NOTE: NJ HSPA IS NO LONGER ADMINISTERED. WE NOW USE PARCC ASSESSMENTS. Check out the TLC "PARCC Prep" page for more information. (I am keeping this page up just in case anyone finds something here of generic use.)
This section is devoted to writing tasks on the NJ HSPA (for grade 11): open-ended response, expository, and persuasive. For reading strategies, see READING.
See these links for more information: NJDOE Information Bulletin on HSPA Expository Writing https://www.measinc.com/nj/NJHSPA/Default.aspx NJ HSPA 2012 Writing Handbook (Thanks to Allison Miller for this link.) |
EXPOSITORY WRITING: This 30-minute writing task closely resembles the SAT Writing task, and it makes sense for you to prepare your students using similar strategies. Unfortunately, the NJDOE Website does not provide much useful or current information, but the NJ HSPA 2012 Writing Handbook should help. Check out the following links, too: SAT Essay Prompts @College Board SAT Essay Tips @Major Tests.com SAT Essay Prompts @Major Tests.com NOTE: This task, like the Persuasive Writing Task, is scored with the NJ HSPA Writing Rubric. |
OPEN-ENDED RESPONSE WRITING: Let's face it. The State's rubric for scoring open-ended responses is VAGUE. What does "clearly demonstrates understanding of the task" really mean??? In order to help schools that I work with, I analyzed the State-released scored exemplars and determined what students need to do SPECIFICALLY to excel on their responses. Then I created a user-friendly Open-ended Response Rubric. The schools I work with have found it very helpful. I hope you will, too. Here are some strategies for success on open-ended responses:
Also, check out my TLC Blog, which explains how to approach open-ended responses in more depth: "Open-Ended Response Care Package." I have also added a new OPEN-ENDED RESPONSE WRITING page! IN THE DOWNLOAD ZONE for NJ HSPA Open-ended Responses:
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PERSUASIVE WRITING: You will want to tackle the Persuasive Writing Task from several different angles.
Additional resources: IN THE DOWNLOAD ZONE for NJ HSPA Persuasive Writing: |
SUMMARY OF DOCUMENTS IN THE DOWNLOAD ZONE for NJ HSPA Prep:
- NJ HSPA 2005 Criterion-Based Holistic Scoring Writing Handbook
- HSPA Persuasive Writing Task Organizer
- Persuasive Writing Techniques
- Socratic Seminar Observation Checklist
- Socratic Seminar Questions on Persuasive Texts
- Socratic Seminar Rubric
- Open-ended Response Writing Rubric
- Punchy Insights Poster
- NJ HSPA Writing Rubric