Opening format for Stand Alone essay:
In “Title of the passage” by last name of the author…
Example:
Question for November 2008 exam: In paragraph form, and with specific reference to Bonny
Laing’s “An Ode to a User-Friendly Pencil,” discuss irony in the article.
In “An Ode to a User-Friendly Pencil” by Laing, the passage uses irony to communicate its
message about technology in our modern world.
Opening format for Synthesis essay:
In “Title Passage 1” by last name of the author, and “Title of Passage 2” by last name of the author…
Synthesis question from November 2008 exam: Contrast the relationships that the father in
“Wordsmith” and Sam Sing in “The Gold Mountain Coat”have with their children. You must refer
to both passages in your essay.
In “Wordsmith” by Young and “The Gold Mountain Coat” by Fong-Bates both passages show
relationships between fathers and their children. The relationship between father and daughter
in “Wordsmith” contrasts greatly with the type of relationship that Sam Sing has with his
children. Although the relationships are very different, both passages show the importance of
communication between family members.