English Composition with Essay, Suggestions?

[jeff]

I am currently studying for the English Composition with Essay exam using the Princeton Review Cracking the CLEP book. I took the practice exam last night and scored 44 out of 50 correct.

I also have the REA book but have not studied it. I took a practice exam from the REA book this morning and the questions seem to be much more difficult. I only scored 29 out of 50 correct.

Does anyone have any experience as to which practice exam questions are more representative of the actual CLEP exam?

I am also having problems writing the essay. I know that the essay is to have an introduction or thesis, three main points, and a conclusion. I am spending all of my time creating the outline. My problem is that I cannot seem to develop the main points. I just freeze up and cannot think of anything regardless of the subject.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can get past this?

Thanks in advance,

[earlybird]

Write an essay every day if you can, and get the system down. I wrote 13 essays before my test and had them critiqued by my parents, who are both English teachers, which really, really helped. It was simple once I got to the actual test. Don't spend a long time on your outline (like 5 minutes). Don't worry about the formula too much. You'll want all of that 45 minutes to write, edit, and rewrite if you have to.

The multiple choice part is really just common sense English. There aren't trick questions. REA is usually a good gauge of what the test will be like (in my experience).

Good luck! The biggest suspense with this test is not getting you score right away!

[P00057870]

First find out if the college you want to go to will accept this. I did this a few years ago for my local community college and when I transferred credits to EC recently, they are not currently accepting it FOR ANYTHING!

Now at StraighterLine trying to get those credits again to finish the AS and be on the way to my BS.

Heads up, folks!

[jeff]

First find out if the college you want to go to will accept this.

I am planning on attending TESC, although I am currently not enrolled.

I want to make sure that I am totally prepared for this exam because the only other option would be to take the classes.

I did okay on the Princeton Review practice exam, but based on my score on the REA practice exam, I could probably use more study on the multiple choice section.

Since I am having such a hard time with brainstorming the supporting ideas, I am going to cancel my exam appointment and practice writing some timed essays over the next several weeks.

Can anyone suggest a resource for essay prompts that I can use to practice?

What type of essay do you have to write for the CLEP exam (i.e. persuasive, narrative)?

[cookderosa]

<<I am also having problems writing the essay. I know that the essay is to have an introduction or thesis, three main points, and a conclusion. I am spending all of my time creating the outline. My problem is that I cannot seem to develop the main points. I just freeze up and cannot think of anything regardless of the subject.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can get past this?

Thanks in advance>>



DON'T CANCEL!

Yes, I have suggestions! Ok, the CLEP essay will be a point of view style topic, so your main points will be very easy when it comes down to it (example follows). Your outline is correct, you should be using the 5 paragraph format. An outline is a good idea, but if you can practice a few times, you can fast forward and simply jot down 3 main points or thesis and run. You won't have a lot of time- just stay on track.
A sample question is something like this:

All's well that ends well. Do you find this to be a good way to live? Explain.


You might jot down 3 quick main points that prove (or disprove) your answer.

If this were my essay, I might do my outline like this:

Thesis: Ends don't justify means (or do, if that's your argument)

Then 3 reasons why I believe this
a) legal
b) ethical
c) religious

then go, go, go!

Remember, it isn't about the subject, it's about your structure.

Let me add, you can also lie. :eek: Pick the position that you will have the easiest time articulating and forming an argument/position for (quickly). I could just as easily argue 3 reasons why the ends DO justify the means, but I'd have to be creative and apply a lot of thought- no time for that in this type of assignment. Pick the answers that come to you first/easily, and your writing is more likely to flow.
Good luck to you, and I hope you found that a little helpful!

[jeff]

DON'T CANCEL!

Thanks for the advice Jennifer, but I already cancelled.

I was scheduled to take the exam tomorrow morning and to be honest, I did not feel prepared. I am usually primed to take an exam, but not this time. My result on the REA practice exam was horrible.

I value your suggestions. I am sure they will prove to be very helpful.

All's well that ends well. Do you find this to be a good way to live? Explain.

Will the prompt not have more explanation? I am not sure if I would have come up with the same thesis you did.

Will the essay prompt always be agree or disagree?

How many sentences would be appropriate to explain each reason?

Sorry to ask so many questions, but I can honestly say that I am not sure if I have written an essay in my lifetime. High school was 30 years ago and I was usually in shop class.

[earlybird]

Here is a page with some practice topics:
English Composition Sample Essay; expert help and advice to improve your writing. These are a similar format (in terms of topic information) to the test.

I used these when I was practicing. The trick is to not read the topics before you sit down to practice. You're not going to know the topic beforehand on the actual exam, so don't read them before you practice. Just turn on the timer and go!

I was taught that no less than 5 sentences make a paragraph, so that's what I did on my test. 5 paragraphs, 5 sentences each should work.

And I took different positions from what I really think on several of my essays because it was just an easier argument to make.

I'm sure you'll do great when you reschedule.

[cookderosa]

Thanks for the advice Jennifer, but I already cancelled.

I was scheduled to take the exam tomorrow morning and to be honest, I did not feel prepared. I am usually primed to take an exam, but not this time. My result on the REA practice exam was horrible.

I value your suggestions. I am sure they will prove to be very helpful.



Will the prompt not have more explanation? I am not sure if I would have come up with the same thesis you did.

Will the essay prompt always be agree or disagree?

How many sentences would be appropriate to explain each reason?

Sorry to ask so many questions, but I can honestly say that I am not sure if I have written an essay in my lifetime. High school was 30 years ago and I was usually in shop class.

Well, when I took the test, I came off of 18 years post high school, and I spent high school in home ec....so.....

Seriously, if you didn't feel ready, then you did the right thing. Basics- you were on the money with the 5 paragraph format. Each paragraph can be roughly 5 sentences (sometimes I use 6, but never 4). That you didn't have my same thesis doesn't matter, the point of the paper is to demonstrate structure/technique.
To put it another way- having 5 paragraphs with 5 sentences each, an opening and closing written in reasonable English means you are 90% there. Your style, flair, use of words, etc make up the remaining portion- and I wouldn't worry too much about that. At your age <smile> you know how to speak, just write that way. If you can't spell a word, sub it out hilarious


EDIT: Looking over your scores, you sell yourself short my friend. You are bright, and you'll do fine.

[jeff]

earlybird,

Thanks so much for the link. I will certainly use those prompts to practice.

Jennifer,

Thank you for all of the helpful advice and the compliment.

I plan on writing a few timed essays per week to get the hang it, and then I will reschedule.

You have both been very helpful, it is greatly appreciated. It is people like you that make this forum so valuable.