ms brock final exam

What is a personal statement?

A true story that shows identity, growth, and lessons learned from experience.

What makes a strong personal statement?

A specific moment, thoughts and feelings, a challenge, and reflection.

Why is reflection important in a personal statement?

It shows what the writer learned and how they changed.

What is a run-on sentence?

Two independent clauses joined without proper punctuation.

How do you fix a run-on?

Add a period, semicolon, or comma + FANBOYS.

What is a sentence fragment?

An incomplete sentence that cannot stand alone.

Compound-complex sentence definition

Two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.

What does DIDLS stand for?

Diction, Imagery, Details, Language, Syntax.

Diction

Word choice that creates tone & meaning.

Imagery

Sensory details that help the reader visualize

Syntax

Sentence structure which affects tone, pacing & meaning.

Main theme of Yellow Woman

Identity and cultural storytelling.

How does Silko blur myth and reality?

The narrator is unsure if she is a legend or a real woman.

What does Yellow Woman symbolize?

Native American cultural identity

What is “true beauty”? ( beauty of a spirit )

Inner strength, confidence, and spirit.

How does Walker support her idea?

By describing hardworking women, including her grandmother.

Tone of the essay

Reflective & empowering

What do chickens symbolize? (Why chickens)

Home, culture, comfort, and survival.

How does Kincaid develop the symbol?

Through food, memories, and family traditions.

Why is Trevor Noah “born a crime”?

His parents were different races during apartheid.

Why does Noah use humor?

To cope with hardship and connect with the reader.

Major theme ( born a crime )

Identity, racism, family, survival.

Common themes across texts

Identity shaped by culture and experience.

Thesis formula

Although Text A uses ___ and Text B uses ___, both reveal ___.

Example thesis

Although Yellow Woman uses myth and Born a Crime uses humor, both show how culture shapes identity.