NEA response and administration common mistakes

Common mistakes

• Over-reliance on plot summary

  Students often summarize the plot instead of analyzing themes and character motivations.

  Fix itFocus on interpreting the text and providing analysis supported by evidence rather than recounting the story.

• Plot Summary Over Analysis

  Students often summarize the plot instead of analyzing the text.

  Fix itFocus on specific passages and discuss their significance in relation to themes and character development.

• Over-reliance on plot summary

  Students often summarize the plot instead of analyzing themes and literary techniques.

  Fix itFocus on analysis by discussing how specific elements contribute to the overall meaning of the text.

• Over-reliance on plot summary

  Students often summarize the plot instead of analyzing themes or character motivations.

  Fix itFocus on interpreting the text's deeper meanings and how literary devices contribute to those meanings.

• Confusing narrator with character

  Students often conflate the narrator's perspective with that of a character.

  Fix itClarify that the narrator is a distinct voice that may or may not align with any character's views.

• Over-reliance on plot summary

  Students often summarize the plot instead of analyzing the text.

  Fix itFocus on specific textual evidence to support your analysis and interpretations.

• Over-reliance on plot summary

  Students often summarize the plot instead of analyzing themes and techniques.

  Fix itFocus on analysis of literary devices and their effects on meaning rather than retelling the story.

• Plot summary instead of analysis

  Students often retell the plot instead of analyzing themes, characters, or literary techniques.

  Fix itFocus on specific examples from the text to support your analysis and connect them to broader themes.

• Overlooking Context

  Failing to connect the text to its historical or cultural context.

  Fix itAlways consider how the context influences themes and character motivations.

• Over-reliance on plot summary

  Students often summarize the plot instead of analyzing themes and character motivations.

  Fix itFocus on critical analysis and interpretation rather than retelling the story.