1.

Summary
2. Persuasive
3. Short Story/Autobiographical Narrative
4. Response to Literature Essay

SUMMARY
Usually a summary is only ONE PARAGRAPH

long. But on the PARCC Writing Assessment,

the graders want to see a MULTIPLE
PARAGRAPH summary.
Therefore, you should write a SUMMARY

ESSAY with an intro, body paragraphs, and a

conclusion.

Your strong summary

needs these elements:
INTRO: First sentence including the authors

NAME, the GENRE (fiction, etc.), and the

TITLE of the reading selection.
THESIS that conveys the authors MAIN IDEA
BODY PARAGRAPHS with TOPIC SENTENCES.

Major points included, but minor points left out and

balanced paragraphs which give equal attention to

each SUPPORTING IDEA, not over-emphasizing
one.
Succinct style: not too WORDY, not too SHORT.
The original author is paraphrased, not quoted.
Ideas are presented in a logical order (same order
as in the original) and transition words used to
show ORDER and connect words.
Citation expressions such as the author points out,
states, mentions, asserts, reports, notes, argues,
examines, addresses, concludes
Ends in a CONCLUDING paragraph
Summary writer does NOT include his or her own
OPINIONS

PERSUASIVE
ESSAY/LETTER
A strong persuasive essay has these
elements:
A clear INTRODUCTION. Include a HOOK
SENTENCE to grab the readers attention, a
THESIS to state the writers position clearly,
and a ROAD MAP which gracefully lets the
reader know where the essay is heading by
introducing the main points a writer will make.

Support or BODY paragraphs

INCLUDING TOPIC SENTENCES and

believable, convincing, detailed
evidence. Dont forget to tell WHY
the reasons support your point with
signal phrases such as this example
reveals that

Strong REBUTTALS to the readers

concerns (also called

COUNTERARGUMENTS): anticipate the
readers counterarguments and write a
rebuttal to those arguments. A
convincing persuasive essay
acknowledges concerns the reader might
have and addresses those concerns. Use
transitions such as however, on the other
hand, some might argue that, to signal
that this is your counterargument and
rebuttal paragraph.

A strong CONCLUSION: including a

fresh REMINDER of the THESIS, a

restatement of the main points, and a
solid SO-WHAT which gives the
reader a sense of closure and an
understanding of why this issue
matters.

SHORT STORY OR
AUTOBIOGAPHICAL
A strong short story has:
NARRATIVE
A well developed plot
CLIMAX
RISING ACTION/
COMPLICATIONS

EXPOSITION
RESOLUTION

Believable major and minor

CHARACTERS

Dialogue, punctuated correctly

SENSORY images (taste, sight, hear,

touch, smell)

In-the-head writing that shows what is

going on IN THE CHARACTERS HEAD.

RESPONSE TO LITERATURE
ESSAY
A response to literature essay is

supposed to show the reader that you

really UNDERSTAND the story or
poem you just read. Usually a
response to literature prompts you to
analyze a CHARACTER or explain
one of the THEMES of the piece of
literature.

A strong response to literature has:

A clear INTRODUCTION. Include a

HOOK SENTENCE to grab the

readers attention, a THESIS to state
the writers position clearly, and a
ROAD MAP which gracefully lets the
reader know where the essay is
heading by introducing the main
points a writer will make.

Support or BODY paragraphs

INCLUDING evidence. Dont forget to

explain your evidence from the novel
or story. Tell why it supports your
point with signal phrases such as this
example shows/reveals/demonstrates
that

A strong CONCLUSION: including a

fresh REMINDER of the THESIS, a

restatement of the main points, and a
solid SO-WHAT which gives the
reader a sense of closure and an
understanding of why this issue
matters.