Freshman Honors English Semester 1 Exam Study Guide
Freshman Honors English Semester 1 Exam Study Guide
WRITING INFO
Diction:
Definition: Diction refers to the choice of words used in writing.
Words to Avoid:
Clichés: Overused phrases that lack originality.
Jargon: Specialized language that may not be understood by all audiences.
Colloquialisms: Informal language that might not suit the context of the writing.
Slang: Informal words that can make the writing unprofessional.
Reason for Avoidance: Such words can undermine clarity and professionalism in academic writing.
Cohesion:
Definition: Cohesion refers to the flow and connection between ideas in writing.
Implementation in an Essay: Cohesion is shown through logical progression, transition words, and related sentence structures.
Title Formatting in MLA: The title should have the same formatting as the rest of the paper (centered, standard font).
Heading Format:
Location: The heading is located at the top left of the first page.
Order:
Student’s Name
Teacher’s Name
Class Name
Date (formatted in Day Month Year style)
Page Requirement: The heading appears on the first page only, not on subsequent pages.
Header Format:
Location: At the top right of every page (except the first).
Order:
Last Name
Page Number
Additional Pages: The header will automatically continue on each page.
Microsoft Office Insertion: Use the “Insert Header” feature and select “Page Number” to ensure it's in MLA style.
Spacing Requirements:
Line Spacing: Set at double-spacing throughout the document.
After Spacing: No additional spacing should be added after paragraphs.
MLA Format for Titles:
For typed titles:
Novel/Novella: Underlined or italicized (ex: Two Old Women)
Poem or Chapter Title: Quoted ("Title")
Drama Title: Underlined or italicized (ex: Oedipus Rex)
For handwritten titles:
Follow the same formatting as typed titles, using appropriate marks.
Plagiarism:
Definition: Plagiarism is the act of using someone else's work, ideas, or expressions without appropriate acknowledgment.
Prevention: Properly cite all sources, use original interpretations, and paraphrase responsibly.
AN ESSAY’S INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH
Thesis:
Definition: The thesis is the central argument or claim of the essay.
Location: It is typically the last sentence of the introductory paragraph.
Contents: For literary essays, the story title and author must be included in the introduction.
AN ESSAY’S BODY PARAGRAPHS
Topic Sentence:
Definition: The topic sentence states the main idea of the paragraph.
Importance: It provides a clear viewpoint and should be supported by at least three examples to reinforce arguments.
Transition:
Definition: Transitions are words or phrases that connect ideas between sentences and paragraphs.
Examples: Words like "however", "furthermore", and "in addition."
Improvement of Writing: Transitions improve readability and coherence.
Closing Sentence:
Purpose: The closing sentence concludes the paragraph and links it back to the thesis or prepares for the next paragraph.
AN ESSAY'S CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH
Thesis Restated:
Definition: This is the thesis reiterated in different terms.
Location: Usually found toward the beginning of the conclusion paragraph.
MLA FORMAT FOR IN-TEXT CITATIONS
Introducing a Quote: Mention the author’s name or provide context for the quote before presenting the text.
Writing the Quote: Quotes should be enclosed in quotation marks and cited appropriately.
Citation Format: Parentheses containing the author’s last name and page number follow the quote (e.g., "Quote" (Author 23)).
Dropped Quote:
Definition: A dropped quote lacks an introduction and is presented without context.
Improper Use: Such quotes disrupt the flow of writing and confuse readers.
ETYMOLOGY INFO
Terms to Match (for exam):
act
aero
ambul
andr
ann/enn
aqua
art
aud
biblio
bio
cardi
centr
chron
cogn
corp
cred
homo
phob
ceive/cept
luc
luna
mania
morph
aerophobia
xenophobia
claustrophobia
agoraphobia
acrophobia
Definitions to Know:
Prefix: A syllable added before a root word.
Suffix: A syllable added after a root word.
Root: The base part of a word.
Compound words: Words formed from two or more root words combined.
LITERATURE INFO
Annotating Effectively:
Annotation: Notes added to text for comprehension or insight.
Helpful Aspects: They promote engagement, understanding, and retention of material.
Socratic Seminar:
Purpose: To foster deep discussion and critical thinking around a particular text.
Discussion Aids: Active listening, respectful dialogue, and clear communication enhance discussions.
Question Types: Open-ended questions that promote analysis and personal connection to the text.
Expectations: Contributions should be thoughtful, respectful, and attentive to peers.
Literary Terms Definitions (must know and recognize):
SETTING: Time, place, and mood of a narrative.
THEMATIC STATEMENT: The central message in a literary work.
DIRECT & INDIRECT CHARACTERIZATION: Methods of revealing a character's personality and traits.
PLOT: The sequence of events in a story.
GENRE: Categories of literature characterized by style, form, or content.
SYMBOL: An object, character, or event that represents a larger idea.
FORESHADOWING: Hints of what is to come in the story.
PROTAGONIST: The main character, often faced with conflict.
ANTAGONIST: The opposing character or force in a narrative.
IRONY: A contrast between expectation and reality (Situational, Verbal, Dramatic).
EXTERNAL CONFLICT: Conflict between a character and an outside force.
INTERNAL CONFLICT: Conflict within a character's mind (Man vs. Self).
MOTIF: A recurring theme or element in literature.
TRAGEDY: A dramatic work that presents the downfall of a character.
TRAGIC HERO: A main character who makes a judgment error that ultimately leads to their destruction.
TRAGIC FLAW: A limitation, weakness, or defect in the tragic hero.
MONOLOGUE: A long speech by one character.
DIALOGUE: Conversations between characters.
PUN: A form of wordplay that exploits multiple meanings.
PERIPETEIA: A sudden reversal of fortune.
EPEISODION: A section of a play typically following the prologue.
STASIMON: A choral ode in Greek tragedy.
ARCHETYPE: A typical example of a character or theme.
NOVELLA: A brief fictional narrative.
HUBRIS: Excessive pride that often leads to the downfall of the protagonist.
AUTHOR’S PURPOSE: The reason an author decides to write about a specific topic.
NON-FICTION: Prose writing based on facts and real events.
TONE: The author's attitude toward the subject matter.
AMBIGUITY: The quality of being open to more than one interpretation.
Specific Works - Key Information:
Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss:
Importance of punctuation and its correct usage: apostrophes, commas, semicolons, colons, dashes, hyphens, italics, parentheses, ellipsis, and 'sic'.
Author's Purpose: To emphasize the significance of punctuation in written communication.
Writing Style and Tone Influence: The author's humorous and engaging tone draws readers in and highlights absurdities in punctuation misuse.
Forward Writer: Identify who contributed the forward and its relevance to the text.
Sections Before Chapters: Recognize and explain sections that set up the context for the main chapters.
Publication Context: Location and time period when the book was written, impacting its content.
Two Old Women by Velma Wallis:
Key points regarding characters, plot, setting, symbols, thematic statements, and motifs.
Publication context: Year and location, with any known inspirations for the story.
Oedipus Rex by Sophocles:
Analysis of characters, plot, setting, theme, and motifs in the play.
Oedipus’ main flaws: In depth, exploring themes of hubris and fate.
Significance of Monologues: Discuss the role of monologues in revealing character insights.
Pun within Oedipus’ Name: Provide insight into linguistic elements and their dramatic implications.
Dramatic Irony Examples: Be prepared to identify scenes that exhibit this literary device.
Peripeteia Exploration: Explain how it manifests within the plot.
Actors on Stage: Identify maximum limits per epeisodion.
Role of the Chorus: Discuss how the chorus functions within Greek theater—offering commentary, reflections, etc.
Sophocles' Contributions: Changes he made to the structure and presentation of Greek theater.
Play Structure Overview: Discuss how plays were structured in Sophocles’ time and the purpose of each section.
Aristotle’s Commentary: Summarize Aristotle’s observations regarding this play and its significance in literary history.
GRAMMAR INFO
Recognizing and Defining Terms:
NOUN: Functions as a subject, direct object, indirect object, objective complement, object of the preposition, appositive, noun of direct address, predicate nominative.
PRONOUN:
Antecedent: Agreement between pronouns and nouns.
Pronoun Cases:
Nominative Case
Objective Case
Possessive Case
VERB:
Verb Phrase: Composed of helping and main verbs.
Action vs. Linking Verbs: Definitions and processes to differentiate them.
Sensory Verbs: List of verbs that could function as either action or linking verbs.
Common Forms of “Be”: Recognition of the various forms as the principal linking verbs.
HELPING VERB:
Modals and Other Forms: List and understand common usages.
MODIFIER:
Definition: A word or phrase that provides more information about another word.
Types of Modifiers:
Adjective: Modifies nouns or pronouns (identify four questions an adjective must answer).
Indefinite & Definite Articles: Definitions and roles in sentences.
ADVERB:
What it modifies and its various functions in sentences.
PREPOSITION:
Prepositional Phrase Components: Definition and structural components.
Difference Between Prepositions and Adverbs: Key distinctions.
CONJUNCTION:
Coordinating Conjunctions: Memorize the FANBOYS acronym.
Correlative Conjunction Pairs: Memorize the five common pairs.
INTERJECTION:
Differentiate between mild and strong emotions, plus correct punctuation.
EXPLETIVE:
Definition and function in sentence structure.
SENTENCE:
Components: Subject, verb, complete thought.
Recognize and define fragments, run-on sentences, and inverted sentence order.
Sentence Types: Know examples of interrogative, declarative, exclamatory, and imperative sentences.
Non-Grammatical Terms: Recognize terms like noun of direct address, expletive, and interjection.
SYNTAX PATTERNS:
Recognize and construct sentence patterns:
S-AV-DO
S-AV-IO-DO
S-AV-DO-OC
S-LV-PA
S-LV-PN