Writing
What are some synonyms for "main claim"
Thesis, controlling idea, main idea, major claim
Why is it important to pay attention to question verbs on STAAR?
Because they tell you exactly what kind of thinking and response is required.
Choose the correct "its":
The dog wagged (its/it’s) tail.
Its
What is the difference between tone and mood?
Tone is the author's attitude towards the subject. Mood is how the reader feels while reading.
What do you do when you encounter words you are unfamiliar with?
What is the purpose of commentary?
To explain how the evidence proves your answer to be true. You must EXPLAIN. You cannot just repeat what your evidence says.
What does “develop” mean (as in “develop a theme”)?
Show how something grows or changes over time in the text.
Fix the sentence:
“Before the game the team practiced.”
An introductory phrase requires a comma:
Before the game, the team practiced
How can you find the main idea of a paragraph?
Look for the most important point and supporting details.
Where can you find punctuation rules in the paper copy of the dictionary?
In the BACK! USE IT!
A student begins writing about the theme but then starts summarizing the entire story.
Explain why this weakens the response and what the student should do instead.
This weakens the response because it moves away from the prompt and includes unnecessary details. The student should stay focused on the claim and only include relevant evidence that directly supports their idea.
Explain the difference between “infer” and “analyze.”
Infer means to figure something out that is not directly stated by using clues from the text + your own reasoning.
Analyze means to break down and explain how or why something works in the text. It requires reasoning, evidence, and explanation.
Which is the BEST revision?
“The author uses imagery. The imagery shows the setting. The setting feels dark.”
A. The author uses imagery. The setting feels dark.
B. The author uses imagery to show a dark setting.
C. The imagery shows the setting and it is dark and gloomy and scary.
D. The author uses imagery, and the imagery shows the setting.
B. The author uses imagery to show a dark setting.
The message or lesson we can take from the story
What do you do if you get tired while testing?
Go to the restroom, get some water, or eat a snack. DO NOT FALL ASLEEP!
What is the structure for an SCR (short constructed response)?
Answer, Cite, Explain
What do you have to include in your answer if a question says “support your answer”?
You must include specific evidence from the text.
Which revision is MOST effective?
“She was completely exhausted and very tired after the long day.”
A. She was very tired after the long day.
B. She was exhausted after the long day.
C. She was completely very exhausted and tired.
D. She was tired and exhausted after the day.
B. She was exhausted after the long day.
A question asks: “Which detail best supports the theme?” What should you look for?
The piece of evidence or detail that most clearly connects to and proves the theme.
A question has two answers that sound correct- what should you do?
Go back to the passage and compare both choices using evidence. Choose the answer that is best supported by the text, not the one that just sounds right.
What is the structure for an ECR (Extended Constructed Response)?
Introduction, Body Paragraph One (Topic sentence, evidence, commentary), Body Paragraph Two, and Conclusion
If a question says “determine the meaning of a word,” what strategy should you use?
Use context clues from the surrounding text.
Which revision BEST combines the sentences and clearly shows the relationship between ideas?
“The character failed many times. He kept trying. He eventually succeeded.”
A. Although the character failed many times, he kept trying and eventually succeeded.
B. The character failed many times, and he kept trying, and he eventually succeeded.
C. The character failed many times because he kept trying and eventually succeeded.
D. The character failed many times, so he kept trying and eventually succeeded.
A. Although the character failed many times, he kept trying and eventually succeeded.
How can you determine the author’s purpose in a text?
By analyzing the author’s tone, word choice, and the type of information included.
What order do you have to do the test in?
Whatever order works best for you! If you want to do the essay first, do it! You are the master of your own destiny.