1. EOC Testing Tips Ninth Grade Literature and Composition EOC

2. Test Breakdown Selected response questions (multiple choice) Constructed response questions (paragraph response) Extended-constructed question (two or more paragraphs response) Extended response (essay response; 5 or more paragraphs)

3. Passages Read the ENTIRE passage—don’t just skim. Close read the passages, looking for important details and information. Make notes about the passages as you read them, and as you answer the questions. ◦ Circle, underline, star, etc.!

4. Selected Response Questions Read the WHOLE question, and read it carefully. Read ALL of the answer choices carefully. There are usually two answers that are strong and you must pick the BEST of them. ◦ This is where close reading the passages comes in! If you just skimmed, then you may not pick the BEST answer. Make notes! Cross out wrong answers! Etc.

5. Constructed Response Questions Read the ENTIRE prompt. Be sure to respond to the question directly. ◦ If your response doesn’t answer the question, the response will be scored zero. A constructed response should be at least one paragraph in length. (5 to 7 sentences)

6. Constructed Response Questions “Use details from the text to support your answer.” ◦ This means that you should CITE EVIDENCE from the passage in your paragraph. Give credit to the writer when citing textual evidence. ◦ The passage states that… ◦ In the passage, the author stated…

7. Extended-constructed Response Question An extended constructed-response question requires a longer, more detailed response than a constructed response question does. ◦ Two paragraphs or more. You will respond to a narrative prompt based on a passage you read. Remember that narrative indicates story- telling. When telling a story, you should establish the following: setting, point of view, conflict, characters, etc.

8. Extended Response Question The Extended Response Question is on Part III of the test. You will asked to produce either an argument or develop an informative or explanatory essay. Argumentative: ◦ If you are asked to take a stand/choose a side, then you MUST do so. ◦ You should also use counterarguments/ counterclaims, meaning that you include the opposite of what you are arguing, but you prove it wrong. Informative/Explanatory ◦ Be very clear and provide thorough information and details.

9. Extended Response Question You must cite evidence from BOTH passages provided. Give credit to the writer when citing text evidence: ◦ The passage states that… ◦ In passage one, the author stated… You should introduce the quote: ◦ According to... ◦ The author of passage one claimed... ◦ The author of passage two stated... Follow up quotes with commentary: ◦ This is important because... ◦ Consequently,... ◦ This develops the theme that...

10. Strong Introduction Paragraphs 1. Hook: Capture the reader’s attention with a question, an interesting fact, a quote, a vivid description, etc. 2. Brief explanation: Begin to explain the essay’s topic/subject. Provide general information and background information the reader may need to know. 3. Thesis statement: Last sentence that expresses the main idea of the essay and provides a map for the essay.

11. Strong Argumentative Thesis Statement If writing an argumentative/persuasive essay, your thesis statement MUST state your position (agree/disagree, for/against, etc.). ◦ Schools should not sell junk foods... Once you’ve stated your position, provide your subtopics, which you will elaborate on in your essay. ◦ Schools should not sell junk foods because there are high obesity rates among teens, junk foods provide little nutritional value, and selling junk food sends the wrong message. You then begin your body paragraphs about your subtopics. ***THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT SENTENCE IN THE ESSAY!***

12. Strong Explanatory Thesis Statement If writing an informational/explanatory essay, your thesis statement MUST state the topic clearly. ◦ Schools do not sell junk foods anymore... Once you’ve stated the topic, provide your subtopics, which you will elaborate on in your essay. ◦ Schools do not sell junk foods anymore because there are high obesity rates among teens, junk foods provide little nutritional value, and selling junk food sends the wrong message. You then begin your body paragraphs about your subtopics. ***THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT SENTENCE IN THE ESSAY!***

13. Different Writing Purposes Notice the difference between the argumentative and the explanatory thesis statements: ◦ Argumentative: Schools should not sell junk foods because there are high obesity rates among teens, junk foods provide little nutritional value, and selling junk food sends the wrong message.  This one has an opinion (“should not”) that will be proven in the essay. ◦ Explanatory: Schools do not sell junk foods anymore because there are high obesity rates among teens, junk foods provide little nutritional value, and selling junk food sends the wrong message.  This one states a fact (“do not”) that will be explained in the essay.

14. Strong Paragraph Structure 1. Topic sentence: First sentence of a paragraph that explains the subject of the paragraph. 2. Evidence: Examples, details, etc., from the passages that support your answer. 3. Analysis: Explanation of how your evidence supports your answer. 4. Link sentence: Summarizes response and transitions to next paragraph (if applicable). ***USE THIS FORMAT FOR YOUR CONSTRUCTED RESPONSES AS WELL.***

15. Strong Conclusion Paragraph 1. Restate thesis in a new way: Do NOT rewrite the thesis statement the exact same way. Rephrase and reword it. 2. Summarize main points: Review what you discussed in your body paragraphs and the points you made. 3. Address the greater significance: Comment on your purpose for writing the essay. Basically, explain why your essay and point are important.

16. Make sure that you... Brainstorm!!! Use transitional words and phrases!!! Put the title of articles, poems, and short stories in quotation marks. Underline the title of novels, epics, and plays. Indent the first line of each of your paragraphs. Spell out numbers that are less than one hundred.

17. AVOID!!!! Do NOT make any announcements. Nothing like the following: ◦ “I’m going to talk about...” “This essay is about...” “My position is that...” Do NOT use first or second person point of view. None of the following pronouns: ◦ I, Me, My, You, Your, You’re, We, or Us  Exception: You may use first and/or second person point of view in your hook, ONLY!