1.
9th
Midterm Exam Review Guide:
The midterm breaks down as follows:
 Part I: Grammar (20 multiple choice questions, 1 point each)-
Commas/Colons/Semicolons
 Part II: Literary Terms and Skills (10 multiple choice questions, 1 point each)
 Part III: Poetry (15 multiple choice questions, 1 point each-similar to Poetry Quiz)
 Part IV: Close Reading-Tuesdays with Morrie (10 multiple choice questions, 1 point
each)
 Part V: Short Story Elements and Poetry-Short Answer
 Part VI: Persuasive Essay-Romeo and Juliet (1 question, 30 points total)
Part One: Grammar and Usage
Comma Rules:
L (list) Commas are used between items in a series, including coordinate adjectives modifying the same noun.
I (introductory elements) Commas follow such introductory elements as adverb clauses, long phrases, mild
interjections, or transitional expressions:
(adverb clause) Because his work was poor, he took the course again.
(long phrase) Exhausted from the race, the runner collapsed.
(interjection) Yes, life is hard.
(trans. exp.) Furthermore, we must strive to overcome the obstacles.
E (extra information) Commas are used to set off interrupters/extra information such as nonrestrictive words,
clauses, and phrases. Restrictive words, clauses, and phrases are not set off.
(restrictive) The boy who came to class early was an excellent student.
(nonrestrictive) Tom, who came to class early, was an excellent student.
S (sentences with coordinating conjunction) Commas are used between main clauses joined by a coordinating
conjunction (FANBOYS): sentence, conjunction sentence.

2.
Semi-Colon Rules:
…is placed between the main clauses of a compound sentence if no conjunction is used
Jim is ready; Mike is not.
…is used between main clauses joined by conjunctive adverbs or by phrases like for example, in fact, for instance
Mary is small; nevertheless, she is strong.
…is used between main clauses joined by a conjunction if the clause before the conjunction contains commas
We ate hot dogs, hamburgers, and salad; but we were still hungry.
…is used between a series of phrases if they contain commas.
We visited London, England; Paris, France; and Rome, Italy.
Colon Rules:
…is used to introduce a list of items, but never follows a verb.
We toured the following states: Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.
…is used to introduce a formal quotation.
He began by saying: “We are gathered here to make a hard decision.”
…is used between two sentences when the second explains the first.
The players were elated: they had won the homecoming game.
***Do not capitalize the second sentence unless more than one sentence follows.
Part Two: Terms
Metaphor
Simile

3.
Personification
Irony
Setting
Allusion
Paradox
1st
and 3rd
Point of View
Rhyme Scheme
Stanza
Shift
Iambic Pentameter
Symbolism
Theme
Tone
Mood
Imagery
1. Plot
 Exposition = the opening of a story, when characters, settings, and conflicts are introduced
 Rising Action = the part of the plot when suspense builds and conflicts intensify
 Climax = the “height” of the action; the “turning point” of the story
 Falling Action = the part of the story after the climax when the action calms and conflicts start to become
resolved
 Denouement/Resolution = “denouement” = “untying” or “unraveling;” the end of the story (may or may not
have resolution)
2. Character
 Protagonist = the central character in a story
 Antagonist = a character or force that opposes the protagonist in a story
 Foils = characters who contrast each other in some major way; set up to emphasize a particular trait
 Static/flat characters = characters who do not change over the course of a story
 Dynamic/round characters = characters who change, grow, or develop over the course of a story
 Archetypes = universal character types that occur throughout literature)
 Direct characterization = the writer makes clear and direct statement about a character’s personality
 Indirect characterization = the writer reveals information about a character through thoughts, actions, other
characters’ opinions, etc. (we must infer what the character is like)
 External conflict = a struggle between a character and an outside force (man vs. man, nature, society, the
supernatural, and technology)
 Internal conflict = a struggle that takes place within a character’s mind (man vs. himself)
3. Language
 Motif = a recurring word, phrase, image, action, theme, etc. in a work of literature
 Diction = word choice
 Syntax = the pattern of how an author arranges words into phrases and broader structures
 Denotation = the dictionary definition of a word
 Connotation = the idea or feeling associated with a word, beyond its literal definition
4. SOAPSTone

4.
 Who is the Speaker?
The voice that tells the story. Why is this voice important? What are their experiences.
 What is the Occasion?
The time and the place of the piece; the context that prompted the writing. Why did someone feel
they needed to tell this story?
 Who is the Audience?
The group of readers to whom this piece is directed.
 What is the Purpose?
The reason behind the text-inform/entertain/persuade/evaluate
 What is the Subject?
Should be able to state the subject in a few words or phrases.
 What is the Tone?
The attitude of the author. Look for one word responses here.
5. DIDLS
 Details-important information that is included as well as important information that is left out
 Imagery-The images and descriptions that are created
 Diction-Word Choice
 Language-How all of the words and sentences work together to help to create meaning
 Syntax-The way the words are arranged in the sentences
6.Rhetorical Triangle
 Ethos-Credibility of author
 Pathos-Appealing to the audience through emotion
 Logos-The actual message being presented through logic/reason/personal stories/etc.
Part Three: Poetry-Review your poetry quiz and poetry terms above
Part Four:Close Reading-Tuesdays With Morrie-Have a general understanding of the story-Review your
Quizzes
Part Five:Review Terms above
Part Six:
Persuasive Writing Format Outline-We will discuss this in more depth before the midterm
Intro:
*Hook: 1 Sentence
*Narrow Down/
Introduce Topic-2 sentences

5.
*Specific Thesis including three main
points-1sentence
Body Paragraphs(3):
Body Paragraph One:
#1 (Topic Sentence- Mention first topic that appeared in your thesis)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
#2 ( Concrete Detail/Example Number One in support of your opinion-One Quote Example from text)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
# 3(Analysis about Example-One Sentence )
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
#4(Concrete Detail/Example Number Two in support of your opinion-One Quote from text)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
#5 ( Analysis about Example-One Sentence)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
# 6(The Turn Against/Counter-Argument-One Sentence-Don’t forget a transition)

6.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
#7(The Turn Back-One last additional thought to prove your opinion-One Sentence-does not need to be a
quote)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
#8 (Closing Sentence/Tie back to the overall point/topic-One Sentence)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Body Paragraph Two:
#1 (Topic Sentence- Mention second topic that appeared in your thesis)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
#2 ( Concrete Detail/Example Number One in support of your opinion-One Quote Example from text)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
# 3(Analysis about Example-One Sentence )
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
#4(Concrete Detail/Example Number Two in support of your opinion-One Quote from text)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

7.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
#5 ( Analysis about Example-One Sentence)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
# 6(The Turn Against/Counter-Argument-One Sentence-Don’t forget a transition)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
#7(The Turn Back-One last additional thought to prove your opinion-One Sentence-does not need to be a
quote)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
#8 (Closing Sentence/Tie back to the overall point/topic-One Sentence)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Body Paragraph Three:
#1 (Topic Sentence- Mention third topic that appeared in your thesis)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
#2 ( Concrete Detail/Example Number One in support of your opinion-One Quote Example from text)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
# 3(Analysis about Example-One Sentence )
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

8.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
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#4(Concrete Detail/Example Number Two in support of your opinion-One Quote from text)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
#5 ( Analysis about Example-One Sentence)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
# 6(The Turn Against/Counter-Argument-One Sentence-Don’t forget a transition)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
#7(The Turn Back-One last additional thought to prove your opinion-One Sentence-does not need to be a
quote)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
#8 (Closing Sentence/Tie back to the overall point/topic-One Sentence)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Conclusion Paragraph:
*Re-state Thesis-One Sentence
*Summarize points-One Sentence
*End with closing thought-One

9.
Sentence