PART 1. 20 minutes SHORT ANSWER (15-50 words)

1) Respond briefly to the novel you read this semester. Include author and title.

2) Respond briefly to one poem you’ve read this semester. Include author and title.

3) Respond briefly to one work of non-fiction you’ve read this semester. Include author and title.

4) Respond briefly to one short story you’ve read this semester. Include author and title.
5) Identify characteristics of a “strong” thesis statement (identify the 4T’s plus any other ideas)

6) State the question/s you are trying to answer in your paper (the literary or environmental problem you are trying to solve)

7) State your thesis

OPTIONAL You may include specific questions for me about your paper and I will try to address them during the midterm, or you can ask after class, or you can email them to me.

Insert your draft into your blue book and turn in. If you do not have a draft, you might take this time to draft one here or at least outline your ideas, but realize that that will cut into your time to respond to the second part of the exam.

I will do my best to return your drafts before the end of class.

PART 2. 50 minutes.

CHOOSE ONE of the following prompts. Use Word, 12 point font, Times or Ariel. 2-3 pages, 750 words. You may use your texts and/or your portfolio. Print out here and email to the instructor at gwendolynalley[at] yahoo. com; email a copy for yourself.

1) Using examples, quotes, paraphrases and/or summaries from 2-5 texts we have studied or read, discuss (analyze, compare contrast etc):

–our theme of the environment and environmental problem solving (you might consider Al Young’s To Do List, an Inconvenient Truth, the Patagonia catalogue, Mary Oliver’s “The Walnut Tree” as well as MLK and other “dreams” etc)
– OR the process of writing and revision (you might consider Anzaldua, Carver’s revision of the Bath, Goldberg etc)

– AND/OR your developing aesthetics about what makes a text “literature” and worthy of academic study

–AND/OR your developing aesthetic for poetry or literature in general by discussing what you’ve liked so far and why

2) Discuss argumentation in An Inconvenient Truth. Include at least one example of a narrative device, an appeal, and a fallacy.

3) Compare and contrast the openings of Ray Carver’s “The Bath” and “A Small Good Thing.” How does this change the reader’s experience or understanding of the story?

4) Discuss symbolism in Louise Erdrich’s “The Red Convertible” for example the color red, the convertible itself, etc. You might consider how does this symbolism foreshadow what happens to Henry?