Sophomore English 3-4 Fall Final Exam Study Guide 2010
1. Writing
Review the proper format for a formal communication (e.g., thank you letter) letter. Be sure you are
able to compare and contrast an informal and formal communication and/or letter.
Review the standard five-paragraph essay form. Be prepared to create a diagram of the five major
components with a brief description and/or example of each component and its sub-parts. Be sure to
include the following: intro, body paragraphs, thesis statement, topic sentences, thesis restatement,
and conclusion. Be prepared to address the following:
What is the purpose of a thesis statement?
What is the purpose of an attention getter?
Where should the restatement of the thesis appear?
Where should the thesis information and support appear?
What is the purpose of the topic sentence in a paragraph?
Where does the main idea and topic sentence of a paragraph come from?
What is the purpose of the concluding sentence?
What is the first sentence of a paragraph called?
Understand the reasons why the AZ-version of the six-trait writing rubric is important/valuable to you,
and be prepared to assess and evaluate a brief writing sample for the following two traits:
1) conventions, and 2) sentence fluency
2. Literature
After reading a very brief narrative, be prepared to identify (and associate to the narrative) the following
elements of literature. Most of the definitions of the terms are located on various handouts,
worksheets, and tests from the 1st semester. A. Point of View B. The protagonist C. The antagonist
D. Plot (summary) E. Characters (major/main and minor/other) F. Setting. G. Voice H. Theme
Poetics seminar. Understand and be able to identify in poetry, the following terms. Rhyming scheme.
Couplets. Tercets. Quatrains. Simile. Metaphor. Alliteration. Meter (especially iambic pentameter).
Villanelle. Haiku (and kigo and kireji). Sonnet (and volta). Meaning.
“Beowulf” by unknown Old English author(s). Be prepared to identify/define the following: alliteration,
kennings, Anglo-Saxons; describe and summarize the plot; cite the point of view in the work.
What kind of narrative voice is used in the story? Discuss the narrator’s Christian ethics and their
implications upon an otherwise pagan cultural story.
Be prepared to thoroughly discuss at least one of the following themes in Beowulf, making sure to
reference passages from the text.
Goodness conquers evil.
Actions speak louder than words.
Judge the greatness of a human being by the greatness of his deeds and/or his noble ancestry.
Help thy neighbor.
Forces of darkness–irrational, menacing–are always at work in society.
Life is a never-ending struggle, and then you die.