CAHSEE: The Writing Task
The Essay Overview
LAW, BUSINESS &
GOVERNMENT ACADEMY
CAHSEE PREPARATION
STRATEGY TO PASS: Essay
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
PROMPT will be 1 of 5 types
Do NOT Rush to Finish – Take Your Time
Worth 18 of the 90 Points on the test or 20%
FOLLOW THE PROMPT – Create a Do/What? Chart
and PLAN YOUR ESSAY
WRITE IN ENGLISH!
WRITE NEATLY! PROOFREAD your work!
WRITE an INTRODUCTION, BODY, CONCLUSION in
Paragraphs and Complete Sentences
USE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES that support your
statements – and that ANSWER THE PROMPT!
STRATGEGY TO PASS: ESSAY
• 4.5 Points = 1 - Write something that
addresses the prompt
• 9 Points = 2 - Write a basic introduction
body - conclusion
• 13.5 Points = 3 – Write basic + specific
examples that are clear and concise
• 18 Points = 4 - Write a well developed
essay with specific examples, that you’ve
proofread (USE THE EXTRA TIME TO DO
THIS!!)
Honor the Prompt
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Read the Essay Prompt Carefully
Circle the Verbs and number them
Create a Do/What Chart
ORGANIZE YOUR ESSAY - (Introduction, Body,
Conclusion) Plan what you are going to say (then check
and make sure you’ve said it)
Use the language of the Prompt
Write neatly and legibly
Proofread your work
In the Extra Time – re-read the prompt and make sure
you’ve answered it.
Relax – be Clear and Specific – but it’s a 1st Draft
Essay: Plan Your Answer
• Write a short outline
– Introduction: Your thesis statement (use the language
of the prompt to introduce it)
• HOOK (story, anecdote, rhetorical question)
– Body: USE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES that support your
thesis and statements that ANSWER THE PROMPT
• EVIDENCE: Use several paragraphs to organize your
examples
• TOPIC SENTENCES: Begin each paragraph with a topic
sentence
– Conclusion: A phrase or two that summarizes or
concludes your answer
• Summarize your answer or add a closing thought that relates
your argument
Writing Assignment: Essay
• 1 of 5 types
• Persuasion (Business Letter)
• Expository: Presents information or explains something
(most of class essays)
– Tell stories (use personal experiences)
– Use sensory concrete details (how things look, sound, smell, feel
to make your descriptions realistic) Make a movie in your head
and write it down.
– Use specific examples to demonstrate your point
– Remember to support your thesis (your main point) and make
sure that the reader will understand how each example relates
and supports your thesis.
• Literary Response,
• Understand the Assignment (the Question you MUST
answer)
Essay: Biographical Narrative
• Identify a person and give details about his
or her life in order to support a main point
• These essays ask you to write about a
person
• Use FACTUAL EVIDENCE (not broad
generalizations)
• Use SPECIFIC EXAMPLES
• Write with conviction – state your point
and then support it with examples
Biographical Narrative
Throughout your years in school, you have studied
about many different people. Think about one of
those people you’ve studied during your time in
school. What makes this person special enough
to study?
Write an essay in which you discuss a person you
have studied in school Explain what is special
about this person. Use details and examples to
support your ideas.
Biographical Narrative:
Do?
What?
1. Write
1. an Essay
2. Discuss
2. A person you’ve
studied in school
3. Explain
3. What is special
about this person
4. Details and
examples to support
your ideas
4. Use
Outline Your Answer
• Introduction: Use the prompt language
• “Throughout my years at school, I have
studied about many different people.
Some of these people have been very
special, but the most important person I’ve
studied about is ____________.
• Why? [Give examples]
Persuasive Essay
• Requires you to persuade (or convince)
your reader about your opinion on an
issue
• An expository essay just explains the
issue by presenting information; the
persuasive essay requires you to
persuade your audience you are right
Persuasive Essay
• Strong clear thesis which states your point of
view
• State Your Reasons – include 2 or 3 separate
arguments that support your point (each one in a
separate paragraph)
• Stories (anecdotes) can be very persuasive [this
happened to me]
• Factual evidence adds credibility to an opinion
• Address your reader’s concerns: what is the
counter-argument? Why is your opinion better?