First and foremost, this link is designed for support for the English long composition section of the MCAS.

..................................................

The 1999 Grade 10 Writing Prompt Topic:

In literature, as in life, things are not always as they appear to be. Identify a work of literature that you have read in or out of class in which this is true. Select one event scene, or episode from this work of literature and explain in an essay what the situation appears to be and what the situation really is.

The writing prompt essay is assesed on a ten-point rubric. Six points are based on topic development: clear thesis statement, supporting arguments, examples explained, and conclusion/restatement of thesis. The remaining four points of the scale refer to the proper use of English conventions: spelling, grammar, punctuation, tone (word choice) . Click on the links below to read some sample essays from 10th grade sophomores in response to this question.