HSPA PREPARATIONSpring 2013

Language Arts HSPAWriting

Persuasive (12 pts.)

Expository (6 pts.)

ReadingPersuasive (18

pts.)Narrative (18

pts.)Total Points: 54 (Passing score last

year was 30)

ReadingPersuasi

ve45 minutes

18 points total

Multiple choice=10 pts.

Open-ended=8 pts.

Narrative50 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 sentence 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 M.C. 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

Answer easiest questions first, then go back and answer more difficult questions

Use process of elimination to help narrow down the choices

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

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 at least part of the question in your response

Use specific information from the passage (such as quotations) in your responses

Additional Open-Ended Responses Suggestions

When reading the open-ended response prompts, number the different components

Then, when writing your response, number each answer to remind yourself of the focus

Use direct quotations from the passage (“that look like this”) in your responses to increase your score

HIGH SCORES: Students get higher scores for using important key words from questions in their responses.

WritingPersuasi

ve60 minutes

12 points totalMax. 6 pts. from each reader &

TOTALED

Expository

30 minutes

6 points totalMax. 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 somewhat controversial: School uniforms: yes or no? 12-month school year: yes or no? Mandatory drug testing: yes or no?

If you follow the formula, you will do well

Persuasive Writing: Step 1

TOPIC: Should Physical Education be a graduation requirement?

Step 1: Take a clear position Choose only one side, not both For 5-15 minutes, use a T chart to decide on

your position and brainstorm possible reasons Pick the position that you can best defend, not

the one you most agree with

Practice with topic above by filling out T chart.

Persuasive Writing: Step 2 Step 2: Choose 3 good reasons to support

your position Make sure they do not overlap in any way Explain each reason in a separate body

paragraph

Practice: Are these three reasons good? 1. It gets students to exercise.2. It helps kids stay fit.3. It promotes teamwork.How could you fix this list?

Persuasive Writing: Step 3 Step 3: Write your introductory paragraph

1. State your position in a clear thesisPhysical education should remain a graduation requirement.

2. List your three reasons in one sentenceStudents benefit from Phys. Ed. by exercising regularly, learning how to compete, and becoming part of a team.

3. Use an attention-getting sentence to show why your reader should care about this topicWith obesity on the rise in our country, physical education is more important than ever.

Persuasive Writing: Step 4 Step 4: Write your body paragraphs

Topic sentences should focus on each paragraph’s main reason

Give evidence to support each reason: Personal examples, facts, statistics, anecdotes, etc. Statistics should be believable, but don’t have to be

100% true: (ex. Students who do not participate in any physical activity are 40% more likely to develop high cholesterol.)

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

sentence

Persuasive Writing: Step 5 Step 5: Write your conclusion paragraph

Restate your position clearly Summarize each of the main reasons from

your essay Use different words and phrases from the

ones you used in the introductory and body paragraphs

Finish your essay with a sentence that clinches the argument

Persuasive Writing: Step 6 Step 6: 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 correct them in the margins

This essay is scored as a rough-draft

An Advanced Proficient Essay… Has a clear statement of the position (thesis) Presents 3 different, logical, well-chosen reasons Reasons are very well developed by detailed

explanations, examples, descriptions, statistics, etc. Ideas are well connected by using transitional devices and

arranged logically, arrangement is reinforced by skillful choice of words

Writer uses successful compositional risks and writing devices which include:• Defeating

opponent’s argument

• Rhetorical questions

• Parallel

structure• Verbal

sophistication• Allusion• Alliteration• Metaphor

• Simile• Imagery• Strong

cohesive devices

• Anecdotes

Expository Writing You will be asked to 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 a strong as its weakest link. Often, the things in life most worth having are the

most difficult to come by. Remember, 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 have to face failure.

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

into mistakes would be a dream come true for me. But at the same time, it would also be my own loss.

State your interpretation of the quote, adage or topic in a thesis statement. Every single challenge one encounters happens for a reason. A

“path with no obstacles” is not natural. Whether everyone thinks, obstacles are necessary in everyone’s path to succeed.

Expository Writing: Step 4

Step 4: Write your 2+ 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 he

applied to. 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 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 (could tie back to the intro)

A path without obstacles probably does not lead somewhere because there is no where to lead to. Paths in life are made up of mistakes. I failed in my youth and I will probably fail many more times. To tell you the truth, without failure, I do not know where I would have ended up. But, I can honestly say this: it would not be as good of a place.

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 correct them in the margins

This essay is scored as a rough-draft

Writing Scores Use Registered Holistic Scoring Rubric (RHSR)

6 point rubric Greatest focus on content and organization

2 Independent Scorers Out-of-state and not teachers On average, they spend 3 minutes on each essay Two independent scores are averaged If there is more than one point separating them, a

third reader scores the essay Must receive at least a 3 and a 4 to pass Advanced proficient must score at least a 5 and a

6

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 locker Read directions and questions slowly and carefully Do easiest questions first, then go back to hard ones Do not leave any answers blank Pace yourself during the test so you don’t run out of

time Try to relax…