how to write english regents essay

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How to Write an English Regents Task Essay

Writing an English Regents Essay Task Essay can be simple as long you follow your teacher's instructions and read the exam's guidelines. The Regents exam for English is conducted in four parts labeled: Task 1 through 4. For this exam, the number of essays can vary, depending on the new requirements for each school year. Nonetheless, at least one essay is written in one category that examines a student's ability to read, write and listen. The categories are information and understanding, literary response and expression, critical analysis and evaluation and social interaction.

Listen to your teacher's instructions and listen to the passage being read out loud or read it yourself. Take notes from the passage, speech, quote or piece of literature you're being tested on. Notes should focus on the facts presented in the piece, the plot, examples and the key elements: "who, what, when, where and why." Include notes on tone, characterization, message, theme, moral, setting, conflict, imagery, symbolism and foreshadowing when examining passages from a literary standpoint.

Create a short outline, if allowed, from your notes for the essay you're writing. Format your outline in three main sections: introduction, body and conclusion. Include a thesis statement and briefly list points showing how you'll support it in the introduction. List the main points that strengthen the thesis and support your points by adding details and examples in the body. The conclusion section should close your essay, restate your thesis and summarize your main points. Re-read the passage and your notes to make sure you've included the important information. Your outline should give you a basic idea of how your essay will be formed.

Write your essay according to the topic and guidelines you're given. Structure it like your outline so that it has an introduction, body and a conclusion. Add the outline's information, explain each main point and include examples and details to support them. Remember that the general essay guidelines want you to show your understanding of information, reading comprehension, ability to interpret literary themes, and critically evaluating and analyzing passages.

State your thesis in the introduction. If the essay is persuasive, then state a point of view in your thesis and why it is correct. Explain how or why the audience should be persuaded to your side. The persuasive essays are usually about informational and speech passages provided in the exam. Form your thesis according to the exam instructions given for the essay because they usually ask you a question or tell you what they want from the essay.

Declare if you're comparing or analyzing a literary piece in the thesis of a critical lens or thematic essay. Identify literary elements or controlling ideas and briefly define them in the introduction in Task 3 of the exam, as you'll be discussing two different literary pieces. For the critical lens essay, present the lens in your thesis and state your position. Summarize your interpretation and why you agree or disagree in the introduction and mention the two pieces of literature you'll be analyzing to explain your reasoning.

Structure the body to include supporting ideas, details and examples to solidify your thesis. Use the passages provided for details in your persuasive or thematic essays. Take examples, quotes or literary elements from the works you're comparing for your critical essay and use them to explain, analyze and argue your point.

Avoid summarizing plot in your essays unless they are supportive examples. Make sure the body is coherent and logical.

Conclude your essay by restating your thesis. Summarize the points in it you used to support your thesis. For the critical lens essay, briefly point out why your argument was correct.

Things You'll Need

• New York State High School: Regents Prep Center: English: Regents Comprehensive Examination in English
• Massena Central School District: J. Mittiga: How to Write a Regents Essay

Vanessa Knight has been writing since 2007. Her articles for various websites cover topics in literature, writing and technology. Knight holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Arts in literature.

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Regents Text-Analysis Response (Task 3)

The New York State English Regents which is taken in 11th grade is composed of three tasks: Reading Comprehension (Task 1), Argument Essay (Task 2), and Text-Analysis Response (Task 3).  The following will help you with the text-analysis response.

Text-Analysis Response Directions on the NYS Regents :

Your Task : Closely read the text provided on pages — and  — and write a well-developed, text-based response of two to three paragraphs. In your response, identify a central idea in the text and analyze how the author’s use of one writing strategy (literary element or literary technique or rhetorical device) develops this central idea. Use strong and thorough evidence from the text to support your analysis. Do not simply summarize the text. You may use the margins to take notes as you read and scrap paper to plan your response. Write your response in the spaces provided on pages 7 through 9 of your essay booklet.

Guidelines :

Be sure to:

• Identify a central idea in the text

• Analyze how the author’s use of one writing strategy (literary element or literary technique or rhetorical device) develops this central idea. Examples include: characterization, conflict, denotation/connotation, metaphor, simile, irony, language use, point-of-view, setting, structure, symbolism, theme, tone, etc.

• Use strong and thorough evidence from the text to support your analysis

• Organize your ideas in a cohesive and coherent manner

• Maintain a formal style of writing

• Follow the conventions of standard written English

Regents text analysis response outline and sample  As given out in class, an outline and a sample for the Regents text analysis response

Regents Text Analysis Rubric

Helpful Websites for studying :

Literary Elements  — definitions and explanations

Literary Elements Quizlet

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How to Study for the English Regents

Can I Retake Parts of My GED?

If you're a student living in the state of New York, at some point in your school career you will be required to take the Regents exams. These standardized tests can be stressful, but they're necessary in order to graduate from high school. One test that may be easy for some and not so easy for others is the English Regents exam. If you're a student who wants to succeed in all of your classes and exams but you find yourself having a hard time with English, then you'll need to do some extra studying. Luckily, with a few English Regents tips at your disposal, you should have no problem passing the test.

What Is the English Regents Exam?

The English Language Arts Regents Exam has been given to students in New York for decades, however, the nature of the test recently changed as of the 2013 - 2014 school year. Now, the new English Regents Exam is based on the Common Core State Standards, which are relatively new. Students must, therefore, be enrolled in a Common Core English course, so they can be prepared to take the exam. The exam is given for the first time (and hopefully, the only time) to students in 11th grade, and students must pass the exam in order to receive a Regents Diploma. Students who pass five Regents exams with a score of 65 and above will receive the basic Regents Diploma, while students who score a 65 or above on all nine Regents exam will graduate with the Advanced Regents Diploma.

Why Do You Have to Take the English Regents?

There are many reasons why students are required to take the English Regents exam. The first thing to understand is that every state in the United States has their own requirements for graduation and usually they consist of obtaining a certain amount of credits in high school and passing a certain number of exams.

Those who don't pass the English Regents can't obtain the Regents Diploma, nor can they graduate from high school (though there are some exceptions). But doing well on the Regents exam has its own benefits for the student. After all, it means you have met all of the Common Core State Standards for English, and that you will be prepared to take the appropriate level courses when you enter college in a little over a year.

Because the Common Core Standards have changed the nature of the test and because the test is a reflection of your performance, achievement and acquisition of English Language Arts since the start of high school, the old English Regents exam was slowly phased out so that students who grew up with the old curriculum were still able to pass the test, while those who grew up with the Common Core Curriculum could also pass.

Since 2016, the new test has been fully implemented, and it can now provide educators with an overview of whether or not students are meeting the standards. If teachers are following the Common Core standards in their classrooms, then there's no reason students shouldn't succeed. However, if many students fail the English Regents, it's clear that teachers need to be held accountable in some way and that the curriculum needs to be adjusted in order to give more support to the schools and students who need it most.

Understanding the Format of the Exam

At one time, the English Regents exam was six-hours long and included components that have either been removed or altered on the new test. The new test is a three-hour exam session and consists of three parts:

• Part I - Reading Comprehension
• Part II - Writing from Sources: Argument
• Part III - Text Analysis with Response

The exam has a mix of writing sections and multiple choice questions. It's given in January, June and August of every year, but most students will take the test for the first time in June of their junior year. The exam will be graded in four different criteria areas: Content and Analysis, Command of Evidence, Coherence, Organization and Style, and finally, Control of Conventions.

How to Pass the English Regents

In order to pass the English Regents exam, you must score a 65 or higher. It's important for you to remember, then, that if you want to graduate with a Regents Diploma, you must obtain this score on at least five of your Regents examinations or else you cannot graduate high school.

Because the English Regents exam is divided into three parts, each part requires a raw score that is weighted, so students have an opportunity to obtain a higher maximum score for each section. For example, the first part has a maximum of 24 raw score credits, with each multiple choice question being worth one point. Part one is weighted only by a number one weighting factor, so students can only obtain a maximum weighted score of 24 for this section.

For part two, students are given an essay which is graded on a six-point rubric which is weighted times four. Here, students can obtain a maximum of a six-point raw score and a 24-point weighted score. Part three is similar, with the text analysis being given a maximum of a four-point raw score which is weighted times six. This equals to 56 total points, which would equal 100 points on the exam. Students can take a look at the raw weighted score conversion chart in order to see what their score equals. According to the chart, the lowest possible raw weighted score a student can achieve in order to pass is a 29, which comes out to a 65.

Basic English Regents Tips

Taking any exam can be a daunting experience, especially when it can influence your ability to graduate with a certain diploma. Therefore, if you want to know how to pass the English Regents, there are a few things you can do, starting with your attitude. Text anxiety is a big reason why people may not do as well as they hope to do on a test, so try to maintain a positive attitude and believe in yourself as much as possible.

Beyond that, your English teachers will be doing their best to prepare you for this exam. But you also have a responsibility as a student to advocate for your own learning. Therefore, if there's material being taught in the class that you don't quite understand, you should reach out to your teacher for help. Also, many of the tests and exams you take in class should be somewhat similar to what you're going to face on the Regents, so if you're not doing well on those, try to figure out which sections you're having the hardest times with and why. This will give you something you can continue to work on, so you'll be prepared once it's time to take the English Regents.

Utilize All Tools and Resources

Today, there are many books and websites out there that students can utilize in order to prepare for the Regents exam. For one, students can look at study materials online or even go to YouTube to watch some channels with English Regents tips. You can get English Regents essay examples online. Visit the bookstore and buy a Barron's Regents guidebook that you can study for 30 minutes or so a night. Go to extra help sessions at school, and if you feel that you need it, inquire about signing up for a preparation course that can help you receive additional instruction. You could also formulate a study group after school in which you can get together with your peers for study sessions.

Take Practice Exams

One of the best ways to pass the English Regents is by taking practice exams. The Barron's book has practice questions inside, but you can also visit the NYS Regents website for past tests. Try to take the test in the allotted time frames that you will be given on the actual exam day, and refer to the score key afterward to see how well you did. Most students take a number of these practice tests to understand more about what they need to spend time on. Teachers may also give some practice exams or questions in the weeks leading up to the test date in June. If you're really struggling with the essay portion of the test, then you should also look at English Regents essay examples to get an idea of how you can outline your essay.

ELL Students and Special Education Students

The English Regents exam can be difficult for even the average student. But for students who struggle with the English language or students with learning disabilities, the test can prove to be extremely difficult. Fortunately, there are some accommodations in place to help these students. Parents and students should reach out to guidance counselors to see what options are available for the student and what accommodations can be made, for example, having more time given to complete the exam.

What Happens if You Don't Pass?

Because the English Regents exam must be passed in order to obtain the Regents Diploma, students need to try their best to score a 65. If for some reason you don't pass the first time you take the test in June, you can take the test when it's offered again in August and again in January.

If you don't pass the English Regents exam after having taken it three times, then you will have to appeal to graduate. Different schools may have some type of system in place to help struggling students be able to graduate despite not passing the test, but ultimately, your goal should be to study hard, so you can at least attain a score a 65. If not, there may be a possibility you have to stay back or continue retaking the exam until you pass with the required score. Another good English Regents tip is to make sure you answer all the questions as best as possible. If you leave a question blank or don't write what you can, there's no room for the test grader to try and find additional points.

Things to Remember

Before taking the English Regents, make sure you're taking care of yourself. It wouldn't be good to feel sick on the day of the test. Try to get enough sleep in the days leading up to the exam and eat a good breakfast before going in to take the test. Wear comfortable clothes, but also clothing that helps you feel alert and ready to work.

Remember that like any other standardized test given in the United States, there are strict rules to ensure all test-takers are following protocols and that there's no risk of cheating. Students will be required to fill out scantrons and write with #2 pencils. Bring as many pencils with you as possible, in case one breaks during the test. If possible, leave electronics at home, however, most schools will have a place for you to drop your phone during the exam. Make sure to shut off your electronics because those who have a phone go off during the test can be penalized.

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• NYSED Regents: Regents Examinations in Language Arts
• Noodle.com: Everything You Need to Know About the NYS Regents Exams
• Study.com: How to Prep for the NYS ELA Regents Exam
• Noodle.com: 4 Tips for Acing the New York State Regents Exams
• New York State Education Department Office of Assessment Policy, Development and Administration
• The College Board: Four Tips To Improve Your Writing Skills
• The College Board: Boost Your Skills
• Past Comprehensive English Regents examinations (as well as scoring guides) are available free on the New York State Education Department website on the Office of Assessment Policy, Development and Administration page.
• Stay within actual test time parameters when you take a practice test in order to see where you may need to work on time management.
• Mark important points in the literary selections of the test by underlining or circling them.

Hana LaRock is a freelance content writer from New York, currently living in Mexico. Before becoming a writer, Hana worked as a teacher for several years in the U.S. and around the world. She has her teaching certification in Elementary Education and Special Education, as well as a TESOL certification. Please visit her website, www.hanalarockwriting.com, to learn more.

English Regents: Everything You Need to Know

The Regents Exams are statewide standardized tests in core high school subjects. The English Language Arts (ELA) exam tests students on the key skills of reading comprehension, textual analysis, and argument-based writing in order to assess their readiness for college and a professional career. The exam is required of all students enrolled in high schools in the state of New York.

What is the English Language Arts Regents Exam?

The Regents Exams are statewide standardized tests in core high school subjects. The English Language Arts (ELA) Exam tests students on the key skills of reading comprehension, textual analysis, and argument-based writing in order to assess their readiness for college and a professional career. The exam is required of all students enrolled in high schools in the state of New York .

When Is the ELA Regents Exam in 2024?

The ELA exam will be offered during three periods in 2024:

1. January 23

3. August 19

How Long Is the English Regents?

The ELA exam is three hours long. The test is broken down into three sections of varying lengths.

English Language Art Regents Exam Structure

The ELA exam is broken down into three sections:

1. Reading Comprehension (suggested time: 60 mins)

Students will be presented with three different texts: one literature text, one poem, and one informational text. After reading the texts, students will be asked to answer 24 multiple-choice questions.

2. Writing from Source: Argument (suggested time: 90 mins)

Students will be presented with four informational texts. After reading the texts, students will be asked to write an evidence-based argument using the four texts as their sources.

3. Text Analysis: Exposition (suggested time: 30 mins)

Students will be presented with one text: either a literature text or an informational text. After reading the text, students will be asked to write a two- to three-paragraph expository essay that identifies and explains the central idea of the text, and identifies one of the key writing strategies that the author of the text uses to convey that idea.

English Regents Scores

Is the ela regents hard.

Many high school students find the ELA exam difficult. The texts that students are asked to read and analyze on the test can be long and filled with complicated grammar, syntax, and vocabulary. The ideas in the texts that students are asked to analyze are often conceptually challenging, too. The language on the test may also pose particular challenges to English-language learners.

However, we have found that with the help of a trained tutor, and with committed practice, even struggling students are able to achieve a passing score!

How Is the English Regents Graded?

The exam will be graded according to four different areas of criteria: Content and Analysis; Command of Evidence; Coherence, Organization, and Style; and Control of Conventions. An IVY tutor can help you to master each of the skills specific to these area of focus.

Each of the exam’s three parts is given a raw score that is weighted, giving students the chance to obtain a higher maximum score for each section.

How to Pass the English Regents?

A passing score on the ELA exam is 65 or above. Students may take the exam up to three times in order to obtain a passing score; if a student does not pass after three attempts, they will have to submit an official appeal to graduate from their high school.

How to Get a Good Score on the English Regents?

We encourage our students to use the following strategies to get the best score possible on test day:

• For the reading comprehension sections, read the questions first—then read the passage with the questions in mind. As you read, underline key information.
• For multiple-choice questions, cross out the answers that you know to be incorrect in order to focus on the choices remaining to you. This is known as “process of elimination.”
• For the writing section, make an outline of your essay before writing. The outline should include the main topic of your essay, the main ideas of each of your five paragraphs, and the supporting evidence that you will use in each paragraph.

The best way to get a good score on the ELA Regents exam is to study with the help of an expert in test preparation. At IVY, our tutors can help students to develop the skills of quick problem-solving, time management, and general test preparation necessary for success on exams like the ELA Regents.

English Regents Exam Day Rules

• Students will be prohibited from bringing cell phones and certain other electronic devices into the test room. Leave your cell phone at home if you can; otherwise, the test proctor will collect it and hold it for you. (Remember to shut your phone off when it is collected!)
• During the test itself, you will be required to use a #2 pencil and fill out a scantron. Bring as many pencils with you as possible!
• You can have water—but only clear water bottles are allowed! Otherwise no food will be allowed in the testing room.
• Every student will be required to sign a pledge confirming that they have not receive outside help during the taking of the exam itself.

How to Study for English Regents? 5 Tips from Ivy Tutors

• Take practice exams! The New York State Regents website has past tests available that you can use for practice. Try to simulate the conditions of the test day when you practice: set a timer, avoid all distractions, and score yourself afterward using the official grading rubric.
• Form a study group! Everybody in your high school will be required to take the ELA Regents. Studying together is a great way to learn from each other—and also to support each other!
• Study every day! Besides taking full-length practice tests, we recommend studying for the ELA exam every day for at least thirty minutes—beginning at least two months before the exam.
• Take care of yourself! Make sure to get a good night’s sleep before the exam and to eat a good breakfast the morning of the exam; wear comfy clothes on test day, too. After closely working with an Ivy tutor to prepare yourself for the ELA exam, all you will need to do on test day is show up (on time!) and use your skills.
• Work with a tutor ! Great preparation for the ELA exam means learning strategies to quickly solve problems and identify correct choices, as well as building the essential skill of time management. Our Regents tutors are experts in creating personalized programs of study and empowering students to cultivate the self-confidence necessary for success.

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