Examples of Successful SoS Questions for Our Final

Online submission deadline: Thursday, May 27, 11:59pm

Final Exam: Tuesday, June 1, 2-3:30pm, Lab 327
Parameters for our final:
– cannot bring any advance prep to the final
– open-book; open access to annotations and write-ups
– best answers include cited support, whether paraphrased or quoted
– timed: 45 mins. (+5 mins. prep + 10 mins. proofreading= 60 mins. total)

Types of Questions

• Comparisons
○ Find similarities and/or differences
○ Then explain how those shared or differing elements affect the
action, define a character, develop a theme, etc.
• Relation: Cause – Effect
○ Trace the origins of plot or character development back to its origin
○ Collect the various forces that cause a single change
○ Then suggest why there is this catalyst / result relationship between
these parts
• Relation: Part to Whole
○ Show how various events, characters, etc. are inter-related, i.e. a two-
way relationship
○ Define / name that relationship (small is like big; exception to rule;
magnifying, etc.)
○ Then suggest how and why the pieces are necessary to the whole;
how the whole defines the pieces
• Evaluation
○ Focus on one theme, event, character, etc. then explain how it
succeeds, fails, or some mix of both in terms of its main purpose or
role.
 In other words, measure how well / consistently / clearly an
element is argued or presented; do you buy it, believe in it,
understand it?
 Of course, that “main purpose or role” would have to be defined
• Development / Change
○ Focus on one theme, event, character, etc. then describe how it goes
from one state to another
 Could trace the change from beginning to end, or from one
event to another
○ Suggest why this change occurs

Qualities / Elements Included in Good Questions

• Requires textual support

• Allows answer to demonstrate knowledge / reading
○ Though we often write for an imagined / ideal general audience, an
exam is, by definition, an occasion to demonstrate to an instructor
 both what you have learned as well as how clearly and thoroughly you
can express that understanding
• Explains its own terms and asks for a response to do the same
• Sets expectations / requirements for success
○ Does not drive the desperate student to attempt mind-reading