STAAR Writing Study Guide 2014

Revising and Editing Spelling Sentence Structure Punctuation Grammar

Commonly Confused words: Their, there, they’re Their (possessive), there (location), they’re (they are) Then, than Then (Time), Than (Comparing) It’s, its It’s (It is), Its (Possessive) Too, two, to Too (Also, Excessively), Two (number), to (preposition/direction) In, on, at (prepositions) Except, accept Except (But, excluding), Accept (Take)

Sentence Structure: Compound ( , FANBOYS) You must rest, for you will be taking the test in the morning. Complex (WABU: When, After, Because, Until, etc.) Until you submit your application, I cannot help you.

Phrases/Clauses: Phrases/Clauses: Prepositional phrase (no subject or verb) under the table, over the table, beside the table, next to the table, on the table, around the table Appositive phrase (no subject or verb) Mrs. Gutierrez, the school nurse, gave me an ice pack for my forehead. Subordinating clause (Sub. conjunction & subject and verb) While you were out, someone called. Someone called while you were out.

Dictionary Use Misspelled words Capitalized words Prefix/suffix meanings Hyphenated words Parts of Speech to determine if used correctly in the sentence

Transition words and phrases Know the meaning Recognize pattern or relationship (example, agreement, sequence, order, time, adding, comparing, contrasting, cause and effect, concluding) HOTCASA: However, On the other hand, Therefore, Consequently, As a result

Commas – Study foldable! Compound sentences Complex sentences In a series Between adjectives of equal rank (not the last adjective before the noun) After introductory words, phrases, and clauses To set off parenthetical expressions (names, therefore, of course, not yours) Nonessential expressions (appositive phrases, participial phrases etc.) Dates, Geographical names, numbers, addresses, letters

Quotation Marks Direct quotations, speaker tag Titles of short written works (poems, short stories, songs, TV shows, articles)

Possessives Single vs. plural (make plural first than possessive) Dog’s leash… Dogs’ leashes Irregular plurals (make plural first than possessive) Man – men’s suits Wolf – wolves' den

Relative Pronouns: Who/Which/That Who (People) My friend, who won the award, is now going on a week-long vacation. That (People, Things/Concepts) He is the kind of person that will never let you down. Which (Things/Concepts) The science fair, which lasted all day, ended with an awards ceremony.

Subject-Verb Agreement Single He was studying for the test last night. Plural They were studying for the test last night.

VERBS Irregular Past Tense Verbs no –ed (to sing: I sang) Verify with a dictionary (usually spells it out for you) Regular Past Tense Verbs –ed (to walk: I walked)

Writing (Essays) Narrative Expository

NARRATIVE COMPOSITION Organizational Patterns: cluster, bubble map, list Indentation First person (I, me, my) BME (Beginning, Middle, End) Lesson Learned (Theme) Super Sentences, STC (This is a Super Sentence because it has a WABU clause; therefore, I will use them in my composition.) FANBOYS (compound sentences) WABU (complex sentences) When, Whenenver, While; After, Although, As long as; Because, Before; Unless, Until SAT (WOW) words NARRATIVE COMPOSITION

EXPOSITORY COMPOSITION Text Structures: Cause/Effect, Problem/Solution, Description, Sequence, Compare/Contrast Indentation Introduction Strategies (Anecdote, Quotation, Dictionary, Description, MNM) Thesis Statement Super Sentences, Variety FANBOYS (compound sentences) WABU (complex sentences) When, Whenever, While; After, Although, As long as; Because, Before; Unless, Until SAT (WOW) words Details/Examples Definitions/Facts