College Composition

[Lee-Ann]

Has anyone taken the college composition CLEP exam? What are some of the best study resources? Can anyone give me any guidance for this exam?

[publius2k4]

Has anyone taken the college composition CLEP exam? What are some of the best study resources? Can anyone give me any guidance for this exam?

I passed this test on the first try with no preparation. That won't help you much, I know, since I can't comment on study resources, but you can look at the CLEP website for a lot more in depth information about the test:

CLEP College Composition

You could also do a "Search" of this forum using the search bar located on the top right of this page. There have been MANY posts regarding this exam. I just did a "title" search, and found 62 results with "CLEP college composition" in the title.

[Daithi]

I write well enough that I didn't think I would have any problem with this test --- I was wrong. This is one of my lowest scoring CLEPs, because I ran out of time and didn't finish either writing prompt. If I had it to do over again, I would have practiced with some SAT writing prompts as they are very similar to the CLEP writing prompts. I went in over confident, and the time just flew by way faster than I expected.

One book that I did find useful was They Say / I Say by Gerald Graff. It has lots of templates to help you write something that sounds sufficiently academic. I found it very helpful, but as I said, I just wish I would have done a few timed practice essays before taking the exam.

On the other hand, at least you know that it is possible to pass the composition exam without finishing either essay. I scored a 56 on the exam. One essay may have looked finished, but it was only a brief thesis paragraph (just two sentences), two argumentative paragraphs, and a very brief closing paragraph. I intended to write a third argumentative paragraph and a more flushed out closing paragraph, but ran out of time. The other essay was even worse. The computer locked me out mid senten

[Westerner]

My feedback from when I took this test:

Passed this test with 61 in August 2012. Whew! I got 84%, 72% and 88% on the 3 Petersons tests (multiple-choice sections). Those were accurate to the real test. Then I practiced writing essays that were 5 paragraphs and over 300 words in length.

Here's how I did my essays (for the 30 minute prompt).

1. Introduction: Start with an attention-getting sentence. Question, quote, or jarring statement is best Present the problem, maybe mention some pros and cons, and end with why a certain option is best (your thesis statement). You really don't have to use "I," just say your thesis statement like it's a fact. The testers already know they're going to be hearing your point of view, so put it right out there!

Body paragraphs:
2. Point 1: Present a point for your side. Use stats, quotes, whatever—to back it up.

3. Point 2: Another point for your side.

4. Point 3: Last point for your side.
OR
Point 3: Present some cons against your argument and debunk them.

5. Conclusion: Wrap everything up. Summarize each of your 3 paragraphs in a sentence. Restate your thesis statement. Finish with a strong clincher or quote, and you're done!

Some other things to consider:
--You can arrange your 3 points from most important to least, or least important to most. Depends on your prompt and personal preference.
--Don't forget the topic and clincher sentences for each paragraph.
--For some topics, like a compare-contrast essay, you'd take the topic, discuss 2 opposing issues related to the subject in each paragraph and state the best one. Like for, "are fish or birds better pets?" you could look at costs in the first body paragraph, effort required in the second, and enjoyability in the third. So you'd discuss pros and cons in each paragraph, but don't forget to sum up what you decided in a topic sentence.
--Outlines help some people. I only used them for when I was just starting to practice essay writing, and then I didn't need them.
--Don't worry!! With practice you'll get better!

The Petersons practice tests have a section on the 40 minute essay, where they give you those 2 sources—that was pretty much all I used to prep for that section, and it worked.

On the test, you do the 30-minute essay first. Then you can get a little break before advancing to the 40-minute-with-sources one. On your computer, you'll have "cut" and "paste" buttons, but no "copy."

On the Clep, my first essay topic was a broad one and I had to pick a specific thing to write about (which was so much easier than all the practice essay topics I had ). My second essay topic was on changes in schools. I was given a pro argument and a con argument. Make sure you use BOTH sources in your essay!

[Nichelenole]

I took this exam Monday so I'm still waiting for results. I thought IC was spot on with the multiple choice section. I breezed through IC and petersons and felt confident. For the essay portion, Westerner gave some great advice. Know how to compose a 5 paragraph essay and practice with a few prompts from the web. I did not have the official clep book but searched the web and found a collegeboard scoring guideline PDF that gave examples of essays written and their corresponding scores with explanations. It helped me get a gist of what they were looking for. I also spent the morning of the exam writing just to get in the mood.

[Lee-Ann]

Thank you all very much for your answers and help. I really appreciate it. With the first essay, what sources may I use? Or is it just an essay you write with own knowledge?

[publius2k4]

Thank you all very much for your answers and help. I really appreciate it. With the first essay, what sources may I use? Or is it just an essay you write with own knowledge?

It's somewhat difficult to prepare yourself for the essay portion, but it does help to know what they are looking for. They are not really grading the content of your essay. They're more concerned with the mechanics of your essay, and seeing if you can convey a complete thought in a logical sense in writing at the college level.