SA

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.