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MINISTERIAL EXAMINATION OF COLLEGE ENGLISH
LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND LITERATURE

WRITING GUIDELINES

12 May 2004


The task: Write a 750-word essay that explores a main idea in one of the three readings. Your essay should include an interpretation of the reading and discussion of the ways in which the author develops his/her ideas. Make sure that your essay does more than simply summarize the reading; make sure, as well, that you write the required number of words.



READING 1: An essay

Identify a main idea in Holt's text, and structure your essay around a thesis statement that expresses your perspective on Holt's argument. Justify your own position on the issue(s) he raises. Make appropriate references to his essay, and be sure to comment on his use of techniques and devices*.

Text :  “The Right to Control One's Learning” by John Holt

Reference : 

Holt, John. “The Right to Control One's Learning.” Prose Models. Seventh Edition. Ed. Gerald Levin. Orlando, Florida: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1987. 349-355.


READING 2: A short story

Identify a main idea in Smith's short story, and structure your essay around a thesis statement that expresses your interpretation of her unconventionally structured story. Make appropriate references to the reading, and be sure to comment on her use of techniques and devices*.

Text :  “erosive” by Ali Smith

Reference : 

Smith, Ali. “erosive.” the whole story and other stories. London: Hamish Hamilton, 2003. 99-105.


READING 3: A short story

Identify a main idea in Levine's short story, and structure your essay around a thesis statement that expresses your interpretation of his thought-provoking story. Make appropriate references to his text, and be sure to comment on his use of techniques and devices*.

Text :  “To Blisland” by Norman Levine

Reference : 

Levine, Norman. “To Blisland.” Champagne Barn. Markham, Ontario: Penguin Canada, 1984. 175-179.


* 

Techniques and devices may include the following: allusion, analogy, characterization, comparison, contrast, description, dialogue, diction, enumeration, example, imagery, irony, level of language, metaphor, narration, narrative point of view, repetition, rhetorical questions, setting, simile, symbolism, and tone. You may be familiar with others as well.


© Gouvernement du Québec, 2009