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 PhotographTime: 30 minutesTask: Students will view a photograph and will be asked to describe what is happening or speculate concerning what thestory is about.

B. Writing to Persuade

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.

Time: 60 minutes

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 CONS- against uniforms

-saves time getting ready in the morning

- stops kids from expressing themselves

- in the real world, people don’t all dress the same

- uniforms are uncomfortable

- costs money to buy uniforms

- makes students recognizable

- gives them a sense of pride; makes them responsible

- makes everyone equal; eliminates kids being picked on

- prevents gang symbols

- eliminates inappropriate & revealing clothes

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

INTRODUCTIONState thesis and preview three main examples

3 BODY PARAGRAPHS

Example 1 Example 2 Example 3

Topic sentence

Support details

Topic sentence

Support details

Topic sentence

Support details

CONCLUSION1. Rephrase thesis

2. Review three examples

(average one) (weakest one)

(best one!)

HERE IS A SAMPLE PLANNING HOUSE BASED ON THE USE OF

SCHOOL UNIFORMS

3 BODY PARAGRAPHS

“Okay” Example Weakest Example Best ExampleReduce inappropriate clothes

Create a sense of pride in students

Eliminate students being picked on

CONCLUSION2. Review three body paragraphs

1. Uniforms will improve our school in many ways

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 in students

3. Eliminate 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 SENTENCESchool 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.

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.

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. In the end, uniforms will make sure that all of the clothes being worn are appropriate for school.

Not bad. But how can you improve this paragraph?

Try a….

“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.

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.

Rephrase into new sentences:

 A. Reading/Narrative TextTime: 50 minutesTask: Students will read a previously published narrative story and answer 10 multiple- choice questions and 2 open-ended questions. 

B. Reading/Persuasive TextTime: 45 minutesTask: Students will read a persuasive piece from a previously published text. They will then answer 10 multiple choice and 2 open-ended questions.

 1. Each question is worth one point.

 

Answering Language Arts Literacy Multiple Choice Questions

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.

1. Reword the question to create your topic sentence. This helps you to focus and lets the scorer know what you are writing about.

Answering Reading Open-ended Questions (3 paragraphs)

6. These questions are scored from 0-4 points. Therefore, a partial answer can earn you some points.

5. Even if you can’t answer completely, make an attempt.

4. Use information and examples from the text.

3. Close your open-ended response with a concluding sentence similar to your topic sentence.

2. Make sure to write 4-6 sentences in each paragraph including supporting sentences from the two bullets.