Prompt Analysis
What is the first thing you should identify in a STAAR prompt?
The task (explain, argue, analyze).
What is a thesis?
A sentence that answers the prompt clearly.
Where does evidence come from?
The passage/text.
What does elaboration do?
Explains your evidence.
When are points often earned?
During revision, proper punctuation, capitalization, etc.
If a prompt says 'Use evidence from the text,' what must you include?
Quoted or referenced text evidence.
Which is stronger: 'The story is good' OR 'The author shows courage through the character’s actions'?
The second sentence.
Which is evidence: Opinion OR Quote
Quote
Prompt: Explain whether or not school should be cancelled on your birthday. Explain your answer.
FINISH: School ____ be cancelled because ____
EX: School should not be cancelled on your birthday because we need to show up to school as much as possible.
What should you check first when revising (first part of ECR)?
Claim/thesis clarity.
What does the word 'explain' tell you to do?
Give reasons and details, not just answers.
What makes a claim strong?
Clear, specific, directly answers the prompt.
Why must evidence match your claim?
To prove your answer.
Evidence alone earns what kind of score?
Low score
Name one common STAAR mistake.
Missing elaboration / weak evidence / summary.
What is the difference between topic and task?
Topic = subject; Task = what you must do.
Why is summary NOT a thesis?
It retells instead of answering the question.
What happens if evidence is irrelevant?
You lose STAAR points.
What does elaboration mean?
Elaboration means to expand on an idea.
Why use rubric language?
It matches STAAR expectations.
Why is restating the prompt important?
It creates a clear thesis/claim.
Restate this prompt. Explain how Marcus showed perseverance in the story.
Ex: Marcus showed perseverance in the passage by ______.
What is stronger: 'The text says stuff' OR a specific quote?
A specific quote.
Why is elaboration the 'money maker'?
It earns you STAAR points.
What improves scores most: Longer writing OR Better explanation?
Better explanation.