2.  Looking at preparing for The Written Response Part A  Write mock Reading Comprehension  Looking at preparing for the Reading Comprehension  Preparation will include small assignments

3.  The Diploma Exam in ELA 30-1 will is written in TWO parts. "Part A" is the written response, in which you will complete two writing assignments. "Part B" is reading comprehension exam, which involves reading several texts and answering multiple choice questions about them.  The descriptions of the exam and the scoring criteria within these presentations are taken directly from the English Language Arts 30- 1 Diploma Exam Information Bulletin. If you wish to download and read the entire document, it is available on-line at the Alberta Education web site.

4. Website  http://education.alberta.ca/admin/testing/di plomaexams.aspx http://education.alberta.ca/admin/testing/di plomaexams.aspx Student guides http://education.alberta.ca/media/1325271/02% 20ela30-1%20student%20guide%202013-14- 20130819.pdf Exams http://education.alberta.ca/admin/testing/diplo maexams.asp

5. Part A: Written Response, worth 50% of the total diploma examination mark, consists of two thematically related writing assignments:  Personal Response to Texts Assignment  Critical/Analytical Response to Literary Texts Assignment  Read the documents which outlines what to expect on Part A of your final exam.  Study the two RUBRICS that will be used to mark "Part A" of your final exam.

6.  Part A contains two or more reading selections from fiction, nonfiction, and/or poetry, and visual texts that provide a thematic focus and writing prompt for both assignments.  Personal Response to Texts Assignment requires that students respond to texts and a question to explore the ideas and impressions that students may also explore in the Critical/Analytical Response to Literary Texts Assignment. Value - 20% of the total examination mark (Parts A and B combined) Scoring: Scores contribute to the total examination mark in the following proportions:  10% - Ideas and Impressions  10% - Presentation

7.  It is important to read the entire test before you begin either section  Understanding that both questions relate to one theme will help you develop both pieces the Personal response and the Critical Analysis  For the personal response look carefully at each text and make notes about each: theme, topic, plot, literary devices, motif’s, symbols, messages etc…  Decide which one(s) you will address in your personal response.

8.  Go back and do a close reading of the piece(s) you have decided to focus on.  Decide what type of prose you will use to write your personal response: Essay, short story, diary etc….  Remember this is a personal response, and therefore you should use first person narration.  WRITE DOWN YOUR PLAN AND FORM!!! on the planning sheet.

9.  From here it will depend on your form how you will proceed.  Always keep the theme in mind. UNITY  REMEMBER FOR THE PERSONAL RESPONSE YOU ARE RESPONDING TO THE TEXT(S) THEY HAVE PROVIDED.  YOU ARE NOT REFERRING TO CLASS TEXTS!!!

10.  Student examples of your mock Part A  http://education.alberta.ca/media/6741150/0 4%20ela30- 1%20eosw%20jan%202012_nolabel.pdf http://education.alberta.ca/media/6741150/0 4%20ela30- 1%20eosw%20jan%202012_nolabel.pdf

11.  Critical/Analytical Response to Literary Texts Assignment requires that students compose a response to a thematic topic that they support by referring to literature that they have studied in English Language Arts 30–1. Value: 30% of the total examination mark (Parts A and B combined) Scoring: Scores contribute to the total examination mark in the following proportions:  7.5% - Thought and Understanding  7.5% - Supporting Evidence  5% - Form and Structure  5% - Matters of Choice  5% - Matters of Correctness

12.  1. Read entire test  2. Identify the theme (look at two questions)  3. Write it down!  4. Personal Response: Read the texts and do a quick overview of elements  5. choose your text and do a close reading  6. fill out plan and form  7. Write your personal response  8. Edit your writing: coherence, spelling, grammar and sentencing

13. Critical Analysis  4.Decide which of your three chosen texts you will write about (based on tests theme)  5. Create a thesis  6. Plan your essay  7. Write a critical analysis of the text you have decided on in proper essay form based on your thesis  8. Edit: form, transitions, spelling, sentencing, grammar.

14.  REVIEW  literary essay writing notes  visual reflection and close reading notes  former diploma exams  PRACTISE  write former Part A questions  former exams, samples, thesis examples  GATHER and MEMORIZE  specific details  brief quotations from the three pieces of literature that you will potentially use to write about on your diploma exam >> not necessary, however. If you do opt to memorize quotations, ensure that they are central to the theme of the text, so that what you are taking the time to memorize is widely applicable to a variety of different topics.

15.  Open a new Word document. Label it E301U5L2surname In this document, complete the assignment outlined below. Submit this assignment using turnitin.com under Diploma Prep Part A  All of the above are essential to being properly prepared to write Part A: Written Response. The most important of all of these steps is the last one - gather and memorize. Without specific evidence and explanations, you will not be able to support the thesis statement that you devise for the Critical/Analytical Response to Literary Texts Assignment.  Choose three pieces of text that we studied this semester about which you would feel confident to write. (Perhaps you will choose Life of Pi, "On The Rainy River", and Night.)  For EACH piece of text, LIST and EXPLAIN the following:  title, author, genre  important characters - provide detail  symbols, motifs - provide detail  theme - provide detail  quotations - 3-5 (brief) - that are important to the text in general - explain significance to the text

16.  CONCLUSION It is essential that you complete the assignment above in order to be prepared for Part A. Before you ever sit down to write the exam, you must have three potential pieces of text chosen about which you are able to write. Then, once you have seen the question, you can decide which ONE you will use. If you do not do this last assignment, you will be unprepared for the Critical/Analytical Response to Literary Texts Assignment, which counts for 30% of the total exam mark - Parts A and B included!! Therefore, I look forward to reading and commenting on your choices.