English 9 Exam Preparation
How to Study for an English Exam
Review Literary Devices and Short Story Terms Literary devices and short story terms are your tools for reading and comprehending the less obvious meanings in fiction and poetry. You should know the definitions and be able to apply the terms to stories and poems. These terms are the foundation for all grades, and each grade will add new terms, so it is best to familiarize yourself with them now. Review Grammar It is never a bad idea to familiarize yourself with proper grammar and spelling. No one wants to be trolled on the internet! By grade 9, it is expected that you will be familiar with the following grammar concepts:
Practice, Practice, Practice! English is a skills-based subject, meaning you need to practice the skill until you are proficient at it. Throughout the semester, over holidays and breaks, read as much as you can. The object is to train yourself to pick up on figurative language, be able to understand common story structures, genres, etc; and be able to explain your understanding of these terms as they apply to stories and poems you are reading. Don't cram! Cramming (studying all at once) is an ineffective method of studying. Cramming does not lead to deep understanding, nor does it lead to long-term understanding. It is no use to depend upon Google - We want students to be capable, critical, creative and most importantly independent thinkers. This requires a strong grasp of terms and devices so that analysis and interpretation comes more easily. Developing any skill takes time, so short study sessions at regular intervals is far more effective than cramming the night before. |
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Portfolios
You will submit three examples of your best work in a portfolio format. This is a final project and is worth 20% of your mark. Your portfolio should represent growth throughout the semester and should address the important areas of learning for English Language Arts. If you are unsure What learning areas you have developed, refer to the curriculum link here or on the home page for your grade.
Your portfolio must include:
All work will be marked out of 24 (standard 6-point scale for each are of writing: Content, Development, Grammar, and Style). 96 marks for writing. An additional 4 marks are available for presentation to round out the total to 100 marks.
Portfolios are due on the last day of classes and will be marked by the end of the semester.
Your portfolio must include:
- a piece of short fiction
- three poems
- an essay
- a paragraph describing each piece, the changes you've made to the work during editing, and what the process of writing this piece has taught you (total 3 paragraphs;one for each of the previous sections).
All work will be marked out of 24 (standard 6-point scale for each are of writing: Content, Development, Grammar, and Style). 96 marks for writing. An additional 4 marks are available for presentation to round out the total to 100 marks.
Portfolios are due on the last day of classes and will be marked by the end of the semester.