Informative Essay
This type of essay explains a topic using facts, details, and evidence instead of opinions.
Informative Essay
In an SBAC argumentative performance task, this statement clearly presents the writer’s position on the issue being discussed.
In a narrative performance task, writers use this literary element to reveal characters’ thoughts, feelings, and personalities through conversations.
What is a dialogue?
Words and phrases such as “for example,” “however,” and “as a result” are used to connect ideas smoothly between sentences and paragraphs. These are called what?
What are transitions?
In an SBAC performance task, writers should give credit to the articles, videos, or texts they use for evidence. This practice is called what?
What is citing sources?
An informative essay introduction should establish the topic, engage the reader, and include this statement that previews the essay’s controlling idea without directly arguing an opinion.
What is a thesis statement (or controlling idea statement)?
A student argues that schools should start later because teens need more sleep. To strengthen the argument according to SBAC expectations, the student should include this type of support from credible sources.
What is relevant evidence?
An SBAC narrative essay should include a sequence of events that develops naturally and logically. This overall structure is known as what?
What is plot?
In a well-organized essay, each body paragraph should focus on one central idea introduced by this type of sentence.
What is a topic sentence?
A student copies a sentence exactly from a source and places quotation marks around it. This is called what?
What is a direct quote?
This part of an informative essay introduces the topic and includes the main idea or focus statement.
What is the introduction?
An argumentative essay acknowledges the opposing viewpoint and then explains why the writer’s position is stronger. This opposing viewpoint is called what?
What is a counterclaim?
A student writes: “The hallway lights flickered as Maya tightened her grip on the crumpled note.” This technique helps create tension and allows readers to picture the scene clearly.
What is sensory detail?
In effective SBAC writing, it should reinforce the main idea and provide a sense of closure for the reader.
What is the conclusion?
Instead of copying a source word-for-word, a student rewrites the information in their own words while keeping the original meaning. This is called what?
What is paraphrasing?
When a student quotes or paraphrases information from a source to support ideas in the essay, they are using this.
What is textual evidence?
A student writes: “Although some people believe homework improves responsibility, research shows excessive homework can increase stress and reduce sleep.” This sentence demonstrates what argumentative writing technique?
What is rebutting a counterclaim?
In narrative writing, the moment of highest tension or turning point in the story is called this.
What is the climax?
A writer puts ideas in order from least important to most important to make the ending stronger. This type of organization is called what?
What is order of importance?
A student includes evidence from an article but forgets to mention where the information came from. According to SBAC expectations, this writing problem is called what?
What is plagiarism?
A student includes a statistic from one article and an expert quotation from another source to explain the effects of social media on teens. According to SBAC writing expectations, the student must also do this in order to fully elaborate.
What is explain how the evidence connects to or supports the main idea?
An SBAC scorer notices that an essay uses emotional language and opinions but provides little factual support, weak source integration, and limited explanation of evidence. According to the argumentative writing rubric, the essay would most likely score poorly in this category.
What is evidence and elaboration?
An SBAC scorer praises an essay for using pacing, description, reflection, and transitional techniques to develop experiences naturally and effectively. These skills are most closely associated with this narrative writing trait.
What is elaboration of narrative techniques?
A student’s performance task essay contains strong evidence and advanced vocabulary, but ideas jump randomly between paragraphs and transitions are unclear. On the SBAC rubric, this weakness would most directly lower the student’s score in this writing trait category.
What is organization?
An effective performance task essay smoothly introduces evidence by naming the source or author before including a quote or paraphrase. This writing skill is known as what?
What is integrating evidence or integrating citations?