Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBAC) ELA/Literacy: Performance Task and Research Syllabus

What is a controlling idea (thesis) in a Performance Task essay?

The central claim or main point that states your position or focus and that the entire essay develops and supports.

Where should the controlling idea or claim typically appear in the essay?

In the introduction, usually near the end of the opening paragraph, so it frames the rest of the essay.

What makes a strong claim for an argumentative SBAC essay?

It is clear, specific, debatable (takes a defensible position), and directly responds to the prompt.

How does a controlling idea differ between an explanatory and an argumentative essay?

In explanatory writing it states the topic and main focus to be explained; in argumentative writing it states a debatable position/claim to be defended.

What is the role of an outline before writing the full-write essay?

It organizes your claim, main points, supporting evidence, and the order of paragraphs so the essay flows logically and addresses the whole prompt.

What are the basic parts of an effective essay outline for the Performance Task?

Introduction with thesis, body paragraphs each with a main point and evidence, and a conclusion that restates the idea and provides closure.

What does 'sequencing ideas' mean and why does it matter?

Arranging points in a logical order (e.g., by importance, chronology, or cause-effect) so the reader can follow the reasoning and the essay builds coherently.

Name three logical organizational patterns you can use to sequence ideas in an essay.

Order of importance, chronological/sequential order, and compare-contrast or cause-and-effect.

What is the structure of a well-organized body paragraph in a Performance Task essay?

A topic sentence stating the main point, supporting evidence from sources, explanation/analysis of that evidence, and a transition or concluding sentence.

What is the function of a topic sentence in a body paragraph?

It states the paragraph's main idea and connects it back to the thesis, telling the reader what the paragraph will prove or explain.

What is the difference between evidence and elaboration in a body paragraph?

Evidence is the cited fact, detail, or quotation from a source; elaboration is your explanation of how that evidence supports the paragraph's point and the thesis.

What does it mean to 'integrate' cited evidence rather than just dropping it in?

Smoothly working quotations or details into your own sentences with a signal/lead-in and explanation, rather than inserting a quote without context.

What is a signal phrase, and why use one when citing evidence?

A lead-in such as 'According to Source 1...' that introduces a quotation or detail; it attributes the evidence and connects it to your point.

How should you attribute evidence to sources in an SBAC full-write?

Reference the source by its label, title, or author (e.g., 'In Source 2' or 'the author of "..." states') so the reader knows where the evidence came from.

What is the 'quote sandwich' technique for integrating evidence?

Introduce the evidence with a signal phrase, present the quotation or detail, then explain how it supports your point.

Why should you use evidence from multiple sources in the full-write when the task allows?

Drawing on more than one source shows thorough analysis, strengthens your argument or explanation, and meets SBAC scoring expectations for evidence use.

What is 'tone' in writing, and what tone is expected in an argumentative or explanatory SBAC essay?

Tone is the writer's attitude conveyed through word choice; a formal, objective, academic tone is expected for argumentative and explanatory writing.

What is cohesion in an essay?

The quality of a piece of writing in which ideas connect smoothly and the text reads as a unified whole, achieved through transitions, repetition of key terms, and logical flow.

How do transition words contribute to cohesion?

They signal relationships between ideas (addition, contrast, cause-effect, sequence), helping the reader follow how sentences and paragraphs connect.

Give two examples each of transitions for contrast and for cause-and-effect.

Contrast: however, on the other hand. Cause-and-effect: therefore, as a result.

How can you maintain a consistent tone throughout an essay?

Keep word choice formal and objective, avoid slang and first/second-person where inappropriate, and avoid sudden shifts between casual and academic language.

What does it mean to 'strengthen development and support' in a revision?

Adding relevant evidence, details, examples, or explanation so each point is fully proven and the reasoning is convincing rather than thin.

What is a sign that a paragraph needs more development?

It makes a claim or states a point without enough evidence, examples, or explanation to support it—leaving the idea unproven or underexplained.

When revising for organization and flow, what should you check?

That ideas are in a logical order, each paragraph has a clear focus, transitions link ideas, and the essay moves smoothly from introduction to conclusion.

What is the difference between revising and editing?

Revising improves content, organization, development, and clarity of ideas; editing corrects surface conventions like grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

What are 'conventions' in the context of SBAC writing scoring?

The rules of standard written English—grammar, usage, spelling, capitalization, and punctuation.

What is an efficient strategy for correcting conventions under time limits?

Reserve a few minutes at the end to proofread, focusing first on high-impact errors (sentence fragments, run-ons, subject-verb agreement, punctuation) that affect clarity.

What are two common sentence-level errors to catch when proofreading quickly?

Run-on sentences/comma splices and sentence fragments, plus subject-verb agreement errors.

What does the SBAC full-write essay scoring evaluate (the three trait categories)?

Organization/Purpose (claim, structure, cohesion), Evidence/Elaboration (use and explanation of evidence), and Conventions (grammar, usage, mechanics).

What should an effective conclusion in a Performance Task essay do?

Restate or reinforce the controlling idea, synthesize the main points, and give the reader a sense of closure—without introducing new evidence.