Essays
What is a claim? How many should you have in a 4 paragraph essay?
Claim: The main argument/statement you will prove based on a prompt
2 claims for a 4 paragraph essay
What is narrative writing?
Story-telling that follows a plot diagram, uses dialogue, sensory language etc.
What is fiction?
Stories/poems that are not real
What is nonfiction?
Writing that is based on facts, is informational
How do you begin a new paragraph?
By skipping a line and indenting
What should be included in a full body paragraph?
CLAIM, Ev1,R1, Ev2,R2, Ev3,R3
What are the three points of view, and how do you know which one a story is written in?
First, Second, Third
By their pronouns: I-Me, You-Your, He-She-They
What are context clues?
Context clues are hints found within a sentence, paragraph, or passage that a reader can use to understand the meanings of new or unfamiliar words.
Name three nonfiction text features
title, heading, image caption, glossary, map etc.
What is process of elimination?
Eliminating answers that seem wrong from a multiple choice question
What should a conclusion include- how many sentences and what are they each called?
2 sentences- restatement of the thesis statement, concluding sentence
What is the formatting rule for dialogue between 2+ characters in a narrative?
Skip a line and indent, quote
Name two fictional texts we have read in preparation for the MCAS
Name an example of a nonfiction text.
biography, recipe, textbook, news article...
What is annotating?
Taking notes, highlighting on a text for a purpose
What should an introduction include- how many sentences and what are they each called?
3 sentences: the hook, connecting sentence, thesis statement
Name three narrative elements
plot, sensory language, figurative language, tone/mood, dialogue etc.
How do you answer "most likely" multiple choice questions on the MCAS?
Process of Elimination
What is an image caption?
a few lines of text used to explain on photographs
What is reasoning?
An explanation of HOW/WHY a quote ties back to your claim.
What is a thesis statement and where is it included in an essay?
Last sentence of your introductory paragraph. It combines your two claims and includes the titles of the texts
How do you know a prompt is asking for a narrative and not an essay?
The prompt will ask for a continuation of a story or for you to write in another character's perspective.
Begin TWO CLAIMS without having read the texts:
Based on both “Waiting for Mr. Lincoln” and Life and Times of Frederick Douglass, explain whether Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln were effective leaders.
"Waiting for Mr. Lincoln" shows Abraham Lincoln was an effective leader by...
"Life and Times of Frederick Douglass" shows Frederick Douglass was an effective leader by...
What do you do if you don't know the meaning of a word in a text (on the MCAS)?
Use context clues to try to determine the meaning
What is the difference between evidence and dialogue quoting?
Evidence is for essays. Dialogue is for stories. Evidence: "_____________" (para. 5).
Dialogue: "_____________," mom said.