The staar Expository essay

1. ThestaarExpository essay a how-to reference guide

2. The prompt: 3 minutes • Start at the bottom. • Read the writing prompt first. • Underline key words in the writing prompt. Look up any words you do not understand. • Read the explanation above the writing prompt second. • Read the quote or example in the box last.

3. Deciding what to write about: 5 minutes • If you know what you want to write about, GREAT! Write down as many examples as you can for your idea. • If you are not sure, list two or three possible ideas that relate to the writing prompt. • Write down as many examples for each idea as you can. • Choose the idea YOU LIKE the best. • If absolutely NOTHING comes to mind, try one of the following: • What would your best friend write about? • If you were The Most Interesting Person in the World, what would you write about? • What would Ms. Harrod (or some other awesome person you admire) write about?

4. Thesis statement: 5 minutes • What is your essay going to be about? • Write a clear sentence that explains what you think. • Add an explanation of WHY you think that. • This is your thesis statement. Your entire essay will focus on this statement; each example will be clearly tied to this statement. • Make sure your thesis statement is directly related to the writing prompt. If it is not, go back and rewrite the thesis statement.

5. Plan your essay: 5 minutes • Choose your strongest example or two strongest examples. • DO NOT USE MORE THAN TWO EXAMPLES! • Write down as many details as you can about each example. • Write down how that example relates to the writing prompt. • Make a brief “road map” for your essay: what will each paragraph contain?

6. Write a rough draft: 15 minutes • In your testing booklet, write a rough draft of your essay. • DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP!!! • DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP!!! • Start with your thesis statement. • Jump right in discussing your example. • Your second paragraph should include as much detail as possible about the example, stopping to explain how this relates to your thesis periodically. • Your last paragraph should provide closure to the example, show how it explains your thesis, and create a lasting image for your reader. • DO NOT CENSOR YOUR WRITING DURING THIS STAGE! Write whatever comes to mind.

7. Revise: 10 minutes • Is your thesis statement clear? Do all ideas in the essay clearly relate to the thesis? • Depth: do you have enough detail? Use the “explain it to a five year old” test. • Do your ideas progress logically? Does the essay follow a logical order? • Do you have more than one paragraph? Are your paragraphs indented? • Transitions: does the essay flow from one idea to the next? • Word choice: do you use words that are meaningful and specific? • Sentences: do you have a combination of short and long sentences? Are there any run-on sentences or fragments? • ADD or REMOVE information where you need to. Write it directly above the line on your rough draft.

8. Proofread: 5 minutes • All in past tense? • Commas with coordinating conjunctions? • Subject-verb agreement? • All words spelled out? • End punctuation? • Capital letters where they are needed? • All words spelled correctly? • Make corrections directly on rough draft.

9. Final draft: 5 minutes • Carefully copy your rough draft onto the final draft paper (or type carefully into final draft section on computer). • Do not rush the copying process. • Be sure to include all revision changes you have made on the rough draft. • When you are done copying the final draft, read through it ONE MORE TIME to catch any final mistakes.

10. Now do it all over again • There will be two writing prompts on the STAAR test. • One is graded; one is a “field test.” • Treat each essay as if it were the graded one. • Allow one hour for each essay.

11. ThestaarExpository essay a how-to reference guide