Common Core English Regents

Preparation

© 2015 Tammy Manor http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/JugglingELA

The Common Core English Regents

• Reading Comprehension• 24 Multiple Choice Questions• Argumentative Essay (Five-paragraph

essay)• Text Analysis Writing (Two to three

paragraphs)

Part One

Reading comprehension with 24 questions requiring close reading and an understanding of the whole

text. There are three passages in this section:

• One literary nonfiction• One literature piece • One poem

Reading ComprehensionRead the questions first (promotes active reading)

Use a highlighter or pen to underline the essential part of the question

After two-three paragraphs, take notes in the margins

Look for context clues to figure out vocabulary words you don’t understand.

If you are to answer a question using line references, re-read that line in addition to the one ABOVE and BELOW

Part Two

Part two is an argumentative essay. Unlike the MOSL exam, the argumentative essay on the ELA Regents will have four passages for you to read.

It will not allow for drawing upon outside knowledge. You must draw from the texts only, writing a source

based argument.Make sure you use quotation marks and properly cite the different texts.

Argumentative EssayIntroduction: Includes a thesis (which is a claim and

3 reasons)1st body paragraph uses SEE method and explains

the 1st reason2nd body paragraph uses SEE method and explains

the 2nd reason3rd body paragraph uses SEE method and explains

the 3rd reasonCounterclaim: uses SEE method to explain the

opposing side and prove it weakConclusion: Restate thesis

Argumentative Essay

Paragraph #1 – Introduction

• Attention-grabbing beginning (hook) • Description of issue (what will be discuss in

the essay)• Thesis Statement (Claim + reasons)

Argumentative Essay

What is the SEE method?

• The SEE Method is just a way for us to remember what we need to include in each body paragraph that we write, no matter what type of writing we are doing.

• One reason this Method is so great is that it is easy to remember, plus it’s short & to the point

Argumentative Essay

State Claim

Include Evidence

Explain Evidence

We use the SEE method to help us craft arguments.

Argumentative Essay

• 1. The Claim—answer the question “What do I think?”

• 2. The reasons—answer the question “Why do I think this?”

• 3. The Evidence—answer the question “How do I know this?”

• 4. The Counterclaim---respond to what others think “Why are other arguments weaker than mine?”

Argumentative Essay

Conclusion• Restate your main premise• Provide a brief summary of your argument• Show how a group will benefit from following

your assertion• Explain what might happen if your idea is not

accepted• End with a rhetorical question• Ask for a call to action

Part Three

Part three asks for text analysis, not an extended response as in Part two. Write a two to three paragraph response that identifies a central idea, authors writing strategy or literary technique. (Similar to the paragraph responses on the old format of the exam.)

Things we don’t have to worry about anymore…

Bye bye boring listening passageBye bye critical lens essay

Practice makes perfect

Today we’re going to practice reading passages and answer multiple choice questions…

Make sure you:1.Read the questions before you read the

passages2.Annotate the passages while reading

Annotation is not highlighting.

Annotation slows down the reader in order to deepen

understanding.