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How can i study for a english assement test that is going to consist of a random essay topic?

Jose G - 2009-07-22 20:05:59 - Higher Education (University +)

This is a placement test for community college if i pass this assement i will be in english 101.

Best Answer:

You have to practice with different "prompts" or essay topics. There should be some sort of study books, or maybe you can find some examples online. Practice seeing a topic that you must write about, and churn out the best essay you can in whatever time period you will be given. Do quite a few of these in the format they want, and you will be fine.

Answers:

You have to practice with different "prompts" or essay topics. There should be some sort of study books, or maybe you can find some examples online. Practice seeing a topic that you must write about, and churn out the best essay you can in whatever time period you will be given. Do quite a few of these in the format they want, and you will be fine.

You cannot study in the usual way. Since the exam is unpreparable for in the usual sense, you should not be surprised it the essay question or questions 1. give you a reading passage and ask you to respond to it 2. ask you to exemplify or illustrate an idea or trait from your personal experience 3. deal with education or writing in some way. The best is to hang loose, to extend or push your idea as far as possible, and to show an awareness of belief or ideas other than you own. Writing concretely--not abstractly--usually helps. An awareness of alternatives will make your response seem more mature and considered.

This is a difficult one and a challenge in a subject which does not just ask you to simply regurgitate facts. I suggest that you go back and familiarise yourself with English metalanguage. eg. metaphor, simile, personification, puns, irony, hyperbole etc. It may also help to re-familiarise yourself with narrative structure / style and practice writing narratives using a concept ie. 'Journey'. I would also do some further reading on how to add interest to narratives, there are many good 'writers' websites that will help in this regard.