Review of the STAAR Writing Test Reminders This

Review of the STAAR Writing Test Reminders: This should be your best work! Everything counts – the multiple choice responses, both compositions, spelling, punctuation & handwriting.

STAAR Writing Day 1 Day 2 4 hours The test will have 2 parts: • Written composition (either narrative or expository) • Revising/editing – there will be around 15 multiple choice questions (may be all revising, all editing or a combination of both) • Written composition (either narrative or expositorywhichever you did not do yesterday) • Revising/editing – there will be around 15 multiple choice questions (may be all revising, all editing, or a combination of both) The instructions will tell you to do the test sections in any order. We want you to do the revising/editing section first!

Composition and Multiple Choice Your teacher will read the instructions for both the composition and revising/editing sections of the test before you start testing. The composition is the first section in the test booklet, and the revising/editing section is last. The instructions say you can do the test in any order you want. Your teachers would like you to do the revising/editing section first, and then go back and complete the composition. **Remember-ask your teacher to read the prompt to you**

Revise/Edit Multiple Choice 30 -45 minutes Read the instructions and introduction for the passage. As you read, look for mistakes in spelling, punctuation, word usage, sentences that don’t belong, and sentences that could be combined. Go to the questions. Read each question. Underline the sentence you are going to be revising or editing. If you are being asked to add sentences or words/phrases, you will probably need to read the entire paragraph to determine what change should be made. Read each answer choice carefully. Make sure you refer back to the sentence in the passage before choosing your answer. When you have decided on your answer, carefully mark it on the answer document. Make sure to completely bubble in your answer with a neat, dark mark. Remember: “Make no change” or “No revision needed” means that it is best to leave the sentence the way it is written in the passage.

Write a composition about the topic you are given. When you are ready to start the composition, ask your teacher to read the prompt page to you. Make sure you pay attention to whether you are writing a narrative or an expository piece (we don’t know which day they will be on!) Do all of your prewriting and drafting on any of the white pages in the packet. You can also ask for extra notebook paper to plan and draft on. You may also use as many sticky notes as needed. The final copy should be close to 1 page long. It cannot be more than 1 page. All of your writing, including a title if you have one, must be inside the box. Do NOT skip lines. Indent for each new paragraph. Write the final copy on the lined pages. Remember: This should be your best writing! Take your time, and do your best work!!

Prewriting/Planning: Time to Think 10 -15 minutes Narrative Expository Your narrative should tell a STORY. Your expository should EXPLAIN. Choose a prewriting tool/strategy: Make a list of possible topics. Create a chart (using details) BME outline Plan it out – DO NOT WRITE ABOUT THE ENTIRE DAY! (A piece of the pie? ) REMEMBER: q DADS QT Lead q EXPLODE 1 Moment q 4 Part Conclusion Planning will help your organization and focus!! Choose a prewriting tool/strategy: Make a list of possible topics. Think about your 2 -3 reasons and organizing in paragraphs Plan it out – make sure your idea is for an expository composition. REMEMBER: q Clear Central Idea q 2 -3 Strong reasons supported with details and mini-stories Planning will help your organization and focus!!

Drafting: Time to Write it Down 30 - 45 minutes Draft on Notebook paper Narrative Leads (5 minutes) Create at least 2 -3 DADS QT Leads. Pick the one you like the best. Quick Write the rough draft. (20 -30 minutes) STAY FOCUSED- Explode the MOMENT What did you see, hear, feel, etc? Think about your senses as you write. Pretend this is just like a quick write – write nonstop just to get your ideas down! (write in depth) Conclusions (5 minutes) Create an ending using at least 2 -4 parts Don’t write: “The end, ” write a conclusion! Expository Central Idea (5 minutes) • Make sure your central idea is clear in your introduction. Show don’t‘ Tell Quick Write the rough draft. (20 -30 minutes) STAY FOCUSED – What are you explaining? Use mini-stories to support your reasons Pretend this is just like a quick write – write nonstop just to get your ideas down! (write in depth) Conclusions (5 minutes) Summarize your reasons to wrap up. Don’t tell your reader: “That’s why…. ”

Revising: 30 -45 minutes Narrative Did you write in enough depth to give it the length it needs? Did you explode the moment? q Snapshots & Thoughtshots? q Describe how you felt, what you saw, what you thought? q Write in SLOWMOTION? q Prove-its? Maybe it is…maybe it isn’t? Double check for a DADS QT lead that hooks your reader. Make sure your 2 -4 part conclusion “Wraps up” your story. Make sure you wrote a STORY!! Use and colore help sticky d pen c rev you w notes ils isio t ns ith you o r Expository Did you write in enough depth to give it the length it needs? Did you create and introduction with a clear central idea? Did you include reasons to support your central idea? Are your reasons separated in to paragraphs to help your organization? Do you have mini-stories to help support/explain your reasons? Did you include other author techniques? (especially in ministories) Prove Its – maybe it is, maybe isn’t… Snapshots and Thoughtshots Make sure you are EXPLAINING something!

Revising: Time to Improve My Writing 30 -45 minutes Did you reread your draft for complete sentences? Make sure all sentences have nouns doing actions. (subjects/predicates) NO fragments! Fill in any words you left out. THIS IS A BIGGY! Did you include all types of sentences? Statements ending with periods. Emotions ending with exclamations. Questions ending with questions marks. Do all of your sentences begin differently? Start some sentences with prepositions or prepositional phrases – not FANBOYS! Combine some sentences using conjunctions. (FANBOYS-especially and, but, or) Remember: Your final composition needs to be about 1 page, but it cannot be longer than 1 page!!

Final Copy: Time to Finish My Writing 20 minutes Write on the lined pages. DON’T SKIP LINES ON THE final copy! If you have a title, write it on the top line – DON’T WRITE OUTSIDE THE BOX! TAKE YOUR TIME! Include all revisions! Snapshots, thoughtshots, etc. Author techniques Paragraphs Use your best handwriting! Remember: Your final composition needs to be about 1 page, but it cannot be longer than 1 page!!

Editing: Time to Make Things Correct 20 minutes DON’T TURN IN THE ANSWER DOCUMENT UNTIL YOU HAVE DONE THE FOLLOWING… Use your knowledge about the rules of English! When checking for spelling, start at the end and go to the beginning; touch every word. Make sure there is a distinction between upper and lower case letters. Check all of your punctuation; commas, apostrophes, quotations, and ending marks. Read your composition aloud to yourself – IN A WHISPER – don’t leave words out. Is all of your grammar correct?

Things to do to prepare: Review this testing process. Eat a healthy dinner. Go to bed on time! EAT A HEALTHY BREAKFAST! Don’t forget your water bottle. Remember, this is only a test of what you know – not what you don’t know! As long as you do what you’re supposed to do and give it your best, that is all that matters! Parent Signature: ___________