1. ELA CAHSEE Preparation
We will work together and you will
ANNIHILATE that test!

2. Bart Simpson Promises….

3. What should you know about the English Language Arts section of the CAHSEE?

4. What Exactly is on the CAHSEE?
Approximately 72 multiple choice questions about reading and writing strategies
One essay response question
The nitty-gritty: You have to be correct on a little more than half of the questions (including a passing essay score) in order to pass. You a have to have about a 70% to be marked “Proficient” on the test.

5. Reading on the CAHSEE 7 Vocabulary Questions
18 Reading Comprehension Questions (read a passage and answer questions)
20 Literary Response Questions
(read literature and answer questions)

6. Literary Response and Analysis
20 Multiple Choice Questions
These types of texts include
Poetry
Plays
Fiction
Essays
The Literary Response and Analysis section of the CAHSEE asks you to read literature and answer questions about it.

7. There are three strands:
CAHSEE Writing
27 Multiple-Choice writing questions total
1 Essay Questions
There are three strands:
Writing Strategies
Writing Conventions
Writing Applications

8. CAHSEE Writing Writing Strategies
12 test questions that ask you to find and correct errors and choose better words and phrases. They are based on a rough draft of an essay or article. .
In this section, you do not have to write any essays, but you have to answer multiple choice questions about editing and revising essays.
Questions may begin, “which sentence would best begin this essay” or “which of the following sentences do not fit well in the paragraph”

9. Writing Conventions 15 test questions that test your
understanding of grammar
and your knowledge in the
mechanics of punctuation
(e.g. semicolons, colons, ellipses, hyphens).
You will also have to identify and use clauses and understand sentence construction (parallel structure, proper placement of modifiers, etc.).

10. Biographical Narrative Response to Literature
CAHSEE Writing
Writing Application
On the writing portion of the
CAHSEE exam, you will be given a
“Writing Task” which is one essay question.
You may be asked to do one of the following:
Biographical Narrative
Response to Literature
Expository Essay
Persuasive Essay
Business Letter

11. Biographical Narrative
Tells the story from the life of a real person.
Often, this type of CAHSEE essay question will ask you to write about someone who is important in your life.

12. Biographical Narrative Sample Prompt
Family stories play an important role in helping us understand our past. Think about a person in your family and a story you’ve heard about them. Try to focus on a turning point in that person’s life
Write a biographical narrative in which you describe the turning point in your family member’s life. Be descriptive. Choose a specific moment in time and describe it in detail for the reader. Be sure to explain why it was important for your family member and how it changed that person’s life

13. Response to Literature
You read a (literature) text and are asked to respond (write an essay) based on a question regarding that passage.
This type of question asks that you first comprehend the text, then write about it.

14. Expository Essay
Expository essays (also called compositions) are most often nonfiction, meaning that it deals with real people, things, events and places.
The question may ask you to write about an important moment in history or technology, or a question about school.

15. A persuasive essay (or composition) asks you to
defend a position or argue for your side of an issue about which people disagree.
A sample question may ask you to write an essay for your school paper in which you convince the readers of the importance of volunteer hours as a graduation requirement or a convincing essay about whether or not there should be art and music in school.
The readers want you to think about the other side of the argument and keep that in mind as you defend your ideas

16. Business Letter
A Business Letter is a formal correspondence about a business related matter.
When you’re writing a business letter, your purpose may be
to apply for a job
to complain
to request information

17. Business Letter Requirements
Parts: I. Heading: Your address & the date II. Inside Address: The reader’s name (spelled correctly) & address for example: Mr. Tom Key, Counselor Independence High School 1776 Educational Park Drive San Jose CA III. Salutation: (Notice the colon)
Dear Sir or Madam:
IV. Body: Purpose of the letter Usually 3 SHORT paragraphs
V. Introduction: State your name and purpose (WHY) VI. Body: Explain what you want (WHAT) VII. Conclusion: Thank you & Contact Info/Number
VIII. Complimentary closing: Sincerely, Yours truly, Yours sincerely, IX. Signature: Sign your letter personally, then type your name