Quick Hints/Review for STAAR

Quick Hints/Review for STAAR

Quick Hints/Review for STAAR!

OER’s

  1. Use the ACE IT! Method

A = Answer the prompt—where? In the first sentence.

C = Cite (text or quotes) from the story. How many? TWO – could be partial quotes and introduce

them.

E= Explain HOW the quotes support your Answer!

IT =InsighT—Pick a “key” word from the prompt and show how it connect globally outside of the

Story

  1. Do not Internally Document any of the quoted material—it wastes line space
  2. Try to leave 1-2 minutes to PROOFREAD!

LITERARY/NARRATIVE WRITING

  1. Doing what? Writing a STORY!!!!!

There will be a PICTURE—Are you going to write about the picture? NO, NO, NO!!! It is only for inspiration!

READ the Prompt TWICE—to make sure you KNOW exactly what it is telling you to write a STORY about!

  1. Must have what? Plot—characters, setting, conflict, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution, and INTEREST!
  2. How many paragraphs?—Three-four
  3. What will you do with the paragraphs? ---INDENT each one!
  4. 1st Paragraph—How many sentences?—1-2 sentences
  5. First sentence will be what?---The “hook”.
  6. Second sentence will contain what?—Characters, setting probably.
  7. Body Paragraph(s) How many? 1-2—develop the STORY—plot structure!
  8. Using what?—Literary devices: similes, metaphors, personification, etc., imagery, sensory details, etc.
  9. Concluding Paragraph—How many sentences?—1-2 sentences.
  10. Include what?—wrap up—maybe a lesson learned by the character
  11. Do NOT skip lines between paragraphs. AND, NO title!
  12. Try to: keep the story realistic and not far-fetched, extreme, unbelievable. Don’t get TOO creative.
  13. Pre-Write—quickly—jot down the setting, character(s), conflict, how resolved (words, phrases)
  14. Be sure to leave about 3 minutes to PROOFREAD!

EXPOSITORY WRITING

  1. Doing what? Writing to EXPLAIN or INFORM about something?

There will be a “box” with something written in it like a quote and maybe a famous person’s name. Are you going to write about what that famous person has said in the box? NO, NO, NO!!! This is only for you to Read.

Then there will be a short explanation of what was in the box. This is for you to THINK about.

NOW, there will be the PROMPT!---This is your “charge”—what YOU are to DO!!! “WRITE and essay explaining…”

  1. Even though the prompt may sound persuasive in tone, you are ONLY going to Explain or Inform about the topic!
  2. How many paragraphs?—Three-four
  3. What will you do with the paragraphs?—INDENT each one!
  4. 1st Paragraph—How many sentences? 1-2 sentences
  5. First sentence will be what?—A “hook: something of interest to make the grader want to read on.”
  6. Second sentence will contain what?—THESIS—what the explanation/information will be about—answering the prompt
  7. Body Paragraph(s)—How many? 1-2
  8. Give TWO points explaining the prompt and SUPPORT each prompt with: examples, explicit details, anecdotes, vivid verbs, etc. Use smooth transitions—NO 1st, next, finally.

See below for possible transitions to use.

  1. Concluding Paragraph—How many sentences? 1-2 sentences.
  2. Include what? Summarize information, tie it up and remind grader of your thesis.
  3. Do NOT skip any lines between paragraphs. AND, NO title!
  4. REMEMBER: this is NOT going to be a persuasive writing piece NO MATTER what the prompt sounds/looks like!!!!!!! You are ONLY going to inform/explain about the topic!
  5. PRE-WRITE—quickly—your idea, two points you’re going to make, the supports you have. (short words, phrases)
  6. Be sure to leave about 3 minutes to PROOFREAD!

Multiple Choice: always two that are wrong—then make choice for best of the remaining two!

Possible Transitions:

Body Paragraphs (points): equally important, furthermore, moreover, what’s more, then, and then, again

For giving examples: to demonstrate, to illustrate, for example

For concluding paragraph: in brief, hence,

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