REGENTS REVIEW
PACKET
Mrs. Garcia
Mrs. Medina
English 11
Table of Contents
Question 26 Page 3
Question 27 Page 4
Task IV Hints Sheet Page 5
Task IV Rubric Page 6
Sample Introductory Paragraphs #1 Page 7
Sample Introductory Paragraphs #2 Page 8
Sample Conclusion Paragraphs Page 9
Sample Task IV Essay Pages 10-11
Critical Lens Quotes Page 12
Transitions Page 13
Literary Elements Pages 14-15
Outline Sheet Page 16
Works of Literature Review Sheets Pages 17-20
Grade Nine Summaries Pages 21-23
Grade Ten Summaries Pages 24-27
Grade Eleven Summaries Pages 28-32
Question 26
Short-Response Questions
Directions: Write your response to the following question on a separate sheet of paper.
Write a well-developed paragraph in which you use ideas from both passages to establish a controlling idea about respect. Develop your controlling idea using specific examples and details from each passage.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For this question you have to write about BOTH passages. Your task is to prove what both passages prove about the controlling idea. You have to create a thesis / theme and prove how it works.
· Sentence #1 – General broad discussion of the motif. Think of the upside down triangle that we use for introduction paragraphs.
· Sentence #2 – Thesis
o If the passages prove the SAME idea then say something like this:
§ **Both passage I and passage II demonstrate that ______(then fill in the blank with your thesis). Remember that you aren’t proving that both passages are about the motif; you are proving what each passage ESTABLISHES about the motif.
o If the passages are DIFFERENT, say something like this:
§ **While passage I establishes ______(fill in the blank with the thesis based on passage I), passage II proves ______(now fill in the blank with what passage II proves).
· Sentence #3-8 (You do not need to write more than 8 sentences total).
o In these sentences you will use TEXTUAL EVIDENCE (in the form of quotes) to prove how your thesis (whatever you said in the above “blanks” is true.
Question 27
Short-Response Questions
Directions: Write your response to the following question on a separate sheet of paper.
Choose a specific literary element (e.g., theme, characterization, structure, point of view, etc.) or literary technique (e.g., symbolism, irony, figurative language, etc.) used by one of the authors. Using specific details from that passage, in a well-developed paragraph, show how the author uses that literary element or technique to develop the passage.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For this question you only need to write about ONE passage. Your task is to prove how the SPECIFIC LITERARY ELEMENTS of the passage help prove its thesis.
o Sentence #1 – Thesis:
§ Passage ____ (1 or 2 – you only need to address one of them) uses ______(select a literary element that’s present in the passage – look to the multiple choice questions for some guidance if you’re really stuck) to help establish ______(reword the argument / thesis that you used in question #26 – you do NOT have to come up with a new argument).
§ It would sound something like this:
· Passage 1 uses symbolism to help prove that friendships are an important part of growing up because they teach us about ourselves as individuals.
o Sentences #2-#8 (though I think you could get away with a total of 6 here and still be fine)
§ Use textual evidence / quotes.
§ Analyze how the literary element you’ve selected actually helps to prove your thesis.
Task IV
This is the only full essay that you will write during the exam. You will be given a quote and your essay needs to interpret the quote using two works of literature and literary elements.
HINTS:
· Write about two works of literature
· ALWAYS tie the information back into the quote throughout the essay
· ALWAYS refer back to the literary elements throughout the essay
· Introduction
o Include statement (lens) and who said it
o Interpret the lens – put it on your own words
o Agree or disagree with the statement (“This statement is proven true/false...”)
o Include the title, author, and genre of the two works about which you will write
o Include literary elements
· If you want to “push yourself,” include foreshadowing in the introduction. This allows you to “hint” at the direction of your essay.
· Make sure you start discussing the piece of literature that you first mention in the introduction
· Conclusion
o Stress the importance of the thesis (task)
o Show how your examples fit together
o Expand on your idea – tie your essay into the “real” world
· Look at The Guidelines if you forget what needs to be included in the essay
Part B
Your Task: Write a critical essay in which you discuss two works of literature you have read from the particular
perspective of the statement that is provided for you in the Critical Lens. In your essay, provide a valid interpretation of
the statement, agree or disagree with the statement as you have interpreted it, and support your opinion using specific references to appropriate literary elements from the two works. You may use scrap paper to plan your response. Write your essay in Part B, beginning on page 7 of the essay booklet.
Guidelines:
Be sure to
• Provide a valid interpretation of the critical lens that clearly establishes the criteria for analysis (INTRO)
• Indicate whether you agree or disagree with the statement as you have interpreted it (INTRO)
• Choose two works you have read that you believe best support your opinion (INTRO)
• Use the criteria suggested by the critical lens to analyze the works you have chosen (BODY)
• Avoid plot summary. Instead, use specific references to appropriate literary elements (INTRO and
(For example: theme, characterization, setting, point of view) to develop your analysis BODY)
• Organize your ideas in a unified and coherent manner
• Specify the titles and authors of the literature you choose (INTRO)
• Follow the conventions of standard written English
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Sample Introductory Paragraphs
Critical Lens Quote: “I like flawed characters because somewhere in them I see more of the truth.”- Nicholas Cage
SAMPLE ONE:
Nicholas Cage once said, “I like flawed characters because somewhere in them I see more of the truth.” The idea expressed through this quote is that characters that are models of perfection are difficult to relate to. All humans possess imperfections and the characters that show their imperfections are the ones who portray sincerity. This quote applies to today’s society where the idea of perfection is an abnormally thin supermodel or the idea that wealth and fame is the way to achieve the happily ever after fairytale; these are unrealistic icons of perfection for the “average Joe.” Tennessee Williams’ character Blanche in the play A Streetcar Named Desire and Jonathan Knowles’ character Gene in the novel A Separate Peace prove this quote to be true. Blanche is a “real” character; she has made mistakes in her past which have come back to haunt her and have threatened the few relationships to which her sanity is tied. Similarly, Gene exhibits flaws from which many humans suffer; his jealousy and desire to prevail threaten not only his relationship with his best friend, but the life of his best friend. Williams and Knowles use personification and the theme of deception to enable the reader to empathize with and see the sincerity of the protagonists of these literary works.
SAMPLE TWO:
Nicholas Cage once said, “I like flawed characters because somewhere in them I see more of the truth.” This quote means that it is easier to like characters that make mistakes. This statement is proven true in the play A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams and the novel A Separate Peace by Jonathan Knowles. The authors use personification and the theme of deception to show the humanness of the protagonists.
SAMPLE THREE:
“I like flawed characters because somewhere in them I see more of the truth.” – Nicholas Cage. This means the more imperfect a character the easier it is to understand the character and think the character is true. The play A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams and the novel A Separate Peace by Jonathan Knowles prove this quote.
SAMPLE FOUR:
Nicholas Cage once said, “I like flawed characters because somewhere in them I see more of the truth.” In other words, no one is perfect so humans can relate to characters that have made mistakes. There are some literary characters that wear their imperfections on their sleeves and this allows the reader to see the sincerity of these characters. In the play A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams, Blanche DuBois’ lies catch up to her and threaten the relationships she has in her life. Similarly, Gene in Jonathan Knowles’ novel A Separate Peace allows his jealousy to threaten his relationship with his best friend. Williams and Knowles use examples of personification and the theme of deception to prove that characters with flaws are easier to relate to.
SAMPLE FIVE:
Nicholas Cage once stated “I like flawed characters because somewhere in them I see more of the truth.” In other words, when a character seems to deviate from what’s expected, that’s where the truth is evident. Their mistakes are what make them more real and human. I agree with this quote because nobody is perfect, and whether we like it or not, people do make mistakes. That’s what makes us human. Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger is not your typical story of a teenage boy; rather it is the story of a young man struggling his own inner battles. In Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, Willy Loman is so caught up in trying to make a living that his own mind eventually fails him. Through these characters’ mistakes and flaws, it is shown how realistic they truly are.
SAMPLE SIX:
The statement, “I like flawed characters because somewhere in them I see more of the truth,” made by Nicholas Cage is fairly simple. It means he likes a character with a flaw because it makes them seem more real and believable, as opposed to a flawless character of perfection and the feeling that they are fake and unrealistic. This statement is true because a person with flaws makes the story more interesting. There are many literary works that show this.
Sample Introductory Paragraphs
Critical Lens Quote: “In this world goodness is destined to be defeated.” - Walker Percy
SAMPLE ONE:
Walker Percy once said, “In this world goodness is destined to be defeated.” In other words, in the classic battle between good and evil, evil will ultimately prevail. Although society is saturated with individuals who are morally corrupt and often choose the wrong path, literature provides a glimmer of hope. Oftentimes characters that are faced with misfortune are able to rise above the wickedness and come out on top. Two works of literature that prove Percy’s statement false are the memoir Night by Elie Wiesel, and the novel Lord of the Flies by William Golding. The protagonist in Night finds himself trapped in a concentration camp during the Holocaust struggling to survive against the evils imposed on him by Hitler and his henchmen. Similarly, the main character in Lord of the Flies is forced to survive amid a group of maniacal boys on a deserted island devoid of parental structure and reason. Wiesel and Golding utilize the personification of evil through the antagonist and the use of symbols to ultimately show that good will triumph over evil.
SAMPLE TWO:
Walker Percy once said, “In this world goodness is destined to be defeated.” What this quote means is that in the battle between good and evil, evil will win. Evil is a force that cannot be controlled and cannot be beaten. Although society is filled with evil people, literature still has some “good guys” that struggle with evil and come out on top. Two works of literature that prove Percy’s statement false are the novel Night by Elie Wiesel, and the novel Lord of the Flies by William Golding. Elie Wiesel overcomes Hitler’s evil forces during World War II just as Ralph overcomes Jack and his hunters after crashing on a deserted island. Both authors use literary elements such as personification and symbols to prove Percy’s statement is not true and show that good will win in the end.
SAMPLE THREE:
Walker Percy once said, “In this world goodness is destined to be defeated.” What this quote means is that evil will always win. This statement is proven false in the novel Night by Elie Wiesel and the novel Lord of the Flies by William Golding. The authors use Elie and Ralph to personify goodness. Ultimately, the evil symbols of the crematorium and the pig’s head are defeated.
SAMPLE FOUR:
“In this world goodness is destined to be defeated” means to me that every good to the heart person is eventually going to be defeated, either by death or some other form of defeat. I disagree with this quote for many reasons. The novels Night by Elie Wiesel and Lord of the Flies by William Golding, gave me many details that supported my disagreement with the quote. Each book gave me many literary elements and writing techniques that also helped my disagreement with the quote.
SAMPLE FIVE:
“In this world goodness is destined to be defeated.” This critical lens statement was said by Walker Percy. This means that evil always overcomes the good in a story. I disagree with this statement and it is proven in Night by Elie Wiesel and Lord of the Flies by William Golding.
Sample Conclusion Paragraphs
Critical Lens: “In this world goodness is destined to be defeated.” - Walker Percy
SAMPLE ONE:
The power of good to overcome evil is absolute. It is the irresistible force that drives us all to live on and reach higher than before. The darkness may threaten and attack. It would be lying to say that nobody succumbs to it. Despite evil’s advances and temptations, it cannot win unless it is allowed to. Evil has only that power we give it, and if denied, that power cannot win. However, it does take will power to resist and fight against it.