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TAKS Writing Assessment Personal Narrative TAKS Writing Assessment

TAKS Writing Prompts Write a personal narrative essay describing the power of friendship. Describe a time you felt betrayed by someone. Describe a time you betrayed someone. Write a persona narrative essay about how an object can remind you of a special person. Etc.

TAKS Writing Rubric Focus and Comprehension Organization Focused on ONE event Every part is related to the prompt Understandable Meaningful intro and conclusion Organization Paragraphs/Ideas flow logically (transitions) No needless repetition Development of Ideas Ideas are teased out No jumping around Relate events to the prompt

TAKS Writing Rubric Continued Voice Engaging (interesting) Shows unique perspective Conventions Proofreading Spelling, punctuation, word choice, grammar, capitalization Sentence structure

Understanding the Personal Narrative Task A personal story Use of “I,” “me” and “my” is necessary Event driven Write about events, not just ideas/thoughts Story with a lesson Story Telling Elements Setting Characters Plot (beginning, middle, end) Conflict! If your story doesn’t have these, think of a different one!

Prewriting Tips Outline your story Pick a story you want to write about Outline the major events Make sure it has a beginning, middle and end Fill in the details Only add details that are relevant and that move your story forward Make sure that everything supports the point you’re making

Adding Details Add dialogue Add figurative language Internal: Inner conversation External: Conversation with others Add figurative language Similes Metaphor Hyperbole Personification

Adding Details Add sensory details Use vivid word choice Appeal to all five senses Sight, sound, touch, taste, smell Be specific Use vivid word choice Use ACTION verbs Avoid forms of “Be” (Am, is, are, was, were, being, been) Verbs that describe specific actions: Use adjectives and adverbs Words that describe things and actions She ate the ice cream. Add an adverbs: She ate the ice cream sloppily. Add adjectives: She ate the melting ice cream sloppily.

Suggested Format Start with the story (1st paragraph) Lead into the topic (1st paragraph) Go back to the story (2nd paragraph and on) Discuss the topic as you are telling me the story End with what you learned (last paragraph)

Essay (Score Point 4) TOPIC: Discuss how an object can remind a person about a special relationship. Recently, my grandmother Greta Heinrich passed away. It has been an extremely hard time for my family. We are constantly reminiscing about the “good old times” with Oma as we called her. Sometimes we just break down into hugs and tears. It has been especially hard for my mother—she has now lost both of her parents. Because both of my grandparents have died, their estate must now be divided among the members of the family. Some members want the most expensive or beautiful things Oma left behind. When it is my turn to choose my memento of Oma, I will simply respond, “I want the old Scrabble set.”

One might ask why I would want the Scrabble set One might ask why I would want the Scrabble set. At first glance, by an uneducated eye, it appears less than promising. The box, at one time, was a deep burgundy color. Now it is faded. The box is extremely dilapidated. The corners look like they are held together by a thread and a prayer. Once I blow the dust off of the top and carefully open the box, the board is not in much better condition than the box that contains it. I am sure there are missing tiles. Why, then, would I want something that is not worth much money, even to a collector? For someone who does not understand the special bond between my grandmother and me, it would be impossible to fully comprehend my choice.

While I was a little kid growing up, I spent much of my free time at my Oma’s house. She and I would watch television, read, bake cookies, go out to eat, and play board games. My most vibrant memories are those of playing Scrabble with my Oma. She and I would play the game for hours. Building words off of words, scoring double and triple points, Oma was excellent at the game. I believe I only beat her once. Through playing Scrabble, my grandmother instilled a love of words within me. We also grew close in our bond. This was our special game and our special time. She became my best friend.

Now that she is gone, I miss my Oma terribly Now that she is gone, I miss my Oma terribly. There is a hole in my life where she is supposed to be. Although I feel like that special bond is still between us, I can no longer decide to laugh over a game of Scrabble with her. All I have left are the memories that I hold close. The Scrabble box reminds me of all the great times we spent together. Maybe, one day, when I have “passed on,” I will be able to see my grandmother and say, “Hey, Oma, how about a game of Scrabble?” Until then, I will hold the Scrabble box and remember my grandmother fondly.