Useful Tools
This tool should be used when encountering unfamiliar words.
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the dictionary
This is a 3 letter acronym used when examing author's purpose.
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PIE (persuade,inform, entertain).
When writing an essay, You must support your ideas with _______________.
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Text Evidence
What is the purpose of a counterargument in an argumentative essay?
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Address/Acknowledge opposing ideas and prove them wrong
According to the scoring rubric for essays, what is the maximum score that can be received?
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a 5
This strategy is used to respond to an Extended Constructed Response Question
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RACES
What does the term SCR represent?
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short constructed response
When drafting a STAAR essay, what is the maximum amount of paragraphs needed according to our planning strategy used in class?
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4
Which of the following is the most important sentence in an introductory paragraph according to the STAAR essay rubric?
A. Hook
B. Background information/ Context
C. Elaboration
D. Thesis Statement
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D. Thesis Statement
This is often included within an Informational Text to support comprehension.
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Text Features
This skill is most helpful on the writing portion when trying to capture mistakes in grammar and mechanics.
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proofreading
These terms help your paper flow when used at the beginning of a new paragraph.
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transition words
Which essay type requires a position to be established in the thesis statement?
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argumentative/persuasive
After citing evidence in a body paragraph, what is the next step in developing ideas?
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elaboration on how the evidence supports the answer.
Name the 4 major components that make up the STAAR test.
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Reading (multiple choice)
Essay (extended constructed responce/ECR)
SCR (short constructed response)
Revising and Editing
Explain the KLASS acronym.
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Know- What does the question want to see if you know?
Look- What paragraph is the question focused on?
A-Answer using elimination
S- Select correct answer
S-Support your answer
This is an important paragraph that is written to end an essay.
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conclusion
This document informs the the writer what their essay will be about
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Prompt
When citing evidence in your essay you must include this with your text evidence.
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The paragraph number (citation) and quotation marks if directly quoting from text.
Which sentence uses commas correctly?
1. Since I am at school, on Monday, I am able to view the solar eclipse.
2.Since I am at school on Monday, I am able, to view the solar eclipse.
3. Because, I am at school on Monday I am able to view the solar eclipse.
4. Because I am at school on Monday, I am able to view the solar eclipse.
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Sentence 4
This is the first thing you should do AFTER deconstructing the prompt when planning essay drafts (ECR).
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plan your thesis statement
What are the steps that make up RACES?
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Restate the prompt
Answer the question
Cite Evidence
Explain
Sum it up
Explain the key purpose of Informational vs. Argumentative essays.
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Informational (expository)= Explain, Argumentative (persuasive)=persuade/convince
What are the steps in writing an effective Thesis Statement?
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restate the prompt to establish your claim/position and then give your 2 reasons to be discussed in the essay.
Claim/Position + 2 reasons = 1 Clear Thesis
Explain the steps in the acronym used for responding to short constructed responses.
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A-answer the question
C-cite evidence from the text
E-explain how evidence supports your answer.