1. Get Ready… Get your STAAR folder Pick up a rubric handout You will need a pencil/pen and highlighter

2. STAAR EXPOSITORY ESSAY English I EOC

3. STAAR Expository Composition The expository task requires students to clearly explain what they think about something Expository = CLEAR EXPLANATION The student is NOT trying to convince the reader to think a certain way or accept a single viewpoint; NOT PERSUASIVE WRITING Best to write in third person POV or a combination of first and third person

4. STAAR Expository Writing Rubric SCORE POINT 1 = The essay represents a very limited writing performance. SCORE POINT 2 = The essay represents a very basic writing performance. SCORE POINT 3 = The essay represents a satisfactory writing performance. SCORE POINT 4 = The essay represents an accomplished writing performance. The essays are scored looking a three specific areas in your writing: (1) ORGANIZATION/PROGRESSION; (2) DEVELOPMENT OF IDEAS; (3) USE OF LANGUAGE/CONVENTIONS

5. STAAR Expository Writing Rubric Let’s look at the rubric! For each Score Point, highlight/circle/underline the words or phrases that stand out to you the most for each bullet point EXAMPLE Score Point 1, under Organization/Progression “The organizing structure of the essay is inappropriate to the purpose or the specific demands of the prompt…”

6. STAAR Expository Writing Comparison Now that we’ve looked at the Expository Writing rubric much more closely, look at the two student writing samples One composition earned a “2” (BASIC) and the other earned a “4” (ACCOMPLISHED) Which one is the “2” and which one is the “4”? Why? (Use language from the rubric to support your conclusion) What are the strengths and weaknesses in each composition?

7. How much do I have to write? It’s not about quantity…it’s about quality! You only have 26 lines and A LOT is expected from these 26 lines You do not have room for filler!! Everything you write must contribute to the cohesiveness of your response; be careful not to repeat yourself or use 5 lines to really say nothing Make each sentence matter and maintain organization; don’t shift focus or gravitate from your thesis (controlling idea) Your introduction (with your thesis) should take up no more than the first five of the 26 lines. YOU MUST DO SOME KIND OF PREWRITING!!!

8. What is a thesis statement? It is the guiding focus for your entire essay. It is the main or controlling point Everything in your essay should support your thesis - Nothing should appear in the body of the paper that does not directly connect to the thesis statement Other names for “thesis”: controlling idea main idea focal statement

9. A Good Thesis Statement… Includes your position Contains only one main idea States something worthwhile—not obvious Has an argument built into it Is specific It is narrow enough to fit the assignment It is easily recognized as the main idea It appears as the last sentence or two of your introduction

10. Thesis Statement Mistakes to Avoid Don’t just announce your subject matter. Don’t state a fact or statistic—a thesis must be debatable. Don’t use “in my opinion” or “I think” or “I feel” or “I believe”; this creates a non-debatable thesis. Don’t form your thesis as a question

11. Application Look at your two benchmark essays Find your thesis Write your original thesis on a piece of notebook paper Underneath, revise your thesis statement to make it stronger

12. In a nutshell – Lower Score Range Typical problems in compositions scoring in the lower range (1s and 2s): Poor organizational structure/form for purpose Non-existent or weak thesis Wasted space: repetition, wordiness, extraneous details or examples, looping/meandering, meaningless intros and conclusions Too many ideas General/vague/imprecise use of language or inappropriate tone for the purpose Poorly crafted overall Weak conventions – issues with spelling and grammar Prewriting/revising/editing is NOT evident

13. In a nutshell – Higher Score Range Typical strengths in compositions scoring in the higher range (3s and 4s): Strong structure/form with direct connection to composition’s purpose Explicit and sustained thesis “narrow and deep” development – no wasted words or space Short but effective introductions and conclusions Specific use of language and appropriate tone Well-crafted essay overall Strong conventions – higher level vocabulary and grammar Prewriting/revising/editing is EVIDENT