Final Examination Study Sheet — English Composition II

Prompt:

· Write a 4 paragraph argumentative essay about the article “Should Kids Be Able to Graduate After 10th Grade?” available through the TIME website @ http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1857336,00.html

· You will devise your own thesis and argument over the issue covered in the article, so take a stand on whether or not the U.S. should move to a national system that allows students who pass the exam to move on to college, effectively skipping the final two years of high school.

· Remember the definition of a thesis statement: a debatable claim.

You may engage the TIME article during the final examination, but nothing else. Do not use notes or any other materials.

Bring the following materials:

· The TIME article

· A few pens

· A blue book or some blank lined paper

· A watch

Study Strategies:

Certainly you should read the article a number of times prior to the exam, so that you are very familiar with it.

You should know your thesis prior to the exam.

To avoid common errors, follow these guidelines:

· Break your essay into four paragraphs.

· Because this is a hand-written essay, please do not double space.

· If you have small or otherwise difficult to read handwriting, then please write larger, or clearer, or print instead of using script.

Your essay should demonstrate your skills in the following areas:

· A strong introductory paragraph that finishes with a thesis statement.

· Two body paragraphs that focus the claim made in your thesis and advance that argumentative point of view.

· A conclusion paragraph that revisits your thesis and some of the key points from your body paragraphs, and makes an intellectual conclusion.

Note: Remember to write your name on the blue book; if you use blank lined paper write your name on each page turned in.