HSPA Language Arts
The HSPA is an exam
administered statewide in
March to high school juniors.
It is designed to test our
students’ proficiencies in
Mathematics and Language
Arts. A passing score of 200 in
each section is necessary for
graduation.
The Language Arts Literacy
(LAL) Section of the HSPA is
divided into two cluster
areas.
Each of these clusters
reflects knowledge and
skills specified in New
Jersey’s Core Curriculum
Content Standards.
I. Writing
Writing in response to a Photograph
Time: 30 minutes
Task: Students will view a
photograph and will be asked to
describe what is happening or
speculate concerning what the
story is about.
POSSIBLE PICTURE PROMPT
What story does this picture tell?
???Can your imagination reach its full
potential on this picture???
1. Speculate means “to guess.” Use your imagination and
experiences to tell a story or describe what is happening.
2. Organize essay into a three-paragraph story: a beginning,
middle and end or a before, during and after.
3. Write about mood, people, objects, events, messages revealed
using precise words.
4. Try to relate the picture to any story, novel, television show, or
movie you have seen.
5. Revise and edit your story using the Writer’s Checklist.
6. Use dialogue within your story and end with a theme!
7. Never begin with, ‘In this Picture’ or ‘This picture is about.’
B. Writing to Persuade
Time: 60 minutes
Task: Students will write in response to a
current controversy related to an
interpersonal, school/community, or
societal issue.
This piece of writing may be required to be
in the form of a letter, a formal essay, an
editorial, or a speech.
Practice Essay Topic
The Parsippany High School School Board is
thinking about requiring all students to wear school
uniforms. This new policy will begin in the fall of
2005. Your Social Studies teacher has asked you to
write an essay either supporting or opposing this
proposal. Make sure to use facts, and examples.
“BUILDING” YOUR ESSAY
Brainstorm ideas and
examples for your essay
PROS- for school uniforms
-saves time getting ready in the
morning
- eliminates inappropriate &
revealing clothes
- prevents gang symbols
- makes everyone equal;
eliminates kids being picked on
- gives them a sense of pride;
makes them responsible
- makes students recognizable
CONS- against uniforms
- stops kids from expressing
themselves
- costs money to buy uniforms
- uniforms are uncomfortable
- in the real world, people don’t
all dress the same
NOW, CHOOSE THE STRONGER
SIDE OF THE Argument BASED
ON THE PROS AND CONS THAT
YOU GENERATED.
THEN, CHOOSE THE THREE BEST
EXAMPLES. EACH EXAMPLE WILL
BE A BODY PARAGRAPH FOR
YOUR ESSAY.
NOW, YOU ARE READY TO PLAN
YOUR ESSAY
PLANNING AND ORGANIZING YOUR ESSAY
CONCLUSION
1. Rephrase thesis
2. Review three examples
Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
(average one)
(weakest one)
(best one!)
Topic sentence
Topic sentence
Topic sentence
Support details
Support details
Support details
3 BODY PARAGRAPHS
INTRODUCTION
State thesis and preview three main examples
HERE IS A SAMPLE
PLANNING HOUSE BASED
ON THE USE OF SCHOOL
UNIFORMS
CONCLUSION
2. Review three body paragraphs
1. Uniforms will improve our school in many ways
“Okay” Example
Reduce
inappropriate
clothes
Weakest Example
Create a sense
of pride in
students
Best Example
Eliminate
students being
picked on
3 BODY PARAGRAPHS
1. Thesis: School uniforms are a good way to help
PHS. 2. Preview: eliminate inappropriate clothes,
reduce student mockery, create a sense of pride
Your Thesis states the main point of your paper.
It lets the reader know what point you are trying
to make.
School uniforms are a good way to help PHS.
By requiring school uniforms, PHS will improve the entire school.
PHS should require all of its students to wear uniforms.
The use of mandatory uniforms will make PHS a better place.
PREVIEWING YOUR THREE
MAIN POINTS
1. Reduce
inappropriate clothes
2. Create a sense of pride
3. Eliminate students
in students
being picked on
The use of school uniforms will reduce the amount
of inappropriate clothes in the school, create a sense of
pride in the building, and eliminate students being picked
on for their clothes. (In one sentence)
School uniforms will reduce the amount of
inappropriate clothes. It will also create a sense of pride
in the building. Last, the number of students being
picked on for their clothes will be lower. (In three, separate
sentences)
THE “ROOMS” OF YOUR HOUSE
START EACH BODY PARAGRAPH WITH A
TOPIC SENTENCE
School uniforms will reduce the amount of
inappropriate clothes that students wear.
(Now, take 4-5 sentences to explain how uniforms
will get rid of inappropriate clothes…..)
By requiring that all student wear uniforms, the
school can control what is worn in the building.
Uniforms will eliminate shirts with references to drugs
and alcohol. Clothes with abusive or foul language
will also be prevented. In addition, they will also make
sure that revealing clothes are no longer worn.
NOW, PUT YOUR TOPIC SENTENCE AND
YOUR 4-5 SENTENCES OF EXPLANATION
TOGETHER AND YOU HAVE A…..
School uniforms will reduce the amount of
inappropriate clothes that students wear. By requiring that
all student wear uniforms, the school can control what is
worn in the building. Uniforms will eliminate shirts with
references to drugs and alcohol. Clothes with abusive or
foul language will also be prevented. In addition, they
will also make sure that revealing clothes are no longer
worn.
Not bad. But how can you improve this paragraph?
Try a….
School uniforms will reduce the amount of
inappropriate clothes that students wear. By requiring that
all student wear uniforms, the school can control what is
worn in the building. Uniforms will eliminate shirts with
references to drugs and alcohol. Clothes with abusive or
foul language will also be prevented. In addition, they
will also make sure that revealing clothes are no longer
worn. In the end, uniforms will make sure that all of the
clothes being worn are appropriate for school.
“PUTTING ON THE ROOF!”
STEP ONE: REPHRASE YOUR THESIS
School uniforms are a good way to help PHS.
becomes….
The use of mandatory uniforms will make PHS a better place.
STEP TWO: REVIEW YOUR 3 MAIN POINTS
School uniforms will reduce the amount of
inappropriate clothes. It will also create a sense of pride
in the building. Last, the amount of students being
picked on for their clothes will be lower.
Rephrase into new sentences:
In conclusion, school uniforms will discourage
inappropriate clothes and make students proud of their
school. They will also remove the outside differences
between students so they can get along better.
A. Reading/Narrative Text
Time: 50 minutes
Task: Students will read a
previously published narrative
story and answer 10 multiplechoice questions and 2 openended questions.
B. Reading/Persuasive Text
Time: 45 minutes
Task: Students will read a
persuasive piece from a previously
published text. They will then
answer 10 multiple choice and 2
open-ended questions.
Answering Language Arts Literacy Multiple
Choice Questions
1. Each question is worth one point.
2. You are not penalized for guessing. Do not leave an
answer blank.
3. Try to eliminate incorrect choices to help select the
best answer.
Answering Reading Open-ended Questions (3 paragraphs)
1. Reword the question to create your topic sentence. This
helps you to focus and lets the scorer know what you are
writing about.
2. Make sure to write 4-6 sentences in each paragraph
including supporting sentences from the two bullets.
3. Close your open-ended response with a concluding
sentence similar to your topic sentence.
4. Use information and examples from the text.
5. Even if you can’t answer completely, make an attempt.
6. These questions are scored from 0-4 points. Therefore, a partial
answer can earn you some points.