The exam has 3 parts: A, B, and C. You will be given 1.5 hours to complete the exam.
Part A is multiple choice. It is based on grammar. This is your Knowledge mark.
Part B is a sight passage. The sight passage will be a short poem of 25 lines or less. This is your Application mark.
Part C is a long answer. You will write a OSSLT Style Opinion Essay (a series of paragraphs expressing an opinion). Your question will be based on The Taming of The Shrew. This is your Thinking and Communication mark. An Opinion Essay Planner WILL BE PROVIDED ON THE EXAM.
We will go over the planner and sample questions in class.
Thesis
Topic sentence for paragraph 1
Point 1
Paraphrase 1
Explain 1
Point 2
Paraphrase 2
Explain 2
Concluding sentence for paragraph 1
Topic sentence for paragraph 2
Point 1
Paraphrase 1
Explain 1
If you can: Point 2
If you can: Paraphrase 2
If you can: Explain 2
Concluding sentence for paragraph 2
Topic sentence for paragraph 3
Point 1
Paraphrase 1
Explain 1
If you can: Point 2
If you can: Paraphrase 2
If you can: Explain 2
Concluding sentence for paragraph 3
You can use the personal pronoun "I", but all other formal writing rules apply.
You cannot use quotations, so the usual pattern of:
Point/Proof/Explain
becomes
Point/Paraphrase/Explain.
Paraphrase means to add clarity or to state another way. So in an exam, you will use a sentence to remind the reader of an event. You don't have to go into great detail because your reader knows the source text.
Note that the intro paragraph has been replaced with just a thesis in the planner. You can choose to write a thesis with or without a position. It is your choice. If you choose to add a position, make sure that it is clear, and that it is repeated in your body paragraphs.
Lead with your strongest argument. Try to come up with 2 supporting ideas for argument 1. Do your best to come up with 2 supporting ideas for body 2 and 3. Paragraphs 2 and 3 may only have 1 supporting idea. Some students will place their weakest argument last (body 3), and some will bury it in the middle (body 2). This is your choice.
Transitions are important. Have a few memorized. Use standard, formal English. There are no MLA style marks on the exam.
In an exam, you have to weigh the importance of a positional thesis against a formulaic list of arguments thesis. Prepare by becoming comfortable writing a 2 sentence thesis. Order does not matter, but content does. One sentence will be your formulaic thesis (text, author, arguments and a reworking of the questions). The other sentence will be your position. On an exam, don't make the mistake of incorporating a position in the thesis and then not dealing with it in your body paragraphs.
Review A Glossary of Poetic (Literary) Terms.
Review your notes, sample poems and instructions from the poetry unit so that you build your confidence with identifying and stating how the device is being used in the poem.
On the exam, you will be given a poem (25 lines or less) and asked to explain how a Poetic (Literary) Term supports the theme of the poem.
Read the play for the course. Watch it again on DigitalTheatre+.
We will complete an activity which will help you to brainstorm possible topics.
Read your annotations and homework answers.
Read the notes you took in class during discussions and lessons.
Read the notes you took during class and the home work questions. Look for positional ideas (if you like thinking about a thesis) or big ideas (the pre-unit notes you took).
Read your assessments.
Consider that English teachers often structure final exam essay questions on:
a prompt or quote - in junior grades, these tend to be from the texts studies, not necessarily for senior grades.
a literary term
ideas that come up over the course of the term
Create groupings of ideas from the unit. These will help you to outline answers to possible questions:
Big ideas from the unit
Symbols
Themes
Character groupings:
Minor characters
If the protagonist is young, then older characters and vice versa
If the protagonist is male, then female characters and vice versa
Affiliations
Common Literary Terms:
Characterization
Irony
Metaphor
Allusion
Big ideas from outside the unit / other units in the course
This next step requires you to not work (brainstorm, share, ask questions) with others. Doing so will prevent the guessing game from unfolding properly. You will share your 3 answers in class.
Take out a piece of paper, on it write:
The 1 essay question you be prepared to answer now.
The 1 essay question you would not be prepared to answer now.
The 1 essay question you think I would ask if I wanted to be challenging.
We will share all our answers during the exam preparation classes. Write down other people's questions. At home, outline possible answers. Remember that you will be writing in a mini-essay style:
At the end of the first semester in 2024-25, I asked ChatGPT to come up with some essay questions to help with exam prep after the in-class activity. Here's the transcript:
Do you believe Katherine’s transformation is genuine, or is it a result of societal pressure? Provide examples from the text to support your view.
How would you describe Petruchio’s treatment of Katherine? Do you see it as comedic, cruel, or something else? Explain your reasoning.
What is your interpretation of the play's ending? Does it suggest a harmonious relationship, or does it reinforce patriarchal values?
In your opinion, does Bianca represent an ideal woman in the context of the play, or is her behavior manipulative? Use evidence from the play to support your argument.
Do you think The Taming of the Shrew can still be relevant in modern times? Why or why not?
Do you agree with the idea that Katherine and Petruchio’s relationship is based on mutual respect? Why or why not?
What do you think Shakespeare was trying to say about gender roles in society through The Taming of the Shrew?
Do you find the humor in The Taming of the Shrew appropriate or problematic? Explain your perspective.
Which character do you sympathize with the most in the play, and why?
If you were to adapt The Taming of the Shrew for a modern audience, what changes would you make to the characters or storyline, and why?
Considering the historical and cultural context of The Taming of the Shrew, do you believe Shakespeare intended for Petruchio’s methods of "taming" Katherine to be taken seriously or as satire? Justify your answer.
In what ways does The Taming of the Shrew challenge or reinforce traditional notions of marriage and authority? Do you think Shakespeare critiques or supports these notions? Explain your viewpoint.
Some critics argue that Katherine’s final speech is a statement of submission, while others see it as a strategic act of self-preservation. Which interpretation do you find more convincing, and why?
The play depicts both love and manipulation. Do you believe that Petruchio and Katherine's relationship eventually becomes one of genuine love, or is it rooted in power dynamics? Provide evidence to support your argument.
The character of Lucentio appears to be more respectful toward Bianca than Petruchio is toward Katherine. Do you believe Lucentio’s pursuit of Bianca is more appropriate or more manipulative than Petruchio’s treatment of Katherine? Explain your reasoning.
Do you think The Taming of the Shrew presents a problematic view of women's autonomy, or does it provide a complex commentary on the struggle for power within relationships? Defend your position with examples from the text.
Is the humor in The Taming of the Shrew an effective tool for addressing serious issues like gender inequality and marital dynamics, or does it trivialize these themes? Discuss your perspective.
In the play, characters such as Petruchio and Katherine engage in role-playing and disguise. How do these elements affect the way power and identity are portrayed? Do you believe the play critiques or celebrates the fluidity of roles in relationships?
Do you believe that the transformation of Katherine’s character by the end of the play is a sign of personal growth, or is it a demonstration of how societal norms can suppress individual identity? Support your argument with specific references.
Shakespeare often blends comedy and darker themes in his plays. How does The Taming of the Shrew balance these elements? Do you think the play succeeds in creating a comedic atmosphere while addressing complex themes like control and submission in relationships?
The Taming of the Shrew is often categorized as a comedy, yet its themes of power, control, and gender dynamics are deeply serious. How does the play’s comedic structure impact the audience’s interpretation of these themes? Do you think it diminishes or enhances their significance? Explain.
Consider the framing device of the Induction and its role in The Taming of the Shrew. How does the story of Christopher Sly influence your understanding of the play’s themes of identity and transformation? Does this device add depth or confusion to the overall narrative?
Katherine and Petruchio’s relationship is central to the play, but their dynamic evolves in unexpected ways. Do you believe Katherine’s submission in her final speech is genuine, ironic, or performative? How does your interpretation shape your view of their relationship?
Bianca is often contrasted with Katherine as the ideal woman, yet her actions reveal complexities and contradictions. Do you think Bianca represents genuine virtue, or is she just as strategic and manipulative as the other characters? Defend your opinion with examples from the text.
The Taming of the Shrew has been criticized for its portrayal of gender roles, yet some argue that it reflects Shakespeare’s nuanced understanding of power and agency. Do you believe the play reinforces traditional gender hierarchies, or does it subtly subvert them? Why?
Petruchio’s methods for "taming" Katherine are controversial. Do you think his actions are justified by the standards of the time, or do they cross a line even within the play’s historical context? How might a modern audience interpret his behavior differently?
In The Taming of the Shrew, disguise and deception play key roles in advancing the plot. How do these elements affect the relationships between characters, and what do they reveal about societal expectations and personal identity? Do they ultimately serve as tools for liberation or oppression?
Many productions of The Taming of the Shrew make deliberate choices in how they portray Katherine’s final speech. How would you stage this scene to align with your interpretation of the play’s message about gender and power? Why?
The Taming of the Shrew has been adapted and reimagined in various forms over the centuries. Why do you think the play continues to resonate with audiences, despite its controversial themes? What does this suggest about the universality or timelessness of its characters and conflicts?
Critics often debate whether The Taming of the Shrew should be viewed as a critique of patriarchy or a reinforcement of it. Where do you stand on this issue? Does the play leave room for multiple interpretations, or does it ultimately take a clear stance? Support your position with textual evidence.