The Prelim!!!

The prelim (just like the final exam) consists of two papers. Paper 1 is a close reading paper and paper 2 is the critical essay paper.


Paper 1:

You have 90 minutes to read and answer questions on two passages. The examiner will be testing your skills in Understanding, Analysis and Evaluation.

Understanding: In your own words and context questions

Analysis: link question, sentence structure, imagery, word choice.

Evaluation: the last question will always ask you to compare the two passages and show which passage you think is the most effective at conveying the information in a certain way. This question is always worth a number of marks and should be treating like a mini essay. You must comment on both passages if you hope to gain full marks.

Paper 2:

You have to write two essays in 90 minutes (roughly 45 minutes each) on two different genre. You cannot write two essays from the same section.

The examiner will be looking to see your understanding of the text, your understanding of the question, your analysis skills, your evaluation skills and you actual writing ability. You can fail on your own inability to spell, punctuate or structure.

You must finish the essays or you will automatically fail.