How to be
SUCCESSFUL On
the NHSPE
Writing Exam
The Basics of the Exam
 There
are two types of “prompts” or
questions that you will have to answer

A. Expository – This is ALL about yourselves!

B. Persuasive – Pick a side and defend your
position!!!!!!!!!!!
The Basics - Continued
 Time
– You have ALL day within the course
of the school day

(so, from 7:00 am to 1:25 pm)
Success Checklist
 My
essay/response will be successful if I:

follow the directions given in the writing
prompt

stay focused on the main ideas

organize my writing into paragraphs

use transitions to connect my ideas
 elaborate
by using reasons, well-chosen
and specific details, examples, and/or
anecdotes to support my ideas
 include
information and details that are
interesting, thoughtful, and necessary for
my audience to know
Follow This Format
 Your
job is to write two (2) responses that
answer two different questions
 Your
job is to fill your page, or come close
to it, with information
 Your
job is to write two 14-16 sentence
responses
Part 1 – Brainstorm/Model
 Read
and figure out what the question(s)
are asking!
 Outline/Word
Web/Brainstorm!!!!!!!
Organize your thoughts/ideas!!!!!!!
 Begin
writing using the following model:
Format for Responses

Introductory Paragraph:

Hook: makes the reader of the paper want to
continue reading. Can be a definition, phrase
or quote from a recognizable source, etc.

Thesis: the "back bone" of the paper. States a
position on a topic that can be proved in the
paper. Make sure the topic is narrow enough to
be upheld with facts in the following
paragraphs.
Body Pragraph

Topic Sentence: States the subject that will
be discussed in the paragraph. A more
detailed, narrower statement like the thesis.

Concrete Detail 1: Fact quoted or
paraphrased from the piece on which you
are writing. Cite the source if directly quoted.

Commentary 1: Comments on the
importance of the concrete detail.
 Commentary
2: Comments on the
statement in commentary 1.
 Concrete Detail 2: Fact quoted or
paraphrased from the piece on which
you are writing. Cite the source if directly
quoted.
 Commentary 1: Comments on the
importance of the concrete detail.
 Commentary
2: Comments on the
statement in commentary 1.
 Concrete Detail 3: Fact quoted or
paraphrased from the piece on which
you are writing. Cite the source if directly
quoted.
 Commentary 1: Comments on the
importance of the concrete detail.
 Commentary
2: Comments on the
statement in commentary 1.
 Concluding
Sentence: Wraps up the
thoughts of this paragraph. Directly
relates to the "Topic Sentence".
 Conclusion:
 Wraps
up the topic of the paper. Directly
relates to the thesis statement but does
not repeat it.
 DO NOT introduce any new facts in this
paragraph. This paragraph is solely used
to tie up the loose ends in the paper.
That’s It!!!!!!!
 Let’s
Practice!!!!!!!!!!!