1. TAKS Essays NOT scary!

2. Grading Scale/Rubric TAKS essays are scored from 1 to 4. TAKS essays are scored from 1 to 4. Passing score is a 2. Passing score is a 2.

3. How long are they? No more than one page, front and back. No more than one page, front and back. The average length on higher-scoring essays is almost the full space given. The average length on higher-scoring essays is almost the full space given.

4. What do you write about? The prompt is always very general. For example: The prompt is always very general. For example: –Write an essay discussing the importance of hope. –Write a composition discussing the importance of accepting responsibility.

5. Never “Generalize” Always write about a situation specific to YOU. Always write about a situation specific to YOU. Rule of thumb: if everyone already knows it (“Accepting responsibility is very important” – “It’s important to have hope”) THEN DON’T WRITE IT. Rule of thumb: if everyone already knows it (“Accepting responsibility is very important” – “It’s important to have hope”) THEN DON’T WRITE IT.

6. Brainstorming Charts First step: brainstorm First step: brainstorm Second step: write the essay, making sure you don’t include any unnecessary fluff (i.e., generalizations) Second step: write the essay, making sure you don’t include any unnecessary fluff (i.e., generalizations)

7. To make it pleasing… You’re not just going to tell your story – you’re going to SHOW the reader what happened through the use of imagery. You’re not just going to tell your story – you’re going to SHOW the reader what happened through the use of imagery. i.e., instead of saying “The betrayal of my best friend made me mad,” SHOW us she made you mad: “When she betrayed me, my blood ran hot, and I saw red spots. I couldn’t stop shaking, and I felt battered.” i.e., instead of saying “The betrayal of my best friend made me mad,” SHOW us she made you mad: “When she betrayed me, my blood ran hot, and I saw red spots. I couldn’t stop shaking, and I felt battered.”

8. Imagery Topics: 1. Sight – describe specific sights associated with the situation 1. Sight – describe specific sights associated with the situation 2. Sound – describe specific sounds associated with the situation 2. Sound – describe specific sounds associated with the situation 3. Touch – describe specific sensations associated with the situation 3. Touch – describe specific sensations associated with the situation 4. Taste – you get it by now 4. Taste – you get it by now 5. Smell – yup. 5. Smell – yup.

9. Example Topic: favorite place Topic: favorite place “There were red rollercoasters, and I always had a good time.” “There were red rollercoasters, and I always had a good time.” “As I stood by the towering red rollercoaster, I could hear the sharp squeak of its wheels and the muffled screams of the people on it. My friends and I laughed, but we were scared, too.” “As I stood by the towering red rollercoaster, I could hear the sharp squeak of its wheels and the muffled screams of the people on it. My friends and I laughed, but we were scared, too.”

10. Remember… Always take the topic and write about a specific situation pertaining to YOU. Always take the topic and write about a specific situation pertaining to YOU. Make sure you end the essay with WHAT YOU LEARNED about the topic. Make sure you end the essay with WHAT YOU LEARNED about the topic. Include imagery to make the essay interesting! Include imagery to make the essay interesting!

11. Start out with a BANG! Jump RIGHT into the story! Jump RIGHT into the story! Include dialogue (speech) Include dialogue (speech) Make it fun and interesting. Make it fun and interesting.

12. Samples The essay question (we will do this one, too): The essay question (we will do this one, too): Write an essay about the impact another person can have on your life. Write an essay about the impact another person can have on your life.

13. A small section of an essay: Weather you know it or not, people impact other peoples lives. People can help people. People can hurt people. But either way its an impact. A person can help you in a time of need. Weather you know it or not, people impact other peoples lives. People can help people. People can hurt people. But either way its an impact. A person can help you in a time of need. What’s WRONG with this…? What’s WRONG with this…?

14. Student Sample I am going to tell you how other people can affect your life. I am going to tell you how other people can affect your life. There is many ways people can do this. Just like [in the stories previously read]. There is many ways people can do this. Just like [in the stories previously read]. What’s WRONG with this…? What’s WRONG with this…?

15. Student Sample It was Friday night. The sky was lit in a bright haze of yellow. I remember it was raining. It was kind of chilly, the type that makes your teeth chatter. “Hut, hut, Danny!” the all-state quarterback called out. I grabbed the ball and took it up the middle—the last play of the year…One yard, two yards, I stumble, as a last attempt I dive, sliding through the muddy earth just inches from the line.” It was Friday night. The sky was lit in a bright haze of yellow. I remember it was raining. It was kind of chilly, the type that makes your teeth chatter. “Hut, hut, Danny!” the all-state quarterback called out. I grabbed the ball and took it up the middle—the last play of the year…One yard, two yards, I stumble, as a last attempt I dive, sliding through the muddy earth just inches from the line.” (Goes on to talk about how a drunk driver hit his car that night and he became wheelchair-bound) (Goes on to talk about how a drunk driver hit his car that night and he became wheelchair-bound)

16. You’re writing about what you know best…YOU! You’re writing about what you know best…YOU! So be a TAKS Essay Super Star So be a TAKS Essay Super Star