HSPA Language Arts Tutorial Cluster 1: Writing to Speculate

Summary of Content to be Tested

Students will be given 30 minutes to complete the Writing to Speculate section of the HSPA.

On this section of the test, students will be given a picture and then asked to complete a writing task. Students will be given the opportunity to demonstrate how well they can organize and express their ideas in written text.

In the writing sample, students will need to:

• respond clearly and appropriately to a given prompt.

• select a focus and appropriate details to support it.

• organize the response to include an introduction, appropriate transitions, and a conclusion.

• use elaboration to engage the audience.

• use varied sentence structure and word choice.

• use conventions of print and literary forms.

• use language appropriate to the audience.

Student responses will be scored using the New Jersey Registered Holistic Scoring Rubric.