STAAR Writing Skills Review

Persuasive writing is a type of writing that aims to convince the reader to agree with the writer's opinion. Provide an example of a persuasive writing technique.

• Neutral tone

• Rhyming words

• Passive voice

• Emotional language

Expository writing is a type of writing that explains, informs, or describes. Give an example of an expository writing prompt.

• Describe the plot of your favorite movie.

• Explain the concept of gravity and its effects on the universe.

• Inform the reader about the history of the internet.

• An example of an expository writing prompt could be: 'Explain the process of photosynthesis and its importance in the ecosystem.'

Narrative writing is a type of writing that tells a story. What are the key elements of a narrative writing?

• Index, glossary, and appendix

• Rhyme, meter, and stanza

• Thesis statement, supporting evidence, and conclusion

• Characters, setting, plot, conflict, and resolution

Identify the grammatical error in the following sentence: 'Their going to the store to buy some groceries.'

• They're going to the store to buy some groceries.

• Their going to the store to buy some grocery.

• They're going to the store to buy some grocery.

• They going to the store to buy some groceries.

How can a writer effectively organize their ideas in a piece of writing? Provide at least two strategies.

• By starting with an introduction and ending with a conclusion.

• By using overly complex and confusing language

• By not revising or editing the writing

• By creating an outline and using transition words and phrases.

Why is it important for writers to use evidence and support in their writing? Give an example of how evidence can strengthen a persuasive argument.

• Using evidence in writing is not important, as it can make the argument too complicated

• Evidence in writing is only necessary for academic papers, not for persuasive essays

• It is better for writers to rely on personal anecdotes rather than evidence to make their point

• For example, in a persuasive essay about the importance of exercise, the writer can use evidence such as scientific studies, statistics, and expert opinions to strengthen their argument and convince the audience of the benefits of regular physical activity.

Identify the main idea in the following paragraph: 'The benefits of regular exercise are numerous. It helps improve physical health, mental well-being, and overall quality of life.'

• The paragraph is about the benefits of eating healthy

• The main idea is the benefits of regular exercise.

• Regular exercise has no impact on physical or mental health

• The main idea is the benefits of irregular exercise

Think about the PURPOSE of a thesis statement in an essay. Then, choose which question provides a strong thesis statement.

• 'The increasing use of technology in education has the potential to improve student learning outcomes by providing personalized and interactive learning experiences.'

• The purpose of a thesis statement is to provide a list of topics that will be discussed in the essay.

• A strong thesis statement should be a question that the essay will answer.

• A thesis statement is used to summarize the entire essay in one sentence.

Explain the difference between a topic sentence and a supporting detail in a paragraph. Give an example of each.

• A topic sentence is usually longer than a supporting detail, while a supporting detail is typically shorter and more concise.

• A topic sentence is always the first sentence in a paragraph, while a supporting detail can be placed anywhere in the paragraph.

• Example of a topic sentence: The beach is my favorite place to relax and unwind. Example of a supporting detail: The sound of the waves crashing against the shore instantly calms my mind and helps me forget about my worries.

• A topic sentence is always written in bold or italics, while a supporting detail is written in regular font.