The two-hour, 150-200 pt. closed-book midterm exam will take place in class on the date indicated on the course Calendar of Assignments.  It will cover chronology (dates), authors/composers/directors (and their nationalities), genres/media, formal characteristics and similar descriptive information, as well as key motifs, objects, episodes and characters in required primary readings and films assigned through week 7 (whether or not fully discussed in class), as well as your PAPER PROSPECTUS.  Expect to use the full two hours.  Factual questions will be drawn from REQUIRED secondary or background readings (whether online, on e-reserve, in assigned sections of the Handbook, or in assigned introductions to texts -- any additional recommended readings listed on the course calendar or on e-reserve will NOT be covered on the midterm exam). You will also be asked to provide a "preview" of your final research paper: subject, readings, the thesis you will argue, and to some critics (authors and titles) whose work you have found helpful thus far AND WHICH YOU HAVE LISTED ON YOUR PAPER PROSPECTUS, which I will use to grade this section of your exam.

Objective Sections:  multiple choice, matching, true-false and fill-in-the-blank questions on factual background as presented in lecture, background readings (online, e.g. translatio or the introductory webpages for each reading/film; in required supplementary readings / critical essays; and in assigned pages in the Arthurian Handbook).  Know titles, authors/composers, genres, date of composition and formal description of ALL PRIMARY WORKS (readings include Dante, selections chosen by classmates for their presentations and placed on e-reserve, and the poems linked to the class schedule, e.g. "The Lady of Shalott," "The Defence of Guenevere," the supplemental Grail and Merlin/Vivien/Nimue poems); also be aware of formal elements in the poems (e.g. which use rhyme vs. blank verse).  Know titles, composers (of original musical)  and directors and dates for all films screened; authors, titles and focus / basic argument (but not dates) of all required SECONDARY readings; artists and topics of major pieces of artwork reproduced in Victorian artwork section of your handbook.  Know which authors, directors and composers were British and which American.  Know date of composition for the Broadway musical Camelot (as well as date of the filmed version).  Know significance of Geoffrey of Monmouth, Wace, Chrétien de Troyes, the Vulgate Cycle and Malory to the historical development of Arthurian legend (see translatio online reading and/or lecture notes from first week of quarter), and know titles and approximate dates (as given on translatio online reading) for these works.  NO CHOICE; you must ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS.

IDs (of Characters, Items, Key Lines and/or Plot Elements/Episodes/Motifs):  several sections of the exam will list characters, objects, events/plot elements and or key lines (but not extended passages) from one or more of the primary readings/films.  Depending on the section, you may be asked to identify ALL listed items OR to choose a certain number of them; to list ALL readings / films in which they appear; and/or to explain their role and significance (and/or key differences between their treatment) in different works. There will be choice in SOME (but not ALL) of these sections.  Please note that  other than key lines (which should be easily identifiable if you have completed all readings/screenings and taken good notes in class discussions) lines, there will be NO PASSAGE IDS on this exam.

The Paper Preview section will resemble your Paper Prospectus (which you should have completed and submitted prior to the midterm exam).  It will ask you not only for the topic of your final paper (what aspect you will focus on in what primary texts/films), but also ask what interpretation you will argue (i.e. a tentative thesis) based on your observations about that aspect of those works.  You will also be expected to list the authors and titles of some secondary works (criticism) which you have found helpful, anticipate using in your final paper, and HAVE LISTED ON YOUR PAPER PROSPECTUS WORKING BIBLIOGRAPHY (which I will use to grade this section of the exam).

A significant number of points will be for the Essay (likely to be worth 30%-40% of exam).  There will be a choice of topics.  You may NOT write on a work/author/film which you have presented in class OR which  will be a focus of your final paper. Likewise, you may NOT write on the same figure/motif/episode that you presented on in class or which will be a focus of your final paper.  Automatic and substantial penalty if you do!  Make an outline before you begin to write, and try to reserve some time to PROOFREAD!  Prompts will ask you to discuss connections, similarities and (significant) differences between at least two readings/films/authors.  Prompts will focus on issues which should be familiar to you if you have attended class regularly -- no nasty surprises.  Exam prompts are designed not to trip you up but (I hope) to allow you to shine; there will be enough choices that you should be able to find a topic on which you can write a substantive essay.  Please note, however, that you may NOT write on the an author/work/topic which is the focus of your class presentation or of your term paper. (There will be a substantial penalty if you do!) PLEASE BRING A LARGE-FORMAT EXAM BOOK FOR THE ESSAY SECTION.

TO PREPARE FOR THE EXAM: make a note card for each work; note genre or medium, author/composer/director, his or her nationality, and dates of works (for the Idylls, know the overall timespan of composition AND which specific Idylls were included in the original and revised versions, their dates, and changes in titles if applicable; for Camelot, know the dates of both the original Broadway musical and the film).  List key plot elements/motifs (e.g. begetting of Arthur, marriage of Arthur, beguiling of Merlin, Grail quest, etc.) covered in the various works, and note any unusual character names (beyond e.g. Arthur, Lancelot, Guinevere and Merlin) which you might otherwise forget.  Be sure to include some notes concerning what episodes and/or significant objects/motifs and/or key lines are included in each case. Make separate notecards for each SPECIFIC reading (e.g. the different assigned Idylls, each of which counts in some sections as a separate work).  Also review the required background readings and make sure you are clear on the overall premise of each. Carefully review all primary readings (and catch up on any you may have missed!), including review of class discussion notes in each case.  As you review, consider differences between treatment of characters / episodes / motifs which play significant roles in more than one work.  Review your Paper Prospectus and be sure you know the titles and authors of some useful works of criticism which you listed on your Working Bibliography.

TIP 1) Get enough sleep the night before, and don't skip breakfast!

TIP 2) The best way to prepare is to study with friends!!

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