As the semester progresses:
For each major work you may want to organize your notes according to the following suggested patterns:
– Plot: what is the major conflict? How is it developed? What are the minor conflicts?
– Literary Devices: what devices of plot has the author used? For what purpose?
– Setting and Mood: what are the major settings, locations of the story? How do the settings contribute to atmosphere?
– Character: who are the major characters? Who are the minor characters? How is each character developed?
For the exam:
Try to see relationships between events. Make summaries, charts, and graphs to help organize events and to see patterns. Memorize a few quotes that emphasize or support your points.
Quiz yourself on the literary devices. Make a definition sheet with the term on one side, and the definition on the other. Fold the definitions over, and define them for yourself.
Re-read your books and short stories. If you don’t have time, then use a resource like “sparknotes.com”
Study your old tests and exams. Make sure you can answer those questions correctly.
Try asking yourself questions and answering them.
