Mulhern's English Site

Scholars:  It is good to read examples of analytical writing because it helps you understand how to write your own analysis essays. The habit of reading and studying models (examples) is the best way to learn how to write more effectively. Below is an analysis that I wrote on MLK's "I Have a Dream" Speech.

Avoid "I think," "I believe" in your sentences. Since you are writing the essay, we know that you think and believe the thoughts you have included. Those words are redundant. Eliminating them will make your essay stronger and also save time. Similarly, for your last paragraph, do not begin the first sentence with "In conclusion." We know it's your conclusion because it is your last paragraph. Again, this is a waste of time and redundant.

The information in this document was excerpted from the Draft of Grades 9-10 English Language Arts Item Specifications that is posted on the Florida Department of Education website.   A few of the Item Stems were created by me. You may find it useful to have students use the sample Item Stems to create questions for what they are reading in class.

(Information from Florida DOE website) Hot Text items  require the student to either click on a response option  or  drag a response option to another location. In the drag-a-response option, the student may be given five possible responses, for example. The student then must click on and drag one or more responses to a space in a chart, list, or graphic organizer. Hot Text items may also require students to select/highlight details from a text (words, phrases, or sentences).  Some Hot Text items are two part.  For example, Part A asks the student, "Which is a theme of the passage?" and Part B asks the student, "Which detail supports the development of the theme in Part A?"

Writing Prompt: (from the Florida Department of Education website) I t’s no secret that sometimes great discoveries come as a result of really big mistakes. But are they always worth the problems they cause? Sometimes the mistakes lead to greatness, and sometimes they lead to disaster.  Are mistakes key to making discoveries?

Guidelines for Responding to an Argumentative Prompt The format of the argumentative prompt on the English Assessment resembles the one below (see italics). Familiarize yourself with the wording and requirements:

(Some changes need to be made for the 2016-2017 year.) The information below was excerpted from the Florida Department of Education website. First, check out the following links for a calendar of important testing dates: Grades 9-11 FSA  Writing Assessment Grades 9–10 English Language Arts Item Specifications Florida Standards Assessments Text-based Writing Stimulus and Prompt Guidelines 

Thinking, Nicholas Roerich (1918) The DOE sample prompt reads as follows:

Brainstorming/Planning Strategies for Answering the FSA ELA Writing Prompt— Note Taking While You Read and Highlight Know that this prompt  requires you to plan and revise.  You will be given a sheet of paper to take notes. All good writing requires planning. Below are some suggestions for the reading, note-taking, and planning process:

Creation, Diego Rivera (1922-1923) D ue February 28, 2017 Directions: Copy the vocabulary words. Most of them have been taken from your textbook; some words/terms are not typical vocabulary words (for example, names of places or allusions to famous things); nevertheless, you should know them. Look up the definitions and parts of speech of each word. Write both in your notebook. ( You must handwrite this assignment;  not type, or cut and paste). For each of the words, find an excellent context sentence by googling the Internet (always cite your source within parentheses after the sentence--the name of the website). In addition, create an  excellent  context sentence  of your own.  Please clearly label the "googled" sentence and your "own" sentence:  "I" for Internet sentence; "My" for the sentence that you create. Also highlight the vocabulary word in each sentence. All of this work should be written on loose-leaf paper in your note...

Jones 1 Suzie Jones                                                                                      Professor Mulhern English III, Period Three 6 February 2017 Essay on Native American Literature

Review your paper to make sure the following criteria have been met. If not, indicate changes, so any revised copy is improved. Content/Organization/Structure 1. Essay has at least five paragraphs. 2. Each paragraph has at least five sentences. 3. Opening paragraph contains a strong thesis.

Your essay must be typewritten, MLA format, double-spaced, 12-point Times Roman font, one-inch margins. Late papers will not be accepted. Plan ahead. You have plenty of notice. See other posts on Native American Literature by using Search Box: "Native American." The other posts explain how to plan, generate ideas, and format. The most important posts are "Native American Essay Sample Introductory Paragraph" and "Native American Essay Checklist."

Woman with Yellow Hat, Pablo Picasso (no date) Due February 7, 2017  Directions: Copy the vocabulary words. Most of them have been taken from your textbook; some words/terms are not typical vocabulary words (for example, names of places or allusions to famous things); nevertheless, you should know them. Look up the definitions and parts of speech of each word. Write both in your notebook. ( You must handwrite this assignment;  not type, or cut and paste). For each of the words, find an excellent context sentence by googling the Internet (always cite your source within parentheses after the sentence--the name of the website). In addition, create an  excellent  context sentence  of your own.  Please clearly label the "googled" sentence and your "own" sentence:  "I" for Internet sentence; "My" for the sentence that you create. Also highlight the vocabulary word in each sentence. All of this work should be written on loose-leaf paper i...

http://www.bestcolleges.com/resources/act-prep/ Juniors should take this test, as well as the SAT. Be prepared.