1. Benchmark Review

2. Organizing an essay Step 1: Pick about the prompt. Figure out what it is asking you to explain. Step 2: Take a stance on the topic and come up with several reasons why you feel the way you do. Step 3: Select one or two reasons from your list and formulate a thesis statement. Step 4: Plan out your essay. Use the SLACH star to come up with examples, or draw from your own experiences. Be sure to have one or two really good examples. Step 5: Begin drafting your essay.

3. Introduction Hook Bridge Thesis statement Body Topic sentence Example Elaborate Tie it to the prompt Conclusion Restate the thesis Leave the reader with a thought

4. Sample prompt: Write an essay explaining why it is important to be responsible. List of reasons: List of examples:

5. Introduction: She was sixteen years old… There are many teenagers who… It is important to be responsible because every action has a consequence. Body: Much of what we do in every day life involves some level of responsibility... When two people make the decision not to protect themselves… On MTV’s hit reality TV show, …. Elaborate more on the example… Aside from teen pregnancy, it is also important to be responsible when driving a vehicle… Just last week, on the news, there was a story about a bus driver who fell asleep at the wheel due to drugs…

6. Conclusion: If a person goes through life thinking he/she is invincible, reality will, no doubt …. Life is not always predictable, but it is important to prevent the things that can be controlled… To know no responsibility is to…

7. A thesis statement states the topic, gives the position, and provides reasons why. Prompt: Write an essay explaining why education is important. Weak: Education is important because people need to be educated. Strong: Education is crucial because it allows people to get higher paying jobs and become contributing members of society.

8. Examples: Weak: Eating fast food is bad and should be avoided. Strong: Americans should eliminate regular consumption of fast food because it leads to preventable and expensive health issues, such as diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.

9. Cont. Weak: There are high numbers of homeless people living in Berkeley, California. Strong: Homeless people in Berkeley should be given access to services, such as regular food donations, public restrooms, and camping facilities, because it would improve life for all inhabitants of the city.

10. Cont. Weak: Humans should relocate to Mars. You try making it stronger!

11. Strong: It is too late to save earth; therefore, humans should immediately set a date for their relocation to Mars where, with proper planning, they can avoid issues of famine, war, and global warming.

12. A. C. E. The open ended response section! “C”EA Restate the question in your answer. Read and re-read the question to ensure you are answering it! Find a quote in the passage that SUPPORTS your answer. Be sure to introduce the quote. Do not plop it in! Explain Extend Expand your answer!

13. Question: Why is it important to take the English I benchmark seriously? It is important to take the English I benchmark seriously, so that I do not have to put in extra time before/after school. As Ms. Villarreal was teaching, she said, “If you do not do well on this benchmark, you will be issued mandatory EOC tutorials twice a week!” My free time is far too important to be spent at school; therefore, I must put forth my best effort succeed.