HSPA PREPARATIONSpring 2013

Language Arts HSPA

WritingPersuasive (12

pts.)

Expository (6 pts.)

ReadingPersuasive (18

pts.)

Narrative (18 pts.)

Total Points: 54

Distribute overview handout Points needed to be proficient Points needed to be advanced proficient

ReadingPersuasiv

e45 minutes

18 points total

Multiple-choice=10 pts.

Open-ended=8 pts.

Narrative

50 minutes

18 points total

Multiple-choice=10 pts.

Open-ended=8 pts.

Reading Scores 10 Multiple-Choice Questions

Best answer, not correct answer 1 point each

2 Open-Ended Responses Multiple questions in each At least one paragraph for each bullet point 4 points each

IMPORTANT: Open-ended responses can make or break your score. Don’t leave them blank!

Reading: Multiple Choice

Unlike other multiple-choice tests, there is not only one right answer

The HSPA assesses critical thinking, so you have to choose the BEST answer from several correct answers

Use process of elimination to help narrow down the choices

Do not leave any answers blank—if you have no idea, you should guess!

Look at pages 32-33

Reading: Open-Ended Responses

Each reading passage will have 2 open-ended responses

Each open-ended response includes several parts: YOU MUST ANSWER EACH PART!

Your response must be one paragraph in length for each part of the question

Restate part of the question in your response (use the same words)

Use specific information from the passage (especially direct quotations) in your responses

UNBAN

Look at pages 32-33 Underline key words in the prompt Number all of the items in the prompt that

you need to answer Bracket the answers in the text Answer all of the items that need to be

answered, including quotations in the answers

Number the parts of your answers to make sure you answered everything

WritingPersuasiv

e60 minutes

12 points total

Max. 6 pts. from each reader &

TOTALED

Expository

30 minutes

6 points total

Max. 6 pts. from each reader &

AVERAGED

Persuasive Writing You will be asked to take a position and

support it in a convincing, 5-paragraph response;

Topics are usually school-related and controversial: School uniforms: yes or no? 12-month school year: yes or no? Mandatory drug testing: yes or no?

Persuasive Writing

Pre-writing strategy: P: prompt (figure it out!) B: brainstorm (t-chart – for and against) S: stance (what is it?) M: main ideas (identify three)

Come up with a mnemonic device to remember these steps!

Persuasive Writing: Step 1

Look at the prompt on p. 29 Identify key words and phrases in the

prompt Put the prompt in your own words

Persuasive Writing: Step 2

Step 2: Select your stance Use a T-chart to list main ideas for and

against the issue Decide upon your stance Pick the position that you can best defend,

not the one you most agree with

Practice with the prompt on p. 29

Persuasive Writing: Step 3

Step 3: Choose three solid reasons to support your position Make sure they do not overlap in any way You will explain each reason in a separate body

paragraph

Practice: Are these three reasons good ones?

1. It helps them with their grades.2. It gives them time to study.3. It allows them to get plenty of sleep.

How could you fix this list?

Persuasive Writing: Step 4

Step 4: Write your introductory paragraph1. Use an attention-grabbed to show why your reader should

care about this topic (fact or statistic, anecdote, question, or quotation)A 2010 study found that 57% of all teenagers in New Jersey do not get at least seven hours of sleep during the week.

2. Use a transition that connects the attention-grabber to the thesisSchools must address this problem, and one way is by limiting the time spent on after-school activities.

3. State your position in a clear thesisStudents should not be allowed to participate in after-school activities after 6 p.m. because…

4. List your three reasons in one sentence…students need time to study, need to spend time with their families, and need to get enough sleep.

Persuasive Writing: Step 5

Step 5: Write your body paragraphs Topic sentences need to identify the

paragraph’s main idea Give evidence to support each reason:

Personal examples, facts, statistics, anecdotes, etc.

Statistics can be created, but should be believable (ex. Students who do not get at least seven hours of sleep each night are 30% more likely to fail at least one class.)

Explain how the evidence supports the reason Finish each paragraph with a concluding

sentence

Persuasive Writing: Step 6

Step 6: Write your conclusion paragraph Clearly restate your position Summarize each of the main ideas from your essay Use different words and phrases from the ones you

used in the introductory and body paragraphs Finish your essay by connecting back to the

attention-grabbing device you used in your essayHaving 57% of all teenagers in New Jersey not getting

at least seven hours of sleep during the week is an issue that cannot be ignored. Stopping after-school activities at 6 p.m. can help reduce this percentage, and it might increase grades in the process.

Persuasive Writing: Step 7

Step 7: Revise & Edit For 5-15 minutes, carefully read what you

have written Usage, sentence construction and mechanics

do count: check for correct spelling, punctuation, capitalization, subject-verb agreement, etc.

Use the yellow “Writer’s Checklist” as a reminder

You can erase or cross out mistakes, and then correct them in the margins

This essay is scored as a rough-draft

An Advanced Proficient Essay… Has a clear thesis Presents 3 different, logical, well-chosen reasons Has reasons that are very well developed by

detailed explanations, examples, descriptions, and statistics

Has ideas that are logically arranged and well connected by advanced transitions

Uses successful compositional risks, including:• Defeating

opponent’s argument

• Rhetorical questions

• Parallel structure

• Advanced vocabulary words

• Allusion• Alliteration• Metaphor• Simile

• Imagery• Strong

cohesive devices

• Anecdotes

Expository Writing Write (at least) a 4-paragraph expository essay,

similar to the SAT Writing prompt; Topics are usually based on famous quotations,

adages, or universally accessible topics: “To be without some of the things you want is an

indispensable part of happiness.” Bertrand Russell A chain is as strong as its weakest link. Often, the items in life most worth having are the

most difficult to come by. This is NOT a narrative writing prompt; EXPLAIN

your analysis of the prompt.

Expository Writing: Step 1

TOPIC: An anonymous author once said, “If you find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn’t lead anywhere.” Using examples from literature, history, science, film, or your own experience or observation, write an essay analyzing this quotation and its meaning.

Step 1: Read the prompt carefully and make sure you understand what it is asking you to do. Underline/circle key words Think about how to put the quotation/adage in your

own words

Expository Writing: Step 2

Step 2: Brainstorm the reasons/examples you will use to explain your analysis of the quotation For five minutes, make a list of the possible

examples you could use; Think about possible examples from the

following: Literature (books, short stories, etc.) History (battles, events, people, etc.) Science (famous people, innovations, etc.) Film (characters, plot lines, etc.) Personal experience/observation

REMEMBER, don’t slip into narrative; keep your tone academic.

Expository Writing: Step 3

Step 3: Write your introductory paragraph (5 minutes) Grab the reader’s attention; Integrate the quote, adage or topic;

A “path with no obstacles” would certainly be most people’s dream come true. Imagine living life with no problems. Imagine finding success without having to face failure.

Explain the meaning of the quote, adage, or topic in your own words;This statement holds the truth of life. Of course, not having to run into

mistakes would be a dream come true. However, at the same time, it would also be my own loss.

State your interpretation of the quote, adage or topic in a thesis statement. Take some kind of stance on the issue. Every single challenge a person encounters happens for a reason. A

“path with no obstacles” is not natural. No matter what everyone thinks, obstacles are necessary in everyone’s path to success.

Expository Writing: Step 4

Step 4: Write your 2 (or more) body paragraphs (5 minutes each) Use transition words/phrases to guide the organization; Topic sentences should provide focus for each paragraph; Include specific and vivid details from literature, history,

science, film, or personal experience: Albert Einstein, for instance, was rejected from the first college

to which he applied. Throughout elementary school, I did well with little effort. It was

not until I had difficulty in high school that I learned the importance of preparation and time management.

Explain how your details support your thesis; Finish each paragraph with a concluding sentence.

No more than one body paragraph should focus on a personal example.

Expository Writing: Step 5

Step 5: Write your conclusion paragraph (5 minutes) Generate final remarks without introducing new

examples Unify and summarize your ideas Remind the audience of your main points/thesis Use a clincher (should tie back to the introduction)

A path without obstacles probably does not lead somewhere worthwhile. Paths in life are made up of mistakes. I failed in my youth, and I will probably fail many more times. To tell the truth, without failure, I do not know where I would have ended up. However, I can honestly say this: it would not be as good of a place as where I currently am.

Expository Writing: Step 6 Step 6: Revise & Edit

For 5 minutes, carefully read what you have written

Usage, sentence construction and mechanics do count: check for correct spelling, punctuation, capitalization, subject-verb agreement, etc.

Use the yellow “Writer’s Checklist” as a reminder

You can erase or cross out mistakes, and then correct them in the margins

This essay is scored as a rough-draft

Expository Writing: Practice Apply steps 1-2 to the prompt on p. 28 Step 1: identify key words and rephrase

the prompt Step 2: brainstorm possible topics

One literary or historical example One personal example

Writing Scores Use Registered Holistic Scoring Rubric (RHSR)

6-point rubric Greatest focus on content and organization

2 Independent Scorers Keep in mind your audience (humor, pop culture) They read through the essays very quickly Two independent scores are averaged If there is more than one point separating them,

a third reader scores the essay You want at least a 3 and a 4 to pass You want a 5 and a 6 to be advanced proficient

General Testing Tips Get a good night’s sleep Dress comfortably Eat protein-packed breakfast (peanut butter,

yogurt, etc.) Leave cell phone at home or in your locker Slowly and carefully read directions and

questions Do not leave any answers blank Pace yourself during the test so you don’t run

out of time (be mindful of the time) Try to relax