the finals are coming, the finals are coming!

Curious about finals?

I suppose that is fair. Let me say a few words, then. First of all:


OK, that being said...

The final is only going to count for about 5% of your grade. It will not adversely affect you unless

1. Your grade going into the exam rests almost exactly on the edge between two grades, and
2. You score significantly lower than your average on the exam.

This is an unlikely scenario. In 99% of all cases, you'll get whatever you'd have gotten without the final.

So why, you might well ask, worry about the final at all? Good question, and I have a good answer. Actually I have two.

1. Personal: It is a way to measure your progress, as it is the exact type of exam you receive at midterm in all three of your first years at LFHS;
2. Practical: Final exam grades are reported on your transcript.

OK, for those who have forgotten, here's how it works:

You will receive a story that you have in all likelihood never seen before. From there, you'll have two hours to read it and compose an essay about it. Simple, right?

Here is the ACTUAL prompt:

Step 1:

Write your name, the date, and your teacher’s name on the back of your composition paper. Do not write this information on the front of your paper.

Step 2:

This exam tests your reading as well as your writing skills. Be sure to read the story carefully. If time permits, reread the story to be sure you understand the message(s).

Step 3: Prompt

Write an essay that explores an important idea suggested by this story.

That idea may relate to a character or characters in the story, a dominant theme that emerges from it, or literary techniques the author uses to convey its central concepts. You may also use a combination of these approaches if you prefer.

Before you begin writing, plan your essay using any strategies you have found helpful—brainstorming, outlining, free writing, webbing, etc.

Focus your essay on a strong thesis statement; use mapping statements, mapping points, or some other clear plan to establish the paper’s organization; and prove your

arguments with solid textual support.

Remember, this essay is an exploration of ideas, not a plot summary.

Step 4: Editing

Go back and edit your piece.

Before you hand in your essay, check to be sure that you have included your name, the date, and your teacher’s name on the back of each page of your essay. Staple the pages of your essay if at all possible.

And here is my suggestion for how to proceed on the exam date:

1. Take a deep breath. (Don't panic, remember?)
2. Read the story, no pen in hand, just to experience it.
3. Try to formulate a thesis about it that you can test while re-reading the story.
4. Re-read it, highlighter in hand, searching for evidence of your thesis or, if you were unable to come up with a tentative thesis before, seeking to formulate one now.
5. After re-reading, organize your thoughts into an outline. Be sure you have a thesis, map, and support for points on the map.
6. Think of a good way to open, and start writing.
7. At the end, return to your opening idea as a way to bring things to a close.
8. Put a title on it that reflects the thesis and the opening idea.

You may bring the rubric (which is of course right here on the blog, linked to the right) and handwritten notes. You can't, unfortunately, just print this out and bring it with you. Not allowed. You may also bring dictionaries or thesauruses. I'd advise bringing extra paper and pens; rooms have been known to run out.

Any questions? You know how to ask them!

--kt