HSPA+Review

The New Jersey HSPA in Language Arts Literacy: (Taken from the 2nd Edition of the Barron's HSPA Prep book, edited by Dr. Edie Weinthal & Patricia Hade)

1. **Picture Prompt:**
 * 30 Minutes (5-7 for prewriting, 17-20 for writing, 3-5 for revising)
 * Directions: "Use your imagination and experience to speculate about what is happening. Then write your story."
 * Use the background, foreground, figures, and action in the picture to write a creative story.
 * Story should have a clear beginning, middle, and end.
 * Use the "Writer's Checklist" to revise and edit what you've written.
 * Scoring: Scale of 0-6
 * Use vivid details!

2. **Reading and Responding to a Narrative Passage**:
 * 50 minutes
 * The narrative passage will be followed by 10 multiple-choice questions and 2 open-ended questions
 * Remember to read each question carefully so you know what's being asked.
 * Remember to answer BOTH bullet points within the open-ended questions, and use specific details from the text to support your answer.
 * Write AT LEAST 1 full paragraph per bullet point.
 * Scoring Rubric: Scale of 0-4 (you have to be off-topic to receive a 0, and you have to go above and beyond what's required to receive a 4)

3. **The Persuasive Writing Task**:
 * 60 Minutes (5-7 for prewriting, 37-40 for writing, 3-5 for revising)
 * Use standard writing structure, transitions, and formal English grammar.
 * Remember to pick a side; don't "be on the fence"!
 * Write a clear thesis statement and make sure all your opinions support the thesis fully
 * Have a clear opening and closing.
 * Put your stronger details first, and organize your essay in a logical manner
 * DO NOT invent statistics!
 * Proofread for mechanical errors.
 * Scoring Rubric: Scale of 0-6 (Again, you need to be off-topic to receive a 0! Stick to the prompt.)

4. **Reading and Responding to a Persuasive Passage:** Period 2-Directions Period 2-Strategies Period 2-Scoring Rubric Period 2-Terms & Techniques

Period 7-Directions Period 7-Strategies Period 7-Scoring Rubric Period 7-Terms & Techniques

5. **Revising and Editing (this section may or may not appear on your version of the HSPA):**

2-4 Areas to pay attention to 2-Steps to revising a student essay 2-Scoring 2-Frequent Mistakes 2-Subject-Verb Agreement 2-Difficult Subjects 2-Pronouns & Parallel Structure 2-Faulty Comparisons

7-4 Areas to pay attention to 7-Steps to revising a student essay 7-Scoring 7-Frequent Mistakes 7-Subject-Verb Agreement 7-Difficult Subjects 7-Pronouns & Parallel Structure 7-Faulty Comparisons


 * Scoring Rubrics:
 * 1) Open-ended: See "Scoring Rubric" link under # 4 above.
 * 2) Essay: Scored holistically on a scale of 0-6