Final Exam
English 120
Study Tips
Preparation:
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Read the articles and familiarize yourself with
the subject.
Highlight the thesis statements and
supporting reasons of each article.
Prepare a Works Cited list using the articles
I’ve given you.
Create a “T” chart and list the “pros” and
“cons” of the issue
Angela Morales, Glendale
Review your grammar handbook.
Community College
Final Exam—English 120
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The essay exam consists of an in-class
essay based on readings
The essay exam is an argumentative essay
You will be graded on your reading skills,
interpretation skills, and your ability to use
English fluently and accurately.
Passing your final exam means that you are
ready for English 101 (University Equivalent)
Angela Morales, Glendale
Community College
Composition Tips:
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Keep your writing simple and straightforward.
Don’t use words with which you are
unfamiliar.
Begin with an OUTLINE!
Know your thesis before you begin.
Include a minimum of two supporting
quotations from the article packet. Make
sure you identify the author/source.
Angela Morales, Glendale
Community College
Avoid These Common Errors:
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Comma Splices
Run-on sentences
Unclear pronoun reference
Incorrect pronoun agreement
Non-parallel sentences
Double Negatives
Dropped quotation
No citations
Angela Morales, Glendale
Community College
COMMA SPLICES
The death penalty provides temporary
solutions, it does not create solutions for
avoiding future problems.
In the movie Crash, officer Ryan harasses a
black couple, they are basically powerless to
fight back.
Angela Morales, Glendale
Community College
Run-On Sentences
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My mother can sometimes be so controlling I
refuse to let her ruin my life.
The weather report said that it would rain
today I don’t believe it though.
People must control themselves when it
comes to alcohol consumption there are too
many drunks making our roads unsafe.
Angela Morales, Glendale
Community College
UNCLEAR PRONOUN REFERENCE
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My sister and my mother went to Europe last
summer, but she refused to let her wear a
revealing bikini.
Mr. Martinez told Mr. Davitt that he deserved
a raise.
My father and my grandpa have been great
role-models, especially when he published
his first book.
Angela Morales, Glendale
Community College
INCORRECT PRONOUN AGREEMENT
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All people have their own religion.
To be a good dad, men must be kind, loving,
and strong.
Everyone should move their backpacks to
the locker room.
Women must have their own bank account.
Angela Morales, Glendale
Community College
Non-parallel sentences
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The reason why Jean does not trust the
locksmith is that he has tattoos, the way he is
dressed, and his head is shaved.
The reasons why Jean does not trust the
locksmith is that he has tattoos, he dresses
like a “cholo,” and he shaves his head.
Angela Morales, Glendale
Community College
Parallel Structure:
Ask not what your country can do for you; ask
what you can do for your country.
At my last job I typed 55 words per minute, I
filed hundreds of documents each week, and
I maintained the copy machine at least one a
day.
Angela Morales, Glendale
Community College
Avoid Double Negatives
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He can’t seem to do nothing right.
Can’t = Can not (negative)
nothing (negative)
He can’t seem to do anything right.
Angela Morales, Glendale
Community College
Dropped Quotation
Obesity is becoming a health epidemic in the
United States. “The number of children with
diabetes and high cholesterol has increased
20% since 1998.”
Correct: Obesity is becoming a health epidemic
in the United States. Dr. John Parekh of
UCLA Medical Center points out that “The
number of children with diabetes and high
cholesterol has increased 20% since
1998.”
Angela Morales, Glendale
Community College
Always use a signal phrase!
One researcher has found that “The number
of children with diabetes and high cholesterol
has increased 20% since 1998” (Parekh).
Dr. John Parekh claims that, “Without proper
dietary supervision, the average lifespan will
decrease fifteen years by 2050.”
Angela Morales, Glendale
Community College
Final Tips:
Be diligent about proofreading. Read through
your essay several times before you hand it
in. Use every minute available.
Write with an erasable pen OR neatly draw a
line through your mistakes.
It’s okay to cross out sentences as you edit.
This is part of the writing process.
Angela Morales, Glendale
Community College