Midterm Exam Study Notes

Midterm Exam Details

Exam Weight and Content

• Close reading comprises 50% of the midterm exam.
• Midterm exams account for 20% of the overall grade.
• Therefore, the midterm is a significant component, requiring thorough preparation.
• The exam will involve analyzing a short selection from a story, focusing on: summary, conflicts, figures of speech, and themes.

Story Selection and Summary

• Students will read a couple of pages from a story provided in the exam.
• The task involves four key components:
  • Brief Summary: A concise summary of the selected passage, ideally within two sentences.
    • Avoid retelling the entire story; focus solely on the events within the given pages.

Identifying Conflicts

• Conflict is a driving force in Western literature, motivating characters and propelling the narrative.
• Types of conflict:
  • Interpersonal: Conflicts between characters.
  • Intrapersonal: Internal struggles within a character.
  • Societal: Conflicts between characters and larger systems, societies, or cultures.
• Conflicts drive character arcs and lead to change.

Recognizing Figures of Speech

• Identify and analyze figures of speech within the selection.
• Common figures of speech to look for:
  • Symbols: Colors, animals, names, or positions that represent deeper meanings.
    • Example: A window as a symbol of unfulfilled desire.
  • Similes and Metaphors: Comparisons between two unlike things using "like" or "as" (similes) or direct comparisons (metaphors).
  • Personification: Giving human qualities to inanimate objects or animals.
  • Alliteration: Repetition of consonant sounds.
  • Anaphora: Repetition of sentence structures.

Analyzing Themes

• Identify and explain the themes present in the selected passage.
• Example themes:
  • Gaslighting
  • Patriarchy
  • Infantilization
• Connect themes to specific quotes or moments in the text.

Grading Expectations

• C Grade: Identifying the presence of literary devices (e.g., similes).
• B Grade and Above: Providing a minimum of three figures of speech and themes, with detailed analysis.
• Aim for more than three if possible to demonstrate a deeper understanding.

Specific Requirements

• Figures of Speech: Identify a minimum of three, but aim for four or five for a higher grade. A mix of different figures of speech can show a broader understanding.
• Themes: Identify a minimum of three themes.
• Conflicts: Identify all conflicts present in the selection, even if there are fewer than three.

Exam Format and Strategy

• The midterm will present two selections: one from "The Big Sleep" and one from the short stories studied.
• Choose one selection to analyze.
• Focus solely on the provided selection, not the entire story.
• The themes should be based on the details presented in the selection.
• If you identify a theme, make sure to discuss it.

Time Management

• The exam duration is two hours, effectively one hour and fifty minutes to one and a half hours.
• Use the extra time to thoroughly analyze the selection.

Addressing Word Limit Concerns

• Writing excessively may lead to repetition and filler content.
• Focus on substance over quantity.
• Succinct and insightful analysis is valued.

Clarifying Key Terms

• Summary: A brief overview of the events in the selection.
• Conflict: The struggle or opposition within the story (internal, interpersonal or societal).

Exam Techniques

• Use subheadings (e.g., "Brief Summary," "Conflicts") to organize your analysis.
• Acknowledge connections between different elements (e.g., a figure of speech that relates to a theme or conflict).
• Example: Mention how a conflict relates to a theme, such as a conflict connected to the theme of control.

Preparation

• Focus on identifying conflicts, figures of speech, and themes in the selections.
• Practice writing brief summaries.
• Work alone, in pairs, or in groups to analyze the stories.