a “C”

TIME TO HAND BACK YOUR ASSESSMENTS AND MARK

THE MULTIPLE CHOICE Please do NOT freak out about your marks!!!

We will learn some techniques to enhance your writing and you will apply them to earn a better mark

Some students were consistent across the board

Others had a huge discrepancy