Can you write a compelling essay in 26 lines?

For the STAAR Writing Test, you’ll have to, so here are some crucial tips to follow:

• Tip #1: Plan your essay with meaningful pre-writing.

A lot of students like to jump right into writing their essays, and while that excitement for sharing their thoughts should be commended, the tactic often leaves a lot of room for error. Pre-writing, such as word bubbles and outlines, is so important for ensuring that you don’t get off track while writing your essay. Having a game plan will make it so that you can confidently make points and not feel like you need to pad out information with filler words.

Students who don’t pre-write spend part of their essays “feeling out” what they want to say. This is a problem because the restricted line limit allows no space for “clearing your throat,” or slowly coming to your point after addressing ideas that aren’t really related to the topic.

• Tip #2: Be willing to erase ideas, sentences, phrases, and/or words.

Nobody is perfect. And even with a writing game plan, you probably are going to write something in your essay that is not really necessary. Instead of thinking “once a word is on the line, it stays there forever,” be open to correcting your statements.

Students who write quickly and never look back are trusting that they will get all of their ideas out perfectly the first time, something which is never true for any writer, even professionals. The key is to give yourself enough time to return and make revisions--and of course, plan well so you don’t have many problems in the first place!

• Tip #3: Back up ideas with concrete, diverse examples.

This tip hits on the fundamentals. The heart and soul of essays are their examples. And the more focused and specific you make your examples, the more pleasing your writing will be. So remember the lessons and key moments of your favorite books. Also, be okay with talking about your own circumstances.

Students who fail to score well often present several different points but never back those points up with any details. Or the details themselves are just so vague that they don’t even clarify what the student is trying to say.

• Tip #4: Add depth to fewer points.

Finally, you need to recognize that more does not always equate to more, if that makes sense. Just because you have four body paragraphs or you have eight examples doesn’t mean that you are writing a great essay. You need to choose 2-3 key points and GO DEEP with those points. Quality is always treated better than quantity.

Ryan Murphy, MFA

Head Instructor and Curriculum Manager
Berkeley2 Academy