NJSLA Tools
On the NJSLA, you can go from question to question using the dropdown menu. When there is an orange dot next to a question, what does that mean?
An orange dot means you have not yet answered the question and still need to answer it.
True or false? One paragraph is enough for an essay on the NJSLA.
FALSE. One paragraph is not enough. You should write at least two.
-characters' names
-titles
-the word "I"
-beginnings of sentences
Check your work closely for mechanics. What does mechanics mean?
Spelling, punctuation, capitalization
(Accept one or more of these answers)
True or false? If you have extra time, check your work again by rereading the texts and checking your answers to multiple choice questions.
True!
Why might someone need to use the highlighting tool on the NJSLA?
-Example: To highlight important information, such as text evidence
True or false? All paragraphs have to be the exact same length.
False. Some paragraphs might be shorter, such as the introduction or conclusion.
You use this punctuation mark when you are quoting from the text and when you are trying to show that a character is speaking.
Quotation marks
Make sure you have written multiple paragraphs. How will the reader be able to tell that you have different paragraphs?
-You indented by either hitting the spacebar to create your own tab OR you hit enter enter.
What does the word "theme" mean?
Theme is the message or lesson the author is trying to teach you. You determine the theme by looking at the whole story - through the characters' words and actions and interactions with each other.
-You should bookmark a question when you need to come back to it.
The tab button does not work on the NJSLA. How can you show a new paragraph?
1. Hit the space bar before the start of a new paragraph (five times)
2. Hit enter enter to leave one space between paragraphs.
What tool should you use on the NJSLA to check your spelling?
spell check
Make sure you have answered all parts of a question. There will be questions with two or more parts.
Thinking back to our work in class, Part B multiple choice questions typically ask you to do WHAT?
-Part B questions typically ask you to prove your answer to Part A.
You are writing an essay that compares and contrasts the theme of acceptance in The Day You Begin and "Taco Head".
Give one example of what type of information should be in your very first paragraph.
-the definition of acceptance
-the titles
Why might someone want to use the strikethrough (the "X") feature on multiple choice questions?
-To cross out answers that you know are incorrect
When you have two characters talking to each other, when should you enter and indent?
When a new person is talking
True or false? You should still check over your work even if you already used the spell check tool.
True. Spell check does not catch everything. You might have missing words, extra words, incorrect verb tenses, etc.
You need to make sure you have supported your thinking with text evidence and explained why it's important.
What is "text evidence" and where does it come from? Be specific.
-Text evidence is information directly from the text (the article or the story) that proves your thinking.
You are writing an essay that compares and contrasts the theme of acceptance in The Day You Begin and "Taco Head".
If you have written multiple paragraphs, but notice you have extra time, what else should you ADD to your essay? Be specific with what information you can add.
-More text evidence
-More similarities and differences if it is compare and contrast
-Add more information to the introduction
-Add more information to the conclusion