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CHAPTER 11

Test Taking II: Getting Results on Essay

Tests and Graded Projects

Keys to Effective Learning, 6e

Carol Carter, Joyce Bishop, and Sarah Lyman Kravits

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Habit for success:

Be flexible.

“Flexible people…have the capacity to change their minds as they receive additional data…they draw upon a repertoire of problem-solving strategies…They know when to think broadly and when to be detailed and concise.”

Art Costa

Keys to Effective Learning 6e,Ch11

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© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

How can you do your best work on essay tests?

Keys to Effective Learning 6e,Ch11

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© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Manage three areas for essay test success

• The details – read test directions and questions.

• Your time – map out how much time you have for each question.

• The plan – use the four steps of the writing process, even if time is short.

Keys to Effective Learning 6e,Ch11

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© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Essay Test Writing Process

• Plan: Create an informal outline or think link and come up with a thesis statement

• Draft: State your thesis and back it up with clear and concise support

• Revise: Reread, and if you need to, make deletions or use the margin to add

• Edit: Check for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and usage

Keys to Effective Learning 6e,Ch11

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© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Sample essay questions

• What led to Irish independence? What conflicts continued to exist after independence?

• How did Gandhi work to rid India of British control? What methods did he use?

From chapter 29 in Western Civilization: A Social and Cultural History, 2nd edition.

Prentice Hall, 2003.

Keys to Effective Learning 6e,Ch11

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© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Action verbs on essay tests

•Analyze•Compare•Contrast•Criticize•Define•Describe•Diagram•Discuss•Enumerate/list•Evaluate•Elaborate on

•Explain•Illustrate•Interpret•Justify•Outline•Prove•Refute•Relate•Review•State•Summarize•Trace

Keys to Effective Learning 6e,Ch11

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© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Don’t underestimate the power of clear, neat handwriting on an

essay test.

The most brilliant essay will fall flat if your instructor

can’t read it.

Keys to Effective Learning 6e,Ch11

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© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

How can you deliver an

effective team presentation?

Keys to Effective Learning 6e,Ch11

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© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Working with a teamOne of the most important skills for

school and workplace success• Pros: More ideas, and

accomplishment, than when working alone

• Cons: Individuals are not in control of quality or timing, and personalities can clash

Keys to Effective Learning 6e,Ch11

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© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Lay out the details first

Goals of the team• Tasks to be

completed• Each member’s

roles and responsibilities

Schedule• Interim and final

deadlines for tasks• Dates and times

for meetings

Keys to Effective Learning 6e,Ch11

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© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Be open-minded and cooperate.

Have others review your work, and review theirs.

Share ideas about what to change and improve.

Keys to Effective Learning 6e,Ch11

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© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

If you have to perform…

• Know everyone’s individual roles• Understand the setup (where you will

speak, where your audience will be, what technology you can use)

• Practice ahead of time• Relax and be yourself• Be prepared for questions

Keys to Effective Learning 6e,Ch11

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© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Making the most of virtual teams

• Use communication tools: e-mail, chat rooms, IMs, blogs

• Use the edit function on your word processing program to give and receive feedback

• Pick up the phone or meet in person when a real-time conversation is necessary

Keys to Effective Learning 6e,Ch11

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© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Real People Are Flexible

Abigail Holtz

Keys to Effective Learning 6e,Ch11

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© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

“More than anything, focus on effort, not outcome.

Take pride in the energy you put into [your work].

The results will take care of themselves.”

Fred Siegel

Keys to Effective Learning 6e,Ch11