Study Notes for TAKS
Multiple Choice Questions
Read each question completely
Underline your evidence
Eliminate possible wrong answers
Take your time and stay calm
If you are unsure, pick which is most right
Use context clues
Short Answer Essay Questions
Read the question completely
Your answer should relate to the question
Each answer should have 5 or more sentences
Use quotes to support your answer, at least 2
Write which paragraph you found it in
Reread your answer to make sure it makes sense
Make any corrections necessary
The Essay for 10th thru Exit
Read the prompt completely
Make sure your essay relates to the topic
Be Specific
Use Details
Write a minimum of 5 paragraphs
Use 5 or more sentences in each paragraph
Use your own experiences
Write complete sentences
Reread your work and make any corrections
The night before the test
Eat a good dinner
Go to bed early
Try to have a good breakfast
Arrive to school on time
Write like you read and not like you talk
Look for:
Setting – time and place
Characters – Main and supporting, antagonist and protagonist
Conflict / Resolution – The problem and its conclusion
Theme – Universal message
Plot – the series of events in the story including introduction, climax / turning point, and the conclusion
Point of View – first person: I or we, third person: use of characters names, omniscient: all seeing
Mood - Tone that is set by time and place, use of figurative language
Foreshadowing – Hints to what is to come next or soon in the story
Flashback – Interrupts a story and relates to a previous event
Irony – the difference in what appears to be and what really is
Dialogue – written conversation between two or more characters
Symbolism – a symbol that stands for something beyond the obvious
Read between the lines and make inferences
Make predictions
Look for comparisons and contrasts between the two stories
Draw a venn diagram
Make an outline
Compose on the scrap paper
Use persuasion in your paper
Organize your written work
Check mechanics
Read everything you write back to yourself
