The CAHSEE Essay

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The CAHSEE Essay
Ms. Stronks Lawndale High School
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Important CAHSEE Info

• CAHSEE California High School Exit Exam
• Possible scores ________
• Passing scores ______
• Pass the test _________________
• Must pass the CAHSEE to get a high school
  __________
• Scores arrive ____________ after the exam (mailed
  home and to school)

275-450
350
Never take it again!!!
diploma
two months
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More Information

• The English part of the test
• Covers English standards through grade ____
• __ Multiple Choice questions
• __ Essay (2 different essay types)

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73
1
4
First Type of Essay
Response to a writing prompt Answer a
question based on your own__________ and
_________. Example A person who seems
in charge of every situation is sometimes called
a natural leader. Describe someone you have
read about who seems to be a natural leader.
Write an essay in which you describe the person
and his or her accomplishments so vividly that
your readers will feel they know this person.
knowledge
opinions
_______
___________
_________
______
_______
_____
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Second Type of Essay
Response to a passage _________ a short story,
poem or informational piece and
__________________. Example Read "Teen
Drivers," and think about the authors
ideas. Write an essay in which you explain
some ways that your views on teenage driving
have been confirmed or changed as a result of
reading the article. Be sure to include
specific information from the article to support
your explanation.
Read
answer a question
________________
_____
___________
________
_________________
_______________
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Your Essay Score

• 4-point ______ (score sheet)
• Each essay scored by ____ different
  readers
• Papers receive no score (0) if ________
  or ________

rubric
two
off topic
illegible
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(No Transcript)
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Timed Writing Tips
Neatness

• ________ is the first thing they notice!
• Stay in the lines
• Choose your ____ handwriting (printing or cursive
  okay)
• Punctuate clearly periods, paragraph
  indentations, quotes, commas
• Write clearly If you make an error,
  _______________
• A title is not necessary
• Use pencil only

best
neatly cross it out
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More Tips
4-5

• Length ____ paragraphs
• Ask yourself, Exactly what do they want me to
  write about?
• Make sure each paragraph ______________
• Note ________ in the prompt (e.g., narrative,
  describe, persuasive)
• _____ before you write Outline or brainstorm in
  the booklet only
• ______ and _____ STRONG first and last
  impressions count!

answers the topic
key words
Plan
Begin end
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A Perfect Score (4 out of 4)

• An essay that earns a 4
• shows a thoughtful and meaningful thesis
• provides specific details or examples to support
  the main ideas
• demonstrates a clear understanding of the text or
  writing topic
• uses a variety of sentences and very descriptive
  language
• contains very few errors

__________
___________
_________
________
________
______
__________
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A Score of 3 (out of 4)

• An essay that earns a 3
• shows the reader has a thesis
• provides general details or examples to support
  the main ideas
• demonstrates a general understanding of the text
  or writing topic
• uses a variety of sentences and some descriptive
  language
• contains some errors

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A Score of 2 (out of 4)

• An essay that earns a 2
• has a thesis, but it isnt strong or clear
• provides limited details or examples to support
  the main ideas
• demonstrates some understanding of the text or
  writing topic, but isnt very organized
• uses little variety in sentences and predictable
  language
• contains several errors

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A Score of 1 (out of 4)

• An essay that earns a 1
• has a weak thesis
• provides no details or examples to support the
  main ideas
• demonstrates very limited understanding of the
  text or writing topic and isnt very organized
• uses basic sentences and limited language
• contains serious errors

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A Sample Essay Topic

• Throughout your years in school, you have
  studied many different people. Think about one of
  these people you have studied. What makes this
  person special enough to study? Write an essay
  in which you discuss a person you have studied in
  school. Explain what it is about this person that
  is special. Use details and examples to support
  your ideas.

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• Who would you write about? _____________________
  __________
• Give 3 main reasons
• _________________________________
• _________________________________
• _________________________________
• Summarize your main point
• _______________________________
• _______________________________

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What score does this essay deserve?
During the course of the years of school you
attend, you come in contact with a lot of
information about people who have changed the
world who have risked their life for causes
they believed in. Martin Luther King was one of
these people. He is a very special man because he
fought for black people to have rights, but he
also fought for peace. Martin Luther King was
an extremely remarkable man. He fought for black
people to have rights at a time when many people
were very racist against the African Americans.
He gave many speeches that influenced many to
stand up fight for their rights. He believed
that African Americans should be treated as
equally as a white American that there
shouldnt be laws that were based on the color of
your skin. To be able to standup against the
common opinion of African Americans, I think you
would have to be very courageous and strongly
believe in what you were fighting for. Martin
Luther King also fought for peace. He didnt like
all the war the hatred, so he promoted love. He
wanted peace everywhere for people to start
loving and stop hating. Some people stopped
hating started loving, but many didnt care to
listen because he was black. I think now, many
more people have respect for what he was fighting
for. The U.S. has a holiday especially reserved
for him for what he fought for during his life
- love and peace. I would think youd have to be
very influencial on the world to have a holiday
reserved for you. Martin Luther King was an
extraordinary man who fought for many things. I
dont think African Americans would have the
rights today if it wasnt for him. He changed the
worlds view on Racism equality. Even though
his dream of peace hasnt been fulfilled, it may
someday.