Preparing for In-class
Finals
1. Organize your notes, including, use of the 3- or 4- or 5-column note chart
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actions that get repeated (implied or overt)
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images & events
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…other language…
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What is important about the example? What does the scene/line support?
Make sure to put the page number (and line number for poems) down so that you
can easily cite in your essay.
- Pose questions about the meaning a reader can get out of the text, its actions and its conclusions. An effective strategy for a writer is to “predict” what he or she will be writing on based on multiple factors:
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Teacher’s stressing ideas, certain pages, etc.
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Reviewing your Active Reading notes and matching up what you’ve noted with
class lectures and your teacher’s stresses.
2. Create a Vocabulary for the essay topic à Word Bank of language that goes with the subject you will be
writing on.
3. Draft an outline of your ideas, and supporting examples (w/ page and
lines) under each point.
4a. Organize the steps you will take once you get to class.
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What pre-writing steps will you take?
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How much time will you spend on pre-writing?
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How will you manage your time?
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How much time do you need to edit your work, and how will you accomplish
this?
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Which weaknesses in my writing must I focus my editing on?
4b. Organize your materials prior to class:
- Are you allowed to use your book(s)? Yes, then an effective strategy to use is to create Post-it tabs in your book so that you can easily find pages you will cite.
- Are you allowed to use notes? Clarify with your professors in advance, and start drafting notes whenever you have time.
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Re-write your notes,
and put ideas in an order of importance.
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Example: I would put all vocab words together, if a teacher gave vocab
terms in a class. I would put all of the theories together, if my teachers gave
me all kinds of theories to review. I would note down the main ways (3-4
similarities) the multiple texts have in one place in my notes.
5. Write your own essay questions. Then, set a half hour aside and take a
practice exam where you follow through on your pre-writing strategies,
etc.!
- There is nothing like trying to visualize and mimic how you think the process is going to go down. Believe me, taking an in-class exam is stressful for every student, even the most prepared. Part of your studying for the exam is not simply to review individual ideas, but to try and practice writing the essay so that you can see how each of your ideas goes together. I would see a practice exam as a rough draft.
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