1. EOC FINAL REVIEW

2. Open up the testing booklet and look for the writing section
Open up the testing booklet and look for the writing section. Go straight to your prompt and box it!

4. Start your 4 square planning.
If you’re online testing, ask your test administrator for scratch paper to plan your essay. Type your rough draft and revise and edit on the screen.
Make sure your “HELPS” tie to the prompt before you start writing!

5. Remember the Formula (Bare Bones Essay)
FOR EXAMPLE, FOR INSTANCE
TS (thesis statement T + P + R/M)
CD 1 (concrete detail that supports your thesis)
CM (comment/explain)
CD 2 (concrete detail that supports your thesis)
CM(comment/explain)
CS (concluding statement)
ADDITIONALLY, FURTHERMORE, SIMILARLY, ANOTHER EXAMPLE IS
WITHOUT _____, THE WORLD WOULD BE… OR
ALTHOUGH IT MAY BE DIFFICULT TO _____, IT IS NECESSARY…

6. Remember the Formula (3 paragraph essay)
H (hook SSQMAD method)
B (bridge the gap between your hook and thesis)
TS (thesis statement T + P + R/M)
TS (topic sentence that covers both CDs.)
CD 1 (concrete detail that supports your thesis)
CM (comment/explain)
CD 2 (concrete detail that supports your thesis)
CM(comment/explain)
CS (concluding statement)
FOR EXAMPLE, FOR INSTANCE
WITHOUT _____, THE WORLD WOULD BE… OR
ALTHOUGH IT MAY BE DIFFICULT TO _____, IT IS NECESSARY…
ADDITIONALLY, FURTHERMORE, SIMILARLY

7. Reminder: DO NOT WRITE OUTSIDE THE BOX and DO NOT ADD A TITLE
Drafting
Puke out a rough draft (DON’T GO
STRAIGHT TO THE FINAL COPY)
Revise it until it doesn’t resemble vomit, and it looks like a well-written, polished, sophisticated, rock star essay!
Reminder: DO NOT WRITE OUTSIDE THE BOX and DO NOT ADD A TITLE
Does my thesis answer the question posed in the prompt?
Do my concrete details support my thesis?
Are my CDs strong?
Did I explain each CD enough?
Do I have transitions?
Is my CS repetitive?
Did I revise and edit?

8. Final draft now or later?
If you feel confident about your essay, transfer it to your answer document and move on!
If you are still iffy about your essay, move on from your draft and work on the revising/editing section of the test.
Come back to your essay and make more revisions.
You may also want to wait to write your final copy until you’ve finished the reading section. Sometimes you can get a concrete detail from the reading passages provided!
Whatever you decide, ALWAYS be aware of time!

9. Revising & Editing
Read ALL passages and use strategies to narrow down answer choices.
Use a dictionary when needed.

10. If a question asks about a certain line or section, highlight it
If a question asks about a certain line or section, highlight it! -highlight a line or place a highlighted bracket around the section.
*If you’re online testing, use the tools available to you! They are extremely helpful!

11. Remember those comma rules!
1. (Use a comma and a FANBOY to join two sentences together.
Sheila likes to dance, and she also likes to sing.
2. Use a comma to block off introductory clauses.
If you believe in yourself , you’ll do great on the test.
3. Use a set of commas to block off extra information in a sentence that isn’t absolutely necessary.
My English teacher, Mrs. Witcherson, won’t let us use the restroom during her presentation.
4. Use a semicolon to join two sentences that are closely related in meaning.
Sheila likes to dance; she also likes to sing.
Sheila likes to dance ; however, she also likes to sing.

12. Reading Examine the title Annotate, annotate, annotate!
Define difficult terms
Write notes in the margins to guide comprehension
Read ALL answer choices before making a decision.
Use the strategies to narrow your answers
ALWAYS search for evidence

13. The dictionary is your friend.
Look up words in the dictionary to ensure your answer is correct.
What do you do when you don’t understand the definition?
Check to see if there are synonyms (they are in blue).
Look up a word in the definition for more clarification.
Don’t be lazy in your pursuit of knowledge. The dictionary can help you find the right answer.

14. General Test Taking Strategies
Don’t spend too much time on any ONE question. Answer the ones you know, circle the ones you don’t, and return to them later.
Go back to the text for evidence that you have answered the question correctly.
Use context clues
Do NOT guess (FIND EVIDENCE AND USE REASON/LOGIC.
Do not rush, but be aware of the time. NO ONE should race to finish the test—you won’t be dismissed from the testing site until the afternoon, so use all of your available time to work hard.

15. General Test Taking Strategies (Cont.)
Take a break when you need one, but stay focused and try not to sleep!
Bubble neatly and erase any stray marks as you go
Don’t wait to bubble until the end! You’ll risk running out of time or making a mistake.
Make sure your handwriting is legible (if they can’t read it—they can’t grade it!)
Remember: they are little old ladies in Austin, with very thick glasses.

16. What can I ask the test administrator?
You may ask for:
Help understanding the directions.
Supplies (extra pencil, supplies, highlighter, English/Spanish dictionary)
Restroom pass
You may NOT ask for:
Help understanding the writing prompt.
Help understanding the content of the test (writing prompt, reading passages, dictionary definitions, whether or not your thesis is strong/weak, etc.)
Lunch time (Is it lunch time yet? What’s for lunch?)

17. Reminders Bring your ID
If you decide to bring your phone or smart watch, you MUST check it in with your test administrator. Cell phones and smart watches may not be on your body or anywhere near you regardless of whether they are switched off.
Almost everyone will eat in the testing room. If you don’t want cafeteria food, please bring your lunch. Take it out of your backpack BEFORE testing begins.
Bring something to snack on (peppermints, candy, pretzels, etc.)

18. Reminders Go to bed early
Eat a good breakfast (FYI: sugary breakfasts don’t last long)
Don’t have a huge beverage before testing, duh!
Get to school early
Know where to go

19. EOC Review Materials Expository Essay Foldable SMS and MUG Shots
Comma and semicolon rules
Old Essays- review what you did right/wrong