1. STAAR “It’s crunch time” Expository writing: 1.You must have a thesis. A thesis has two parts, a position and one to two reasons. 2.Structure should be four paragraphs – your 2 body paragraphs are your concrete examples 3.Concrete examples: who? What? When? Where? And either why or how it connects back to the prompt. 4.Tie each paragraph back to prompt and connect your examples together. What do your two examples have in common? 5.You should have 8-10 transitions. Do not use “you” try to eliminate as many “be” verbs as possible. 6.Complete a rough draft and ratiocinate it! 7.Find synonyms of overused words. USE YOUR THESAURUS!!!!

2. SAQ: it is just an analytical paragraph 1.Read the question and locate text. 2.The first step is to answer the question in your own words simply and directly. Next important step is to find two direct quotes from the text that directly support your answer and embed them in your own writing. The final step is to use your own words to explain how the direct text quotes support your answer and tie back to the question. 3. Think of the Tim Burton paragraphs you wrote. 4. EMBED your quotes, no orphans. 5. No “YOU” or any second person. 6. Do not begin with “I think/believe”

3. SAQ sample: Hemingway uses personification to explain that Santiago thinks “of the sea as la mar which is what people call her in Spanish when they love her.” He is referring to the sea as a woman and he takes her side by not blaming her for the “wild or wicked things.” So he is defending the sea as if she had life, just like a man would do for a woman.

4. Sample 2: In Richard Connell’s short story “The Most Dangerous Game”, Rainsford experiences a significant internal transformation when he learns to empathize with the fear of hunted animals. Before arriving at Ship Trap Island, Rainsford does not believe hunted animals have any awareness, “Bah! They’ve no understanding.” But after being hunted by Zaroff his perspective shifts, “Rainsford knew now how an animal at bay feels.” After his stay on this eerie island, Rainsford directly realizes That the hunted do indeed experience a keen and comprehending terror.

5. Crossover sample: One similarity between the narrator and Curtis is that they were both helped by their loved one in an hour of need to finally attain success whether it be in the form of career or triumph over emotional turmoil. Curtis “would be the first [to admit] that without [Kaysandra’s support] his dream [would never have been realized]”. Despite the years that have gone by, even when the narrator’s parents thought the story was getting old, “Kevin just ignored them. [Instead], his face wouldn’t change, and…his voice only got softer” indicating that Kevin was there for the narrator regardless of what other people thought.

6. Other details:  1. edit, proofread, and triple check your work. This is a serious and long test. Silly mistakes may cost you.  2. Use your dictionary. It is there for a reason.  3. Pack good snacks and at least 2 water bottles.  4. bring 3-4 pencils and an eraser.  5. Get some sleep on Sunday. Don’t be foolish and stay up late.  6. Eat a good breakfast.  7. dress comfortably