English Composition with Essay

[hornj]

I am thinking about taking the English Composition with Essay. I am assuming there will not be a spell checker correct? Also could you give me some example essay topics? I think I could do the essay well if I did not get a hard topic.

Thanks a lot.

[annegirl]

There is not a spell checker. :eek:

Here are the sample topics from the official CLEP book.

#1. In describing the times of the French Revolution, Charles Dickens wrote:"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." Think about how Dickens' description might apply to today's times.

#2. There are no challenges so difficult, no goals so impossible , as the ones we set for ourselves.

#3.Nobody ever made any progress by being contented or satisfied. Discontent is vital to growth and development-whether we are talking about one person or a whole nation.

Google "five paragraph essays" and go over the directions. Focus on correct grammar, spelling and punctuation. Watch your time and GOOD LUCK!

[Ruddigore]

Here are the sample topics from the official CLEP book.

Wow, thanks! I too am taking the English Comp with Essay test (this Friday too :eek: ). I love English...

[annegirl]

Good luck! The waiting for your score part is killer. I'm sure you guys are going to do great!

[BELLA]

Wow, thanks! I too am taking the English Comp with Essay test (this Friday too :eek: ). I love English...

Please come back and share how it was. I am taking sometime soon, need it for TESC.

[Ruddigore]

Please come back and share how it was. I am taking sometime soon, need it for TESC.

I took the test yesterday! I can say with some confidence that it went very well.

I prepared using Peterson's tests, a Kaplan test, The Elements of Style (love that book!), and the IC flash cards. I felt very well prepared, particularly after I started the test: the real test felt much easier than the Peterson's tests.

The essay was fun. If you can type at a good rate and think on your toes, it shouldn't give you any problems. I wish I could share my topic, but College Board guards their topics as government secrets.

Hope the test goes even better for you all than for me!

[gregjohnson]

....I somehow missed the 5 paragraph part, just did a 3 paragraph essay - it nearly cost me a passing grade. I scored a 52, by far my lowest. Don't make the same mistake.

Good luck, Greg

[BELLA]

tks for sharing.................

the rest of us can confidently follow along........

[whitefrog]

I just took the exam and feel that the essay section was, by far, my strongest. Thanks for the help of members in this forum, I feel that my essay score will carry me into the land of the passing grade. Here are a few tips that I felt most helpful:

1. I divided my time into the following
a. 5 min - Free Thinking / Venn Diagram
b. 5 min - Create an Outline
c. 5 min - draft an opening statement (thesis) and paragraph
>>CHECK TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE STILL ON TARGET<<
d. 5 min - draft paragraph 1 (min. two supporting ideas)
e. 5 min - draft paragraph 2 (min. two supporting ideas)
f. 5 min - draft paragraph 3 (min. two supporting ideas)
>>CHECK TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE STILL ON TARGET<<
g. 5 min - draft conclusion (min. two supporting ideas)
h. 10 min - read through essay, refine transitions, clarify statements and make certain you stayed on target.

2. Learn about the 5 paragraph essay. Use Google and write down the structure. During the test, I transcribed the basic structure onto the provided scratch paper during the non-timed break. It's good to use it as a check off list.

3. My essay prompt was very expansive (about ideal citizenship), but I broke it down into personal experiences and how every generation defines citizenship by the events that shape their lives.

I walked out of the testing center feeling great having written one of the best essays of my life. Can't wait to see if the evaluator agrees... man it's going to be a long month!

BTW - I was told that the final grade will be mailed (hard copy) to my house when it becomes available in about a month.

[hornj]

Thanks for the help.
I am still woried about one thing. Lets say I got the same essay topic as whitefrog, and I didn't know what ideal citizenship was. Would it exlain it enough in giving the topic for me to pick a position and write a good essaY?

I just took the exam and feel that the essay section was, by far, my strongest. Thanks for the help of members in this forum, I feel that my essay score will carry me into the land of the passing grade. Here are a few tips that I felt most helpful:

1. I divided my time into the following
a. 5 min - Free Thinking / Venn Diagram
b. 5 min - Create an Outline
c. 5 min - draft an opening statement (thesis) and paragraph
>>CHECK TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE STILL ON TARGET<<
d. 5 min - draft paragraph 1 (min. two supporting ideas)
e. 5 min - draft paragraph 2 (min. two supporting ideas)
f. 5 min - draft paragraph 3 (min. two supporting ideas)
>>CHECK TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE STILL ON TARGET<<
g. 5 min - draft conclusion (min. two supporting ideas)
h. 10 min - read through essay, refine transitions, clarify statements and make certain you stayed on target.

2. Learn about the 5 paragraph essay. Use Google and write down the structure. During the test, I transcribed the basic structure onto the provided scratch paper during the non-timed break. It's good to use it as a check off list.

3. My essay prompt was very expansive (about ideal citizenship), but I broke it down into personal experiences and how every generation defines citizenship by the events that shape their lives.

I walked out of the testing center feeling great having written one of the best essays of my life. Can't wait to see if the evaluator agrees... man it's going to be a long month!

BTW - I was told that the final grade will be mailed (hard copy) to my house when it becomes available in about a month.