Writing: A Clear Short Narrative
The Writing domain gives one prompt and asks for a short written response. The prompt usually invites a personal narrative or a description, such as writing about a time you learned something or a place you know well. The response is sent to schools as a sample of your writing.
Core rules
- Answer the prompt exactly. If it asks for a story about one event, do not write a list of unrelated events.
- Use a clear beginning, middle, and end. The middle should show what happened step by step.
- Add specific details that a reader can picture: sounds, actions, and feelings.
- Write in complete sentences and keep tenses consistent.
- Leave time to reread for capital letters, end punctuation, and spelling of common words.
Worked example
Prompt: Write about a time you solved a problem. Plan: Beginning - I could not find my library book. Middle - I retraced my steps, checked the couch, and asked my sister. End - I found it under my bed and returned it on time. Sample sentence: 'I felt my face get hot as I searched the couch cushions.' Reasoning: The sentence shows a feeling and an action instead of saying 'I was worried.' Specific details make the narrative clearer.
Traps
- Writing about a different topic because it feels easier.
- Telling events without showing any details.
- Using long run-on sentences with many 'and's.
- Skipping revision and leaving obvious punctuation errors.
- Starting a story but not giving it an ending.