Prompts
Narrative Writing Tasks from 2003, 2005, and 2007
On the California Writing Standards Test, students will be instructed to complete a “writing task.” Be sure they know this is the same as a “writing prompt.” Samples of actual tasks with the directions are included in the guides mentioned above. The test guides state that personal or autobiographical narrative will not be tested as personal disclosure is not desired.
Narratives must include a beginning, middle, and end; vivid descriptive detail; and correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization. To date, all released tasks for narratives have called for a response to be written in first person, although it is possible a task could call for a response using third person. The released narrative writing tasks are listed below.
Imagine you are walking down the hall at your school, and you hear a strange noise coming from your classroom. When you go inside, you discover that the strange noise is coming from a funny-looking animal sitting at your desk. Write a story about what happens next. (2003)
If you could be the teacher for your class for one day, what would you do and why? Write a story about what would happen in your class the day you are the teacher. (2003)
Imagine you are able to spend a day with anyone you want. Write a story about that day. (2005)
Imagine waking up one morning to find that you live in a world where machines do everything. Write a story about what happens next. (2005)
One day while you are out on a walk with a dog, the dog suddenly starts talking about where he used to live and how he would like to visit that place again. Write about what happens that day. (2007)
Think about your favorite animal. For one day, you are going to be that animal. Write about your day as this animal. (2007)
Response to Literature Tasks from 2006 and 2008
Students are directed to read a piece of text and respond based on the task. Students are allowed to make notes or otherwise mark the text they read. Their response must show their understanding of the story or article. They must use evidence (examples, details) from the text to support their ideas.
What is the lesson the author feels her readers should learn? Use details from the story to support your answer. (2006)
Based on the story “Jack and Billy,” how can the reader tell that the narrator is a caring person? Use details from the story to support your answer. (2006)
Why do you think “First Choice” is a good title for this story? Use details from the story to support your answer. (2008)
In this story, two friends are annoyed with each other’s bad habit. What would be a good title for this story, and why? Use examples from the story to support your answer. (2008)
Respond to Literature Planning
Summary / Thesis/ Central Idea
__________________________ by ______________________
(title) (author)
is a ______________________ about _____________________
(genre = type of story)
5 Ws → (the story = what) by (author = who) is a (genre – type of story = what) about (character, topic, theme, etc = what)
Summary Tasks from 2002 and 2004
To date, all text summarized for the state test has been expository. However, during Theme 1 students also learned to summarize narrative text. Students should include the main ideas (or events) and most significant details that support the main ideas. They must write using their own words—paraphrase! They should not include opinions.
After reading the article, write a summary of what you have read. (2002, 2004)
Source