Final ExamEnglish 120

Study Tips

Angela Morales, Glendale Community College

Final Exam—English 120

The essay exam consists of an in-class essay based on readings

The essay will be argumentative. You will be graded on your reading skills,

interpretation skills, and your ability to use English fluently and accurately.

Passing your final exam means that you are ready for English 101 (University Equivalent)

Angela Morales, Glendale Community College

Composition Tips:

Keep your writing simple and straightforward. Don’t use words with which you are

unfamiliar. Begin with an OUTLINE! Know your thesis before you begin. Include a minimum of two supporting

quotations from the article packet. Make sure you identify the author/source.

Angela Morales, Glendale Community College

Avoid These Common Errors:

Comma Splices Run-on Sentences Unclear Pronoun Reference Incorrect Pronoun Agreement Non-parallel Sentences Double Negatives Dropped Quotation Missing Citations

Angela Morales, Glendale Community College

COMMA SPLICES

The death penalty provides temporary solutions, it does not create solutions for avoiding future problems.

In the movie Crash, officer Ryan harasses a black couple, they are basically powerless to fight back.

Angela Morales, Glendale Community College

Correct Run-On Sentences

My mother can sometimes be so controlling I refuse to let her ruin my life.

The weather report said that it would rain today I don’t believe it though.

People must control themselves when it comes to alcohol consumption there are too many drunks making our roads unsafe.

Angela Morales, Glendale Community College

UNCLEAR PRONOUN REFERENCE

My sister and my mother went to Europe last summer, but she refused to let her wear a revealing bikini.

Mr. Martinez told Mr. Davitt that he deserved a raise.

My father and my grandpa have been great role-models, especially when he published his first book.

Angela Morales, Glendale Community College

INCORRECT PRONOUN AGREEMENT

All people have their own religion. To be a good dad, men must be kind, loving,

and strong. Everyone should move their backpacks to

the locker room. Women must have their own bank account.

Angela Morales, Glendale Community College

Avoid Non-Parallel Sentences

The reason why Jean does not trust the locksmith is that he has tattoos, the way he is dressed, and his head is shaved.

The reasons why Jean does not trust the locksmith is that he has tattoos, he wears gang colors, and he shaves his head.

Angela Morales, Glendale Community College

Use Parallel Structure:

Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.

At my last job I typed 55 words per minute, I filed hundreds of documents each week, and I maintained the copy machine at least one a day.

Angela Morales, Glendale Community College

Parallel:Professional cheerleaders deserve a better salary because they work long hours, improve team morale, and bring in money for the franchise.

Non Parallel:Professional cheerleaders deserve a better salary because of all the long hours that they work, how they improve team morale, and because of how they help to bring in money for the franchise.

Thesis Statements should always be written in parallel form

Angela Morales, Glendale Community College

Avoid Double Negatives

He can’t seem to do nothing right.

Can’t = Can not (negative)

nothing (negative)

He can’t seem to do anything right.

Angela Morales, Glendale Community College

Avoid Dropped Quotations

Obesity is becoming a health epidemic in the United States. “The number of children with diabetes and high cholesterol has increased 20% since 1998.”

Correct: Obesity is becoming a health epidemic in the United States. Dr. John Parekh of UCLA Medical Center points out that “The number of children with diabetes and high cholesterol has increased 20% since 1998.”

Angela Morales, Glendale Community College

Always use a signal phrase!

One researcher has found that “The number of children with diabetes and high cholesterol has increased 20% since 1998” (Parekh).

Dr. John Parekh claims that, “Without proper dietary supervision, the average lifespan will decrease fifteen years by 2050.”

Angela Morales, Glendale Community College

Final Tips:

Carefully read the articles. Know your subject and source information with confidence.

Watch the clock. Break up your time into segments: planning, drafting, editing, proofreading.

It’s okay to cross out sentences as you edit. This is part of the writing process.

Use every minute of your allotted time. Writing a good essay is hard work.

Angela Morales, Glendale Community College

Basic Outline Template

I. IntroductionA. Hook

B. Introduction of issue/topic

C. Thesis Statement (Your position +supporting reasons)

Angela Morales, Glendale Community College

II. First Body Paragraph (Reason #1)A. Clear Topic Sentence in which you declare your first reason to Prove your thesisB. Supporting Evidence and examplesC. Your analysis and discussion of these examples/evidence

III. Second Body Paragraph (Reason #2)A. Clear Topic Sentence in which you declare your second reason to Prove your thesisB. Supporting Evidence and examplesC. Your analysis and discussion of these examples/evidence

BODY PARAGRAPHS

Angela Morales, Glendale Community College

IV. Fourth Body Paragraph (Reason #3)A. Clear Topic Sentence in which you declare your third

reason to prove your thesisB. Supporting Evidence and examplesC. Your analysis and discussion of these examples/evidence

V. Fifth Body Paragraph (Conclusion)A. Your restatement of reasons (try to use slightly different words)B. An appeal to the audience. Why is this topic important? Why should we care? What can we do?