STAAR Writing

True or False: You should revise and edit before you type your final copy AND after you type your final copy.

• TRUE

• FALSE

How many points can you earn when constructing a short response?

• 0 points

• 1 point

• 2 points

• All of the above

What should you do if there is an unfamiliar word in the prompt?

• Skip over it.

• Look it up.

• Replace it with another word.

• Guess what it is.

For your SCRs (Short Constructed Responses) and ECR (Extended Constructed Response [Essay]), where can you do your brainstorming and pre-writing?

• On the computer

• On scratch paper that's provided

• On the back of my hand

• Only in my brain

Match the following STAAR Vocabulary Definitions to their CORRECT USE in a sentence.

• The hero and the villain are two examples of archetypes.

• n. a situation where a terrible choice has to be made; usually either outcome is negative

• The boss had to lay off at least one of her employees, which presented a terrible dilemma for her.

• n. a section of a story that has its own unique combination of setting, characters, dialogue, and activity

• Ms. Blessington shared with us an anecdote about a student who slept in every single class.

• n. a quick story about something of interest, usually with a theme or lesson

• The moment when George shoots Lennie in Of Mice and Men is a powerful scene.

• n. a very typical example of a thing

• An example of a thesis statement might be: “In Gabi, A Girl in Pieces, Isabel Quinteros uses...

• n. a statement that can be proved; in an essay, it’s usually at the beginning

What makes up a COMPLETE SCR?

• Assertion, Proof, Commentary

• Answer, Cite, Explain

• Topic, Reason, Example, Explain, Summarize

• Thesis, Context, Evidence

How is an ECR (the essay) scored?

• Organization & Development of Ideas (4, 3, 2, 1) + Conventions & Mechanics (3, 2, 1) = max score of 7

• Relevant Evidence & Explained Commentary (5, 4, 3, 2, 1) + Thesis (2, 1) + Complexity (2, 1) = max score of 9

• Organization & Development of Ideas (3, 2, 1, 0) + Conventions & Mechanics (2, 1, 0) = max score of 5

• Relevant Evidence & Explained Commentary (4, 3, 2, 1, 0) + Thesis (1, 0) + Complexity (1, 0) = max score of 6

What are the required elements of a complete argumentative essay?

• A thesis, paragraphs, evidence from any text, and a counter-argument

• A thesis that picks a side, organized paragraphs, evidence from the text, counter-argument

• A thesis that picks a side, organized paragraphs, and evidence from the text

• A thesis, paragraphs, evidence from the text, and a personal anecdote

What are the required elements of a complete informational essay?

• Well-developed thesis, Organized paragraphs, and specific evidence from the text

• A thesis, paragraphs, evidence from the text, and a personal anecdote

• Thesis, paragraphs, evidence from the real world

• Theme statement, evidence from the text, analysis of chosen evidence

What are the required elements of a complete correspondence essay?

• Salutation, Thesis, Paragraphs, real-world evidence, and closing

• Salutation, Thesis, Paragraphs, and text evidence 

• Developed thesis, Organized paragraphs, evidence from the text, and closing

• Salutation, Developed thesis, Organized paragraphs, evidence from the text, and closing