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I wanted to make a video to give
test taking tip, but specifically test taking tips
for the STAAR Writing Test so let's jump right into it.
When you're writing an essay
you have written the introduction
but now you need to write a body paragraph.
For the most part, the body paragraph
is the most important paragraph
because it's going to give what your main ideas
are and it's going to support those main ideas.
It could be one paragraph, it could be
two or three paragraphs, it just depends on
on how you structure your essay; but let's just focus on
on one main paragraph.
As you're writing an expository
what you're going to include in that body paragraph
are topic sentences. Your topic sentences
are the reasons that you stated in your thesis.
Your topic sentences should use
transition words, and they may also restate
your stance. We're going to look further into this
as this video goes on.
Transition words, let's define that a little bit. Now there's many
different transition words, but I'm only going to focus on a few.
You probably know some of these. Here are some
transition words: first, second, third
or maybe first, next,
finally. You might even use
one way or another way.
Again, these just represent a few transition
words. Now, here's an example of
an expository essay using
these topic sentences. If the topic is
"What is better dress code or school uniforms?"
My thesis would be "Ultimately,
having a dress code is better because it allows more
freedom and it prevents distractions."
I given my stance, I've chosen a side
dress code or school uniforms, I chose dress code.
Now I have to give reasons why, and my reasons are
it allows more freedom and it prevents distractions.
So if I were to write topic sentences for those two main points
these would be the topic sentences
the first one: "The first reason having
a dress code is better is because it allows more freedom."
I have restated my stance
and I have given my reason, and
also used a transition word - "first."
My second topic sentence would be "the next reason
having a dress code is better is because it prevents
distractions." Again, I've provided a transition word
"the next reason," I've
restated my stance - that dress code is better -
and I've said my reason - because it prevents distractions.
All those are key components in a topic sentence.
Now, remember you
don't have to use the transition words that I used.
You can choose your own, but
using transition words gives your essay a flow
from one point to the next. Even if you don't use
mine, but if you choose not to than make
sure that you use some type of transition
words because it gives your essay a
a flow. Now, if
you want to see more examples of
expository or personal narrative essay, specifially
to read the topic sentences, you can go to mrferrero.com
click on test taking tips,
and there will be helpful resources there for you to
read through some sample essays
that people have written in the past.
What you need to understand is, you have everything
it takes to be successful on this test.