NJASK Boot Camp

1. NJASK Boot Camp The All-in-One Guide to Conquering the NJASK State Test

2. The Dreaded Multiple Choice

3. Multiple Choice Questions • There are different kinds of questions they will ask, but thankfully, they don’t change from year to year. • Once you understand the type of questions they will ask, you can prepare yourself and be one step ahead. • These types of questions will follow you right into college – so it’s important to master them now.

4. Tips and Tricks • Remember the testers are looking for ONLY ONE right answer for each multiple choice question • As a rule: • There is 1 or 2 questions that are far-fetched • Cross these out immediately • Focus on the other 2 and select the best of those • 50% chance is better than 25% any day of the week

5. Multiple Choice • The following are the staples in the standardized testing situations:

6. 1. Main Idea/Theme • By the end of the story, ___________ learns that… • Which statement expresses the theme of the story? • In the article, the author attempts to… • Which sums up the central idea of “_____”? • A central theme in “______” is…

7. 2. Basic Recall • These are meant to be the easiest and most straightforward questions • In paragraph #... • GO BACK TO THE PARAGRAPH!! • They are referring you back to the story for a reason

8. 3. Literary Devices • Metaphors, similes, hyperboles, personification, idioms, alliteration, allusions, imagery, etc. • We have been talking about these since the beginning of the year – there is no reason to get these wrong.

9. 4. Vocabulary/Unfamiliar Word • The key to these questions is the use of context clues • Read the sentence(s) surrounding the unfamiliar word and come to a conclusion about the definition of the word • I am becoming bored of my father constantly pontificating about how good I have it compared to him at my age.

10. 5. Character Analysis • They like to ask questions about character traits in the story • “Which word best describes _____?” • “As described in the article, _____ is…” • “_____ shows him/herself to be…”

11. 6. Plot Diagramming • Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, Resolution • Climax is the most commonly asked question • Remember that the climax is: • The most exciting part of the story • When the main conflict is finally resolved

12. 7. Tone/Mood • We have practiced multiple times throughout our novels, poems, and lyrics in songs • Just to review… • What is the tone? Mood? • Sample question: • “Which of the following best describes the overall tone of the story?”

13. 8. Inferencing/Drawing Conclusions • Inferencing is more than an educated guess • It’s using evidence from the story to come to a conclusion • Ms. Kinnean ran to the bathroom holding her face claiming she had something in her eye. • “Which detail supports the author’s main idea?”

14. 9. Opinions • Sometimes the questions will ask you to create an opinion about a character or situation • Be reasonable – they are looking for a certain answer • If it’s a moral question, go along with the societal accepted norm – even if you don’t agree

15. 10. Predictions • This goes along with opinions from the previous slide • Be reasonable. Predict something that might actually be possible.

16. 11. Title Replacement • Sometimes they will ask you to “rename” the title of a reading selection • If you consider the main idea of the article or story, you should be able to pick out the title they are looking for

17. 12. Turning Point in Story • Sometimes they will ask you what the turning point in the story is. • We have practiced this earlier in the year; this should be easy for you.

18. 13. Genre • If they ask you about the genre of a story, they are simply asking what type of story it falls into • Fiction, nonfiction, historical fiction, science fiction, mystery, realistic fiction, fable, mythology, fairy tale, etc.

19. 14. Point of View • 1st person • “I”, “My” • 2nd person • Very rarely used • “You” • 3rd person • “He”, “She” • Limited • Omniscient (able to enter into the heads of every character)

20. 15. Author’s Feelings • This is where you will have to jump into the thoughts of the author and try to determine how they felt about the selection (or what their reason for writing the selection was).

21. 16. Moral • The testers may want to test you on what the moral of the story is • This typically goes hand in hand with the theme • Moral, in case you forgot, is what you were supposed to learn from a reading • Don’t bully • Respect other peoples’ feelings • Treat others the way you would want to be treated • It’s usually some type of universal lesson about life

22. Open-Ended Response • Read the question before you start the reading selection • This will give you the opportunity to see what to keep an eye out for • If you’re a quick reader, you may want to underline important (quote-worthy) sentences along the way • This will make it very easy to place the quote and incorporate it into your response.

23. Common Theme • After the reading selection, read the open-ended question (and each bullet) • Try to make a list of possible themes that tie the question (and each bullet) together • Respect, responsibility, maturity, friendship, alienation, depression, coming of age, survival, individuality, sharing…the list goes on and on • Select the most relevant theme and weave it throughout your response • Don’t forget your transitions!

24. Limited Space • Get to the point fairly quickly – there is very little space provided for open-ended responses • Aim for (2) solid paragraphs • Or (1) extended “adult paragraph” • Write as small as you can – the more information the better • Fill up the entire space…it’s really not much • Write legibly • Don’t use bullets to offset your paragraphs

25. Writing With Detail • Details. Details. Details. • Use as much elaboration as possible • “Point-quote, Point-quote, Point-quote” • Dr. Fitter • If the question is tempting you to use a personal experience – do it. • Keep it brief and relevant • Since the space is limited, use ONLY was completely necessary

26. Beyond the Text • Going beyond the text is the number one way to boost your score off the charts • Keep in mind any connection between a novel, movie, television show • These are allusions and they are good • Again…these are great but don’t simply give a recap of everything that happened in your choice • Stick to the relevant part of the allusion and prove your point in relation to the original question

27. Grammar and Spelling • I know speed is of the essence when in these situations, but try your best to sound as educated as possible at all times • AVOID TEXT LANGUAGE AT ALL COSTS!!!

28. Sentence Patterns • Strong topic sentences • Sentence patterns • Participial phrases, semicolon, parallel construction, sentence fragments, dashes • Transitions • AVOID First…, Second…, Lastly…

29. Open-ended Rubric

30. Persuasive Prompt • This is arguably the most important writing prompt of the test • It is graded by two people and each gives it a grade out of 6; the scores are then combined • The highest score on a persuasive is a 12 • I will show you the rubric in a couple of slides

31. Prewriting/Brainstorming • Since none of you are expected to write for a full 45 minutes, it is important to gather your thoughts prior to writing • Suggestions: • T-Chart • Brainstorming Web • Outline • Anything that helps organize your thoughts

32. Introductory Paragraph • Strong topic sentence • Lead-in provided • Warm the reader up before bombarding them with facts, statistics and opinions • Thesis statement provided • The main point of your paper and the examples you plan on proving throughout • We have practiced this, so there is no reason not to do it in your essay

33. 1st Body Paragraph • Introduce your best point in this paragraph • Support it with details, details, details • This paragraph has the best chance of being read all the way through • Put your best foot forward

34. 2nd Paragraph • Introduce your second best point • Details, details, details

35. 3rd Paragraph • Introduce your third best paragraph • If pressed for time or if you’re uncomfortable with the prompt • Turn a negative into a positive • Stronger paragraph if you’re comfortable • Use one of your opposing topics to flip around and find out how you can have it benefit you • Details, details, details

36. 1-2 Punch • Abandon the traditional “conclusion” paragraph where you simply restate the points you have already made • Use the 1-2 punch sentence to leave your reader with something to think about they put your paper down • We have practiced these many times; use them. • This is considered a compositional risk and they will be rewarded as such

37. Persuasive Techniques • Emotional Appeal: Writers may appeal to fear, anger, or joy to sway their readers. This technique contributes to the essay’s tone and mood. Consider Mr. Illas’s presentation about drugs…very hard hitting material works! • Word Choice: Is a person “slim” or “skinny”? Is an oil spill an “incident” or an “accident”? Is a nineteen-year-old suspect an “adult” or “teen”? Writers tend to reinforce their arguments by choosing words that will influence their reader’s perception of the issue. This is deceptive and tricky but effective. • Make a Negative a Positive: Just to show that you are examining both sides of the issue, try using a con to your point of view and turn it into a positive for you. Example: While bullying is a problem all over the country, the effect of a child standing up to a bully can quickly boost self-esteem and confidence. • Rhetorical Question: Sometimes a writer will ask a question to which no answer is required. The writer implies that the answer is obvious; the reader has no choice but to agree with the writer’s point. Example: How many times do I have to ask you to clean your room? • Analogy: Essay writers often use figures of speech for desired emphasis. • Figurative Language: Similes, Extended Metaphors, Alliteration, Hyperboles, Etc. Use these for effect, not for the sake of using them. • Appeal to Authority: A writer may mention an important figure or event in an essay to lend importance and credibility to the argument. • Appeals to Self-Interest: When trying to persuade a reader, sometimes the writer will let the reader know how he/she will benefit…think “what’s in it for you.” Butter up the reader a bit. A little flattery goes a long way. • Evidence/Statistics: Writers often influence their readers by providing evidence that supports their argument. Whenever possible, give the reader something concrete to consider as it can be “indisputable.” (Required) • Anecdote: Draw from your own experiences or those of friends or family as examples to support your position. Don’t be too long-winded with these. Prove your point and move on! • Persuasive Don’ts • Do not be too extreme with your argument. Avoid sweeping statements that use “always” or “never.” • Do not be overly general. Avoid anchoring an argument with statements that include “everyone” or “no one.” • Do fall into the trap of creating and supporting stereotypes. If your reader falls into a certain stereotype, you will lose your argument immediately. • Do not make claims that defy common sense or commonly known facts. Example: School cafeterias should not restrict sugary treats because everyone knows sugar makes kids happy, and if kids are happy they score high on tests. • Do not insult potential readers with derogatory remarks and insults. Example: People who think animal testing is necessary are idiots who deserve to slowly suffer like lab rats. • Do not fabricate outrageous facts. Example: In a recent survey I did yesterday, 97.99% of my participants agreed that locker searches are ridiculous.

38. Don’t Forget: • Sentence patterns • Transitions • At least 6-7 sentences per paragraph • Don’t be wishy-washy • Sophisticated word choice • Proper grammar • Details, details, details • Stick to answering the question

39. After You Finish: • Don’t sit there picking your nose; there are more constructive things to do with your time • Check word choice • Replace “bad” with “awful” or “atrocious” • Insert different sentence patterns • Some people (like me) like to insert my sentence variety at the revision stage • Check spelling and grammar • Don’t risk sounding uneducated because you rushed along and made careless errors

40. Persuasive/Explanatory Rubric