HSPA Language Arts

1
HSPA Language Arts

2
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.
3
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 Jerseys Core Curriculum Content
Standards.
4
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.
5
POSSIBLE PICTURE PROMPT
What story does this picture tell?
6
???Can your imagination reach its full potential
on this picture???
7
TIPS FOR THE PICTURE PROMPT
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
Writers Checklist.
6. Use dialogue within your story and end with a
theme!
7. Never begin with, In this Picture or This
picture is about.
8
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.
9
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.
10
BUILDING YOUR ESSAY
11
Brainstorm ideas and examples for your essay
12
PROS- for school uniforms
CONS- against uniforms

• saves time getting ready in the morning

• stops kids from expressing themselves

• eliminates inappropriate revealing clothes

• costs money to buy uniforms

• uniforms are uncomfortable

• prevents gang symbols

• in the real world, people dont all dress the
  same

• makes everyone equal eliminates kids being
  picked on

• gives them a sense of pride makes them
  responsible

• makes students recognizable

13
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
14
PLANNING AND ORGANIZING YOUR ESSAY
15
CONCLUSION
1. Rephrase thesis
2. Review three examples
Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
(average one)
(weakest one)
(best one!)
Topic sentence Support details
Topic sentence Support details
Topic sentence Support details
3 BODY PARAGRAPHS
INTRODUCTION
State thesis and preview three main examples
16
HERE IS A SAMPLE PLANNING HOUSE BASED ON THE USE
OF SCHOOL UNIFORMS
17
CONCLUSION
2. Review three body paragraphs
1. Uniforms will improve our school in many ways
Okay Example
Weakest Example
Best Example
Reduce inappropriate clothes
Create a sense of pride in students
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
18
Writing Your Introduction
19
THESIS STATEMENTS
Your Thesis states the main point of your paper.
It lets the reader know what point you are trying
to make.
Sample Thesis Statements
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.
20
PREVIEWING YOUR THREE MAIN POINTS
2. Create a sense of pride in students
3. Eliminate students being picked on
1. Reduce inappropriate clothes
Examples
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)
21
BODY PARAGRAPHS
THE ROOMS OF YOUR HOUSE
22
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.
23
NOW, PUT YOUR TOPIC SENTENCE AND YOUR 4-5
SENTENCES OF EXPLANATION TOGETHER AND YOU HAVE
A..
BODY PARAGRAPH!
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.
24
Not bad. But how can you improve this paragraph?

CLOSING SENTENCE!
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.
25
WRITING YOUR CONCLUSION
PUTTING ON THE ROOF!
26
WRITING YOUR CONCLUSION
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.
27
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.
28
READING SECTION
 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. 
29
READING SECTION
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.
30
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.
31
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 cant answer completely, make an
attempt.
6. These questions are scored from 0-4 points.
Therefore, a partial answer can earn you some
points.