Part One: Language Essay

This essay is to be submitted upon entrance to the exam. No one will be allowed to print their essay on the day of the exam. No exceptions.

In all of the pieces of literature studied this year, language played a large role in understanding the meaning of the work. Whether it was a direct play on the words themselves, a somewhat ambiguous treatment of them, or an indirect observation of people or the world using irony and symbolism, language was a main focus of the works.

Without repeating what was just mentioned verbatim, write a 1500- word essay that thoroughly examines the role that language played on all of the literature we studied in class this year. Use specific passages from these titles in your essay and cite them correctly:

a. Alice in Wonderland
b. Macbeth
c. Antigone
d. The Canterbury Tales
e. An Unknown Citizen
f. A Modest Proposal
g. A modern short story
h. A SSR novel you read.

Follow these directions exactly: Your essay must use Times New Roman, 12 pt. font, double spaced with a proper heading. Use the graduation writing rubric as a guide.
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Part Two: Options

The lack of support in writing is a common problem with developing writers and oftentimes results in poor grades. These topics are given to you now so that you will have time to prepare the supporting details you need when writing them on the day of the exam.

You must submit by the end of the exam period, two of the following:

1. Using one or more of the novels you read during SSR, write an essay that explains any connections you were able to make between the books and your own life. Were there common themes, characters or conflicts that were relevant? Did a plot remind you of a real experience that you may have had? Was there a character that you recognized because it reminded you of someone? Your essay should focus on the literature and how it has personal connections to you. Do not over summarize the books, but use parts of them to support things you say.

2. Explain what learning skills (reading, writing, speaking, listening, and thinking) you used this year in Language and Literature. Comment on how you developed certain skills and what you discovered about your strengths and weaknesses in your work in this class. Provide specific details to support what you say.

3. Assemble three essays that you wrote this year that received a B+ or better and revise them so that they are final draft copies worthy of a higher grade. Be sure to attach each revision to the graded draft to receive credit.

4. Send a total of 10 email messages to fellow classmates that offer constructive suggestions for improving their websites. After emailing the message to the individual, copy all of the messages you sent into one ms-word document and submit it on the day of the exam to receive credit.

5. Assess the work that you have done this year and compose full answers to each of these questions:

1. What evidence, from your work, do you have of new learning? (Provide the evidence)
2. How have you changed in the way you learn?
3. What have you read?
4. What have you written?
5. Do you feel proud of your writing so far this year? If so, which pieces do you feel proud of and why?
6. Did you feel any resistance to using computers in an English classroom in the very beginning? What do you feel about using computers in the English classroom now?
7. Does the computer help you in the process of writing essays? If so, how?
8. How does CyberEnglish compare with the other English classes you are taking or have taken in the past? Offer support to your statements about this question.
9. What are some specific things you have either liked or not liked about CyberEnglish?
10. What are some ways it can be improved? Try to be as specific as possible.

The exam period is 2 hours long. For the most part, you will be given the full time to complete the work described above. If you finish early, it will be necessary for the room to remain quiet so that others may finish. It is strongly advised that you bring materials to read or study so that a quiet environment is maintained.