Idea Development
Idea development is scored
on a 1 to __ scale.
5
Restate the prompt in your own words:
Imagine that for one day you could trade places with anyone you choose. The person could be real or imaginary, from the past or from the present.
In a well-developed composition, identify the person you would want to trade places with, explain why you would like to trade places with this person, and describe how your day would be different as this person.
Who would I want to trade places with? Why? How would a typical day be different as this person?
“She sells seashells down by the seashore”
is an example of which literary device?
Alliteration
Why is it important to take a break between writing your draft and editing/revising?
Stepping away from our work helps us to
see more clearly when we come back to revise.
Name three specific things you can do the night and the morning before MCAS to make sure you are refreshed and able to perform at your best.
Eat breakfast
Go to sleep early
Wake up a few minutes earlier than usual
Is the following prompt asking you to write a text-based response or a narrative?
Explain why “Save the Seagrass, Save the Seahorse” is an appropriate title for the article. Support your answer with important and specific details from the article.
Text-Based Response
A. Name one sentence that must be in
your introduction.
B. Where does this sentence go?
A. Thesis
B. Last sentence of the introduction
“The cold, wet ground harshly pressed
against my sore, bare feet as I struggled
to move forward”
is an example of which literary device?
Imagery
How long should a paragraph be?
5-8 Sentences
If you are worried about forgetting the structure of a text based response or narrative, what should you do as soon as you begin the test?
Create your graphic organizer
What do I need to include in my body paragraphs on a text-based response?
Topic Sentence
Evidence
Analysis
Reflection/Closing Sentence
Name one Introduction Strategy
Begin with a quotation or proverb
Begin with an anecdote (short story)
Begin with a startling or interesting fact
Begin by posing a question
Begin with an analogy (a comparison
presented to make a point)
“The rain droplets slithered down the back of my neck”
is an example of which literary device?
Personification
What are blah words? What do you do about them?
Overused, boring words.
Replace them with stronger, more interesting words.
What strategies can you use to help yourself if you feel start to feel tired, distracted or “burnt out” during MCAS?
Get some water
Use the restroom
Take a break
Skip to a question you feel confident about
Mindful breathing
Write a thesis statement for the following prompt:
Should middle school students have recess?
Middle school students should have recess because it helps them burn off energy, keeps them healthy, and gives students’ brains a break.
Name one strategy you can use in your conclusion.
-Restate your thesis in other words
-Summarize main ideas from body paragraphs
-Draw a conclusion based upon the information you presented
-Relate your topic to your reader
-Suggest that your reader take some action related to the topic
“Bzzz bzzzz bzzzzz rang through the little girl’s ears as
the bee flew around her”
is an example of which literary device?
Onomatopoeia
Revise the following sentence:
Me and my friends had a very fun day.
My friends and I had a fantastic day full of delicious food, unbelievable views, and thoughtful conversation.
True or false?
It’s okay to summarize a story instead of answering the prompt
FALSE! Make sure you break down the prompt. What is it asking you to do? Assume your reader has already read the story.
When writing a narrative, what do you need to include?
Beginning
Middle
End
(Also accepted: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution)
What is missing from the following paragraph? (2 possible answers)
For example, in the first article Hoose says, “Each day started at five in the morning with a bone-rattling blast from the factory whistle.” The Hoose uses a hyperbole to show how loud the whistle was and how early they had to wake up. Another example of how hard the mill girls lives were is, “the little ones often fell asleep standing up, but the machines never slept.” Another way the author portrays this is, “The company controlled virtually every part of a mill girl’s life.”
Topic Sentence
Analysis for the 2nd and 3rd pieces of evidence
Write one sentence using imagery, alliteration, and irony.
Answers will vary
Edit the following sentence:
When you play hockey you have to, be really good at skating and, know how to pass the puck.
When you play hockey, you have to be really good at skating and know how to pass the puck
List three vocabulary words you’ve learned this year that you could use in a text-based response or narrative.
Answers will vary