The Steps for MCAS
What is the first step when approaching an MCAS test?
Read the directions
How many paragraphs should a narrative essay contain?
As many as needed to fully answer the prompt.
The purpose of an expository essay is to......
explain the answer to the prompt with evidence and explanations
explain or expose......
evidence
explanation = expository
The point of an argument essay is to.....
(without using the word argue)
What are the 3 modes (types) of essays that may be on your MCAS exam tomorrow?
Narrative
Expository
Argument
If there is an essay prompt for your passage(s), what should you specifically annotate/highlight for?
The verbs. This is the task of the prompt. You are commanded to do this in your essay.
When writing a narrative essay what would be a good decision to start the essay?
Describe the setting (time & place).
What is the set up for an expository essay in terms of the outline?
5 paragraphs:
intro
body (x3)
conclusion
A good way to write the introduction is to restate what?
Restate the prompt. You can use the words from the prompt to introduce the reader to your thesis sentence.
What techniques do author's use in order to write a fictional text or to add more interesting details to a text?
Comparisons, metaphors, alliteration, contast, conflict, irony, emphasis, repetition...
imagery, figurative language
How many times should a student read the passage(s)?
As many times as necessary to comprehend the text(s).
What would be a good idea to add to your character in your narrative to help the reader understand them better? The reader will get insight into who the character really is.
Thoughts and feelings.
How many pieces of evidence do you need for an expository essay?
As many as you need to support your thesis statement.
In your argument, you are trying to persuade using the rhetorical triangle. What are the 3 points in the triangle and what do they do?
ethos (gaining trust), logos (logic, facts, statistics), pathos (emotion).
What is tension?
The stress the reader feels (or is supposed to feel) when reading a text
When taking muliple choice quesitons, what is the strategy called in order to make sure you are answering the correct answer?
The art of deduction:
Elimate ALL of the wrong answers by going back into the text and MAKING SURE.
Another detail to add to a narrative that will strengthen your essay. This is a conversation with 2 or more characters that reveals something to the reader.
Dialogue
What is a thesis statement and where should it be?
A thesis statement is the main point of your essay which answers the prompt in 1-2 sentences.
It should be the last sentence in your introduction paragraph.
What should an argument have in order to acknowledge the other side of the argument?
Counterclaim.
How long should you take on MCAS testing day to finish the test?
TAKE YOUR TIME!!!!!!!
You have the entire school day.
Ready to write:
What is the amount of paragraphs one should write on an essay?
minimum of 5: Introduction, body, conclusion
How do you format dialogue in a narrative essay?
Each time a new character has dialogue, there needs to be a new paragraph.
An easy way to write a thesis sentence is to.....
How do you insert evidence in the form of a direct quotation into your essay?
Embed the evidence...
Quotations from your sources should fit smoothly into your own sentences.
You can do this by using a transitional phrase.
Give an example of a transitional phrase before placing a direct quote.
Research shows/ indicates….
One of the most significant pieces of evidence that supports...
According to the text (name the text),...
(Author’s name) writes...