A few points to keep in mind for the exam:
Check out this great document called "Owning the English 12 Provincial Exam."
- Make sure that you read all of the written response questions before you start reading/writing any part of your exam. This will help you to start thinking about what you will write about for them.
- Choose the piece that you struggle with the most to write on first. This will help to get it out of the way, and then you can focus on writing your strong pieces.
- When you write about the poem, make sure that you read the title, look at the poet’s name (so you know the poet's gender when you speak about the person), and also put yourself in the poet’s shoes, if possible.
- The synthesis piece MUST have integrated quotes, and just like the pieces that you wrote in class, you must refer to BOTH pieces.
- Both the synthesis piece and stand-alone are formal pieces of writing, so DO NOT use first person (I, you, we, etc.)
- Make sure that you watch the clock! You have 3 hours, and you don’t want to be caught not having completed either the original comp. or synth. pieces - these are worth the most.
- Original composition is worth the most marks, and I strongly recommend that once you write this piece, you re-read it and try to add descriptive writing wherever possible. If you can, try to write a narrative (story), and include some dialogue. Avoid stating the prompt anywhere in your writing, just imply it.
- Before you leave the exam, take the time to re–read your responses and m/c ques. Remember that this is worth 40% of your grade, and taking a few extra minutes is worth it, despite how tired you are of sitting there and writing.