Billy Budd
by Herman Melville
Study Guide written by Connie Rattan

Chapter summaries and analyses of major characters, themes, symbols, and narrative technique are addressed in this study guide. In addition to fill-in-the-blank and matching questions, over 150 multiple choice questions written in literary criticism test format are specifically designed to prepare for the UIL Literary Criticism tests.

Poetry
Selections by Marianne Moore from The Mentor Book of Major American Poets
Edited by Oscar Williams
Study Guide written by Brandon Barnes

This study guide provides a thorough explication of poetic form and technique used in each of the poems. The explication includes identification of poem types, metrical patterns, rhyme patterns and rhyme types, and figures of speech. Analysis of theme and meaning is also provided. Questions and answers on each poem conclude the study.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream
by William Shakespeare

This set of 200 study questions is designed to serve as a review of key elements in the play. Multiple choice questions are formulated similar to UIL style test questions.

A Guide to Poetry Analysis
by Connie Rattan

This study guide is designed to provide both instruction and practice in literary analysis. A thorough examination of all styles of poetic technique including identification of types of poetry, rhythmic patterns, versification, figures of speech, types of rhyme and rhyme patterns will give the student confidence in understanding poems. All terms are taken from A Handbook to Literature by William Harmon, which helps prepare the students for the first set of questions on the literary criticism test as well as the analysis portion of the test.

SUBSCRIPTION TESTS and PROMPTS

LITERARY CRITICISM
The Literary Criticism tests are written in the UIL test format. Questions cover literary vocabulary from A Handbook to Literature, Herman Melville’s Billy Budd, poetry by Marianne Moore from The Mentor Book of Major American Poets, and William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream Delivery is scheduled for the first week of each month--October through March.

JOURNALISM
Journalism prompts provide timely and thought provoking information in UIL format. These prompts include sample articles for Editorial, Feature, News and Headline contests. Subscribing to these materials enables your school to enter The Writers’ Classic Journalism Contest for both fall and spring semesters. (You may subscribe to prompts for your own practice without entering the contest.) Evaluations for the contest are $10.00 per paper. Delivery dates are for the first week of November and January. (Entry forms for the Writers’ Classic are included in the November and January mail-outs.)

READY WRITING
The Ready Writing prompts are carefully chosen to provide thought provoking and timely quotes that are formulated according to UIL format. Subscribing to these prompts enables your school to enter The Writers’ Classic Ready Writing contest. Evaluations are $10.00 per paper. Delivery dates are the first week of each month--October through March. (Entry forms for the Writers’ Classic are mailed in the November and January mail-outs.)

CURRENT ISSUES & EVENTS TESTS
The Current Issues and Events questions are timely state, national, and international topics.  They are researched for detail, depth, and intellectual value.  The questions are designed to challenge students, while agreeing with UIL style and format.  Sample essays are included. Delivery for this subscription is the first week of each month--October through March.

EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEAKING TOPICS
These topics are current, timely, domestic, and foreign. They are studied for depth and value. In addition, they are designed to provoke thought and motivate speakers in both informative and persuasive categories, while adhering to the traditional UIL style and format. Delivery is scheduled for the first week of each month--October through March.

We will send all the subscriptions via electronic mail to the coaches’ e-mail addresses.  Those who order packets will receive October subscriptions hard copies with the packet in October. After the packet has been sent, all other monthly subscriptions will be sent via e-mail.    It is important to print your e-mail address carefully on the order form.   If you do not receive your monthly materials during the first week of each month, please contact me immediately.  I have no way of knowing if you receive your e-mail materials unless you let me know.  Also, any time during the year that you are missing a monthly subscriptions, e-mail me immediately, and I will attach materials to the reply.  I taught for many years, and I want these materials to be convenient for you.

See our order form for more information.

If you do not receive our mail out that thoroughly explains all materials, e-mail Connie Rattan a connieratt@aol.com.