TAKS Writing Assessment
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Write a personal narrative essay describing
the power of friendship.
Describe a time you felt betrayed by
someone.
Describe a time you betrayed someone.
Write a persona narrative essay about how an
object can remind you of a special person.
Etc.
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Focus and Comprehension
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Focused on ONE event
Every part is related to the prompt
Understandable
Meaningful intro and conclusion
Organization
◦ Paragraphs/Ideas flow logically (transitions)
◦ No needless repetition
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Development of Ideas
◦ Ideas are teased out
◦ No jumping around
◦ Relate events to the prompt
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Voice
◦ Engaging (interesting)
◦ Shows unique perspective
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Conventions
◦ Proofreading
◦ Spelling, punctuation, word choice, grammar,
capitalization
◦ Sentence structure
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A personal story
◦ Use of “I,” “me” and “my” is necessary
◦ Event driven
 Write about events, not just ideas/thoughts
◦ Story with a lesson
◦ Story Telling Elements
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Setting
Characters
Plot (beginning, middle, end)
Conflict!
If your story doesn’t have these, think of a different one!
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Outline your story
◦ Pick a story you want to write about
◦ Outline the major events
 Make sure it has a beginning, middle and end
◦ Fill in the details
 Only add details that are relevant and that move your
story forward
 Make sure that everything supports the point you’re
making
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Add dialogue
◦ Internal: Inner conversation
◦ External: Conversation with others
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Add figurative language
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Similes
Metaphor
Hyperbole
Personification
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Add sensory details
◦ Appeal to all five senses
 Sight, sound, touch, taste, smell
◦ Be specific
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Use vivid word choice
◦ Use ACTION verbs
 Avoid forms of “Be” (Am, is, are, was, were, being,
been)
 Verbs that describe specific actions:
◦ Use adjectives and adverbs
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Words that describe things and actions
She ate the ice cream.
Add an adverbs: She ate the ice cream sloppily.
Add adjectives: She ate the melting ice cream sloppily.
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Start with the story (1st paragraph)
Lead into the topic (1st paragraph)
Go back to the story (2nd paragraph and on)
Discuss the topic as you are telling me the
story
End with what you learned (last paragraph)
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TOPIC: Discuss how an object can remind a person
about a special relationship.
Recently, my grandmother Greta Heinrich passed
away. It has been an extremely hard time for my
family. We are constantly reminiscing about the
“good old times” with Oma as we called her.
Sometimes we just break down into hugs and tears.
It has been especially hard for my mother—she has
now lost both of her parents. Because both of my
grandparents have died, their estate must now be
divided among the members of the family. Some
members want the most expensive or beautiful
things Oma left behind. When it is my turn to
choose my memento of Oma, I will simply respond,
“I want the old Scrabble set.”
One might ask why I would want the Scrabble set.
At first glance, by an uneducated eye, it appears
less than promising. The box, at one time, was a
deep burgundy color. Now it is faded. The box
is extremely dilapidated. The corners look like
they are held together by a thread and a prayer.
Once I blow the dust off of the top and carefully
open the box, the board is not in much better
condition than the box that contains it. I am sure
there are missing tiles. Why, then, would I want
something that is not worth much money, even
to a collector? For someone who does not
understand the special bond between my
grandmother and me, it would be impossible to
fully comprehend my choice.
While I was a little kid growing up, I spent
much of my free time at my Oma’s house.
She and I would watch television, read, bake
cookies, go out to eat, and play board games.
My most vibrant memories are those of
playing Scrabble with my Oma. She and I
would play the game for hours. Building
words off of words, scoring double and triple
points, Oma was excellent at the game. I
believe I only beat her once. Through playing
Scrabble, my grandmother instilled a love of
words within me. We also grew close in our
bond. This was our special game and our
special time. She became my best friend.
Now that she is gone, I miss my Oma terribly.
There is a hole in my life where she is
supposed to be. Although I feel like that
special bond is still between us, I can no
longer decide to laugh over a game of
Scrabble with her. All I have left are the
memories that I hold close. The Scrabble box
reminds me of all the great times we spent
together. Maybe, one day, when I have
“passed on,” I will be able to see my
grandmother and say, “Hey, Oma, how about
a game of Scrabble?” Until then, I will hold
the Scrabble box and remember my
grandmother fondly.