Diploma Exam Part A: Personal Response to Text (PRT)


Details
  • For this portion of the exam, you will be given a topic, and you will be asked to write a personal response about this topic, based on a text(s) provided on the exam.
  • You must respond in prose (not poetry), which means you can write an essay, story, journal, or script, as long as it responds to the prompt and refers to the text(s) indicated.
Tips

  • Read the topic and the instructions carefully. Decide on which type of response you will write. Then make a plan to keep yourself organized as you write.
  • If you are writing an essay - plan the thesis and topic sentences.
  • If you are writing a story - sketch out the plot map (initial event, rising action, climax, falling action, and denouement).
  • If you are writing another kind of response - be sure to organize it so it is easy for the reader to follow.
  • You will be marked on your ability to connect personally to the topic, so it is very important that you do so. This means either incorporating stories from your life, and/or really showing your personality through your "voice" - word choice, details, creativity. You are allowed to use the first person (I/me/my) in a personal response.

How You'll Be Marked:
  • Ideas and impressions (your exploration of the topic; your ideas and reflection; your support in relation to your ideas and impressions)
  • Supporting detail (your voice in relation to your created context and prose form; your stylistic choices [including quality and correctness of language and expression] and your creation of tone; your development of a unifying effect)

How to Study

  • Diploma Exam Information:  Information Bulletin, Scoring Guide, Guide for Students, and Released Items
  • Review the major texts you have studied in this course. Know the key themes, the characters, the author's name, important events.
  • Take a look at your lessons in English 30-1 on personal responses. Review your personal response assignments: what were your strengths and where did you need to improve?
  • Choose a format that suits your strengths. If you are not confident writing a script, it is not the time to experiment. Focus on what you know how to do.