STAAR Prep
What MUST you do for each reading passage?
Annotate!
Narrative= Setting, Characters, Summary (CPR), and Theme
Informational= Topic, Important Information, Summary (BME), and Main Idea
What can be used when moving between ideas in your writing?
Transitions
Tips:
Transitions are a way to let your reader know that you are moving from one idea to another.
Transitions can be used to ADD to an idea, CONTRAST an idea, and more.
What is the summary technique for a narrative?
C.P.R.
Character, Problem, and Resolution
What technique can we use to respond to a short constructed response?
R.A.C.E.
Restate question, Answer, Cite, and Explain
If you have a question on spelling, vocabulary, or to find a synonym, what resource can you use?
Dictionary
By law, you are required to be provided a physical copy of a dictionary if you ask for one.
What are possible hook stems?
"Imagine..."
"Have you ever..."
"Someone once said, ..."
"Did you know..."
In a narrative, what do we call the person telling the story? Is this the same person as the author?
Narrator, and no. The author and the narrator of a story are not the same person.
What is missing from the following SCR?
One example from the selection is, "The other aikido kids sat in line to my left watching, which used to make me nervous when I was new." This is significant because it shows that Stevie grew as a person.
Answer
Tips:
Flip the question into the answer!
What section of the test should you begin with?
ECR!
Read the passage carefully, annotate, and outline your ECR while you still have mental energy.
This section of the test is worth SO MANY points!
What are possible conclusion stems?
"In conclusion, ..."
"As you can see, ..."
"All in all, ..."
"In summary, ..."
What is a caption?
A word, phrase, or sentence located near a graphic/ image explaining what it is about.
What are the components of an extended constructed response (ECR)?
Introduction, body paragraph(s), and conclusion
Tips:
Make sure you use transitions to move from one paragraph to the next.
Do you need to spend time fully reading and annotating a revising and editing passage?
No. Revising & Editing passages will not ask you comprehension questions, so it would be a waste of time.
Note: You will want to quickly read a revising passage if they ask you a question on controlling idea or conclusion.
What are possible transitions for providing evidence?
"The text states,..."
"On page _, it states,..."
"The author states, ..."
"The article mentions..."
"One example from the text..."
What is the purpose of subheadings in an informational text?
The purpose is to give the reader specific information about the upcoming section.
What should be included in every body paragraph?
- Transition, Evidence, and Explanation
How long should you take on this test?
At least 2 hours.
Even the most avid readers and writers take about 2 hours on this test.
Mentally prepare to take your time. Rushing will only result in careless mistakes.
Note: Sleeping for 1 1/2 hours and then submitting in 2 hours DOES NOT COUNT.
What are possible transitions for contrasting ideas?
"On the other hand..."
"Unlike ____, ____ .."
"Whereas _____, ____..."
"Meanwhile ..."
"However..."
Main idea vs. Theme. What is the difference? Which is specific to a narrative and which is specific to an informational text?
Main idea is a complete sentence about the topic of the text. Include the topic of the text in this sentence. (Informational)
Theme is the universal message of the story. Do not include character names in this sentence. (Narrative)
What is a thesis and where should I include it?
Response to the prompt/ question
The thesis should be the last sentence of my introduction paragraph.