Regents English Argumentative Writing 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: On the Regents ELA argument task, students must use evidence from at least how many provided texts?
- One text only
- Two of the three provided texts (Correct answer)
- All three provided texts
- No texts; only personal experience
Correct answer: Two of the three provided texts
The Regents argument task requires students to draw evidence from at least two of the provided source texts.
Question 2: Which organizational structure is most common in a Regents argument essay?
- Stream of consciousness with no clear structure
- Introduction with thesis, body paragraphs, then conclusion (Correct answer)
- Conclusion first, then evidence, then introduction
- Only a single paragraph with all ideas combined
Correct answer: Introduction with thesis, body paragraphs, then conclusion
The standard essay structure of introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion is expected and rewarded on the Regents exam.
Question 3: The phrase 'According to Text 2...' in a Regents essay serves to:
- Confuse the reader about the source of the information
- Properly attribute the evidence and show it came from a specific source (Correct answer)
- Replace the need for any analysis
- Indicate that the student disagrees with the source
Correct answer: Properly attribute the evidence and show it came from a specific source
Attribution phrases identify the source of evidence, demonstrating proper academic citation practice on the exam.
Question 4: Which is the strongest thesis for a Regents argument essay about school start times?
- School start times affect students.
- There are many opinions about school start times.
- Shifting high school start times to 8:30 AM or later would improve student health, academic performance, and attendance. (Correct answer)
- Some people think school should start later but others disagree.
Correct answer: Shifting high school start times to 8:30 AM or later would improve student health, academic performance, and attendance.
A strong thesis makes a specific, arguable claim with clear reasoning, identifying the what and why of the argument.
Question 5: Which revision strengthens the following weak claim: 'Technology in schools is good.'?
- Technology is a thing in schools.
- When used with structured guidance, technology in classrooms raises student engagement and improves learning outcomes. (Correct answer)
- Technology may or may not be good in schools.
- Some people think technology is good in schools.
Correct answer: When used with structured guidance, technology in classrooms raises student engagement and improves learning outcomes.
Adding specificity about conditions and outcomes turns a vague claim into a strong, arguable thesis.
Question 6: When analyzing evidence in an argument essay, the writer should ask:
- How many words is the quote?
- How does this evidence support my specific claim? (Correct answer)
- Is this the longest quote I could find?
- Did I use a comma before the quote?
Correct answer: How does this evidence support my specific claim?
Analysis requires the writer to explain the connection between the evidence and their claim, not just present the quote.
Regents English Argumentative Writing 3
On the Regents ELA argument task, students must use evidence from at least how many provided texts?