Review of the STAAR
Writing Test
Reminders:
This should be your best work!
Everything counts – the multiple choice responses, both
compositions, spelling, punctuation & handwriting.
STAAR Writing
Day 1
Day 2
4 hours
4 hours
The test will have 2 parts:
The test will have 2 parts:
• Written composition (either
narrative or expository)
• Revising/editing – there will be
around 15 multiple choice
questions (may be all revising,
all editing or a combination of
both)
• Written composition (either
narrative or expositorywhichever you did not do
yesterday)
• Revising/editing – there will be
around 15 multiple choice
questions (may be all revising,
all editing, or a combination of
both)
The instructions will tell you to do
the test sections in any order. We
want you to do the
revising/editing section first!
The instructions will tell you to do
the test sections in any order. We
want you to do the
revising/editing section first!
Composition and Multiple
Choice
Your teacher will read the instructions for both the
composition and revising/editing sections of the
test before you start testing. The composition is
the first section in the test booklet, and the
revising/editing section is last. The instructions
say you can do the test in any order you want.
Your teachers would like you to do the
revising/editing section first, and then go back
and complete the composition.
**Remember-ask your teacher to read the prompt to you**
Revise/Edit Multiple Choice
30-45 minutes
Read the instructions and introduction for the passage.
As you read, look for mistakes in spelling, punctuation, word usage,
sentences that don’t belong, and sentences that could be combined.
Go to the questions. Read each question. Underline the sentence
you are going to be revising or editing.
If you are being asked to add sentences or words/phrases, you will
probably need to read the entire paragraph to determine what change
should be made.
Read each answer choice carefully. Make sure you refer back to the
sentence in the passage before choosing your answer.
When you have decided on your answer, carefully mark it on the
answer document. Make sure to completely bubble in your answer
with a neat, dark mark.
Remember: “Make no change” or “No revision needed” means that it
is best to leave the sentence the way it is written in the passage.
Write a composition about the topic you are
given.
When you are ready to start the composition, ask your
teacher to read the prompt page to you.
Make sure you pay attention to whether you are writing a
narrative or an expository piece (we don’t know which
day they will be on!)
Do all of your prewriting and drafting on any of the white
pages in the packet. You can also ask for extra notebook
paper to plan and draft on. You may also use as many
sticky notes as needed.
The final copy should be close to 1 page long. It cannot
be more than 1 page. All of your writing, including a title if
you have one, must be inside the box. Do NOT skip
lines- Indent for each new paragraph.
Write the final copy on the lined pages.
Remember: This should be your best writing! Take your
time, and do your best work!!
Prewriting/Planning: Time to Think
10-15 minutes
Narrative
Expository
Your narrative should tell a STORY.
Your expository should EXPLAIN.
Choose a prewriting tool/strategy:
Make a list of possible topics.
Create a chart (using details)
BME outline
Plan it out – DO NOT WRITE
ABOUT THE ENTIRE DAY! (A
piece of the pie?)
REMEMBER:
 DADS QT Lead
 EXPLODE 1 Moment
 4 Part Conclusion
Planning will help your organization
and focus!!
Choose a prewriting tool/strategy:
Make a list of possible topics.
Think about your 2-3 reasons
and organizing in paragraphs
Plan it out – make sure your
idea is for an expository
composition.
REMEMBER:
 Clear Central Idea
 2-3 Strong reasons supported
with details and mini-stories
Planning will help your organization
and focus!!
Drafting: Time to Write it Down
30 - 45 minutes
Draft on Notebook paper
Narrative
Leads (5 minutes)
Create at least 2-3 DADS QT
Leads.
Pick the one you like the
best.
Quick Write the rough draft.(20-30
minutes)
STAY FOCUSED- Explode
the MOMENT
What did you see, hear, feel,
etc? Think about your
senses as you write.
Pretend this is just like a
quick write – write nonstop
just to get your ideas down!
(write in depth)
Conclusions (5 minutes)
Create an ending using at
least 2-4 parts
Don’t write: “The end,”
write a conclusion!
Expository
Central Idea (5 minutes)
• Make sure your central idea is
clear in your introductionShow don’t‘ Tell
Quick Write the rough draft.(20-30
minutes)
STAY FOCUSED – What are
you explaining?
Use mini-stories to support
your reasons
Pretend this is just like a quick
write – write nonstop just to
get your ideas down! (write in
depth)
Conclusions (5 minutes)
Summarize your reasons to
wrap up.
Don’t tell your reader: “That’s
why….”
Revising:
30-45 minutes
Narrative
Did you write in enough depth
to give it the length it needs?
Did you explode the moment?
 Snapshots &
Thoughtshots?
 Describe how you felt, what
you saw, what you
thought?
 Write in SLOWMOTION?
 Prove-its? Maybe it
is…maybe it isn’t?
Double check for a DADS QT
lead that hooks your reader.
Make sure your 2-4 part
conclusion “Wraps up” your
story.
Make sure you wrote a
STORY!!
Expository
Did you write in enough depth
to give it the length it needs?
Did you create and introduction
with a clear central idea?
Did you include reasons to
support your central idea?
Are your reasons
separated in to paragraphs
to help your organization?
Do you have mini-stories to
help support/explain your
reasons?
Did you include other author
techniques? (especially in ministories)
Prove Its – maybe it is,
maybe isn’t…
Snapshots and
Thoughtshots
Make sure you are
EXPLAINING something!
Revising: Time to Improve My Writing
30-45 minutes
Did you reread your draft for complete sentences?
Make sure all sentences have nouns doing actions.
(subjects/predicates) NO fragments!
Fill in any words you left out. THIS IS A BIGGY!
Did you include all types of sentences?
Statements ending with periods.
Emotions ending with exclamations.
Questions ending with questions marks.
Do all of your sentences begin differently?
Start some sentences with prepositions or prepositional
phrases – not FANBOYS!
Combine some sentences using conjunctions.
(FANBOYS-especially and, but, or)
Remember: Your final composition needs to be about 1 page, but it cannot
be longer than 1 page!!
Final Copy: Time to Finish My Writing
20 minutes
Write on the lined pages.
DON’T SKIP LINES ON THE final copy!
If you have a title, write it on the top line – DON’T
WRITE OUTSIDE THE BOX!
TAKE YOUR TIME!
Include all revisions!
Snapshots, thoughtshots, etc.
Author techniques
Paragraphs
Use your best handwriting!
Remember: Your final composition needs to be about 1 page, but it cannot
be longer than 1 page!!
Editing: Time to Make Things Correct
20 minutes
DON’T TURN IN THE ANSWER DOCUMENT
UNTIL YOU HAVE DONE THE FOLLOWING…
Use your knowledge about the rules of English!
When checking for spelling, start at the end
and go to the beginning; touch every word.
Make sure there is a distinction between upper and
lower case letters. Check all of your punctuation;
commas, apostrophes, quotations, and ending marks.
Read your composition aloud to yourself – IN A
WHISPER – don’t leave words out. Is all of your
grammar correct?
Things to do to prepare:
Review this testing process.
Eat a healthy dinner.
Go to bed on time!
EAT A HEALTHY BREAKFAST!
Don’t forget your water bottle.
Remember, this is only a test of what you
know – not what you don’t know!
As long as you do what you’re supposed to
do and give it your best, that is all that
matters!
Parent Signature:_____________________