Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) English Language Arts / Literacy: Writing and Language Syllabus

English Language Arts / Literacy: Writing and Language syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for English Language Arts / Literacy: Writing and Language in Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC), not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Writing to Sources

   3 topics

   • Literary Analysis Task
     • Analyzing two literary texts
     • Developing an evidence-based thesis
     • Organizing a comparative response
   • Research Simulation Task
     • Reading and analyzing multiple sources
     • Synthesizing information across texts
     • Integrating and attributing evidence
   • Narrative Writing Task
     • Developing real or imagined experiences
     • Narrative techniques and sequencing
     • Sensory detail and descriptive language
2. 2

   Text Types and Purposes

   3 topics

   • Argument Writing
     • Establishing and supporting a claim
     • Acknowledging counterclaims
     • Logical reasoning and relevant evidence
   • Informative/Explanatory Writing
     • Organizing ideas and concepts
     • Using facts, definitions, and examples
     • Maintaining objectivity
   • Narrative Writing
     • Plot, setting, and characterization
     • Coherent event sequence
3. 3

   Production and Organization of Writing

   3 topics

   • Development of Ideas
     • Elaboration with relevant detail
     • Maintaining focus on the prompt
   • Organization and Cohesion
     • Introductions and conclusions
     • Transitions and logical progression
   • Clarity and Style
     • Word choice and precision
     • Sentence variety and tone
4. 4

   Conventions of Standard English

   3 topics

   • Grammar and Usage
     • Subject-verb and pronoun agreement
     • Verb tense and mood consistency
     • Phrases, clauses, and parallel structure
   • Capitalization, Punctuation, and Spelling
     • Comma, semicolon, and colon use
     • Punctuating dialogue and quotations
     • Spelling conventions
   • Knowledge of Language
     • Editing for clarity and concision
     • Maintaining consistent style and tone

English Language Arts / Literacy: Writing and Language flashcards for Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)

25 of 51 cards from the English Language Arts / Literacy: Writing and Language deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What is the PARCC Literary Analysis Task (LAT)?

   A prose-constructed-response task in which students read two or more literary texts, then write an essay analyzing how the texts use literary techniques, themes, or other elements—drawing evidence from each source.

2. What is the PARCC Research Simulation Task (RST)?

   A task in which students analyze an informational topic presented through multiple texts (and sometimes multimedia), then write an analytical essay synthesizing evidence from across the sources.

3. What is the PARCC Narrative Writing Task (NWT)?

   A task in which students read a text and then produce a narrative response—such as a story, a description of a scene, or a continuation—using narrative techniques and details.

4. Across the three PARCC writing tasks, what type of writing always requires drawing evidence from provided source texts?

   The Literary Analysis Task and the Research Simulation Task both require analytical writing grounded in textual evidence; the Narrative Writing Task uses the text as a springboard rather than for analytical evidence.

5. What three traits are scored on the PARCC prose-constructed-response rubric for analytical tasks?

   Reading Comprehension and Written Expression, Development of Ideas/Written Expression, and Knowledge of Language and Conventions.

6. What is the purpose of argument writing?

   To convince an audience of a claim or position by presenting reasons and relevant evidence, and by acknowledging and addressing opposing viewpoints (counterclaims).

7. What are the essential components of an argument essay?

   A clear claim (thesis), supporting reasons, relevant evidence, acknowledgment of counterclaims, and a concluding statement that follows from the argument.

8. What is a counterclaim in argument writing?

   An opposing viewpoint to the writer's claim; strong arguments fairly acknowledge counterclaims and then rebut them with reasons and evidence.

9. How does argument writing differ from persuasive writing?

   Argument writing relies on logic, reasons, and evidence to support a claim, while persuasive writing may rely more heavily on emotional appeals and the writer's personal opinion.

10. What is the purpose of informative/explanatory writing?

    To examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through selection, organization, and analysis of content—not to argue a position.

11. What are key features of informative/explanatory writing?

    A clear topic/thesis, relevant facts and details, definitions, organized structure with transitions, precise language and domain-specific vocabulary, and a concluding statement.

12. How does informative/explanatory writing differ from argument writing?

    Informative writing explains or describes a topic objectively, while argument writing takes a position and tries to persuade the reader to accept a claim.

13. What is narrative writing?

    Writing that tells a real or imagined story or experience using a sequence of events, characters, setting, and narrative techniques such as dialogue, description, and pacing.

14. What narrative techniques are used to develop experiences and events?

    Dialogue, pacing, description, reflection, and multiple plot lines, used to develop characters and advance the story.

15. What is the typical structure of a narrative?

    An orientation/exposition that sets the scene, a sequence of events with rising action and a climax, and a resolution/conclusion that reflects on the experience.

16. In narrative writing, what does it mean to establish a point of view?

    Choosing and consistently maintaining the narrator's perspective—such as first person ('I') or third person—from which the story is told.

17. In PARCC scoring, what does 'Development of Ideas' refer to?

    How thoroughly and effectively the writer develops the topic or claim with relevant, well-chosen reasons, details, evidence, and elaboration.

18. What is elaboration in writing?

    Extending and explaining ideas with specific details, examples, evidence, and reasoning so the reader fully understands the point being made.

19. What does 'relevant evidence' mean in analytical writing?

    Facts, details, quotations, or examples drawn directly from the source text(s) that clearly support the writer's claim or analysis.

20. What is the difference between a quotation and a paraphrase as evidence?

    A quotation reproduces the source's exact words in quotation marks, while a paraphrase restates the source's idea in the writer's own words; both should be cited.

21. What does 'organization' mean in writing?

    The logical arrangement of ideas—including introduction, body, and conclusion—so that information and reasons flow in a clear, purposeful order.

22. What is cohesion in writing?

    The quality of ideas connecting smoothly and logically, achieved through transitions, consistent references, and clear relationships between sentences and paragraphs.

23. What role do transitions (transitional words and phrases) play in writing?

    They link ideas, sentences, and paragraphs, signaling relationships such as sequence, contrast, cause-effect, or addition, which improves cohesion and clarity.

24. Give examples of transitional words that show contrast.

    However, on the other hand, in contrast, nevertheless, yet, conversely, whereas.

25. Give examples of transitional words that show cause and effect.

    Because, therefore, as a result, consequently, thus, since, due to.

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