Freshman English Second Semester Final Exam 2012 Study Guide:

Hi there. Here's what you need to know about your final.

1. It is 10% of your semester grade. The other 90% is split between the two quarter grades.

2. There are four parts to the test: a 25 point, 50 question vocab exam; a 43 question objective exam worth 43 points, an essay exam worth 100 points, and research you must do for said essay worth 32 points. So, that's four parts, 200 points total. Each part is explained below.

3. The vocab exam is self-explanatory. Focus on chapters 8-15.

4. The objective exam covers everything we learned this semester, from argument to haiku to sonnet and so on. Use your notes to prepare for this exam.

5. For the essay exam, you must do some outside research prior to the exam, and you will hand this research in with your final. The prompt you will be given is listed below, but you do not know which side of the argument you will be asked to take, so you must prepare for either side.

Argumentative essay: Recently, cell phones in schools have become a hot-button topic, with strong reasons for and against allowing cell phones in schools. Imagine your school is going to ban all cell phones from the campus, even from lockers and backpacks. Anyone caught with one will be immediately suspended, regardless of circumstance. In an essay, argue (FOR or AGAINST) this ban, citing evidence that you have collected. You must cite the evidence correctly, either in blocked or in-text citation form, or using a template from They Say I Say, as you build your case in order to get credit. You also must use one of the lead and conclusion techniques we have studied this year, stating it in your header.

6. Here is what you should do for your research: Find three facts that support the pro-cell phone side of the debate, and find three facts that support the anti-cell phone side of the debate. Write each fact on a 3x5 card, with the fact and source on the card. You will turn these cards in. Each is worth 5 points, for 30 total (I am throwing two points in free of charge just because I am a nice guy - no need to thank me).