MCAS ELA Narrative Essay Expectations and Examples
Learn about the expectations for MCAS ELA narrative essays, including guidelines for idea development and conventions. Find out how to score well by responding in the correct writing mode and avoiding common mistakes. Explore examples of lower-score responses and how to improve them. Download sample MCAS Grade 3 narrative essay questions for practice.
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Expectations for MCAS ELA Narrative Essays Student Assessment Services Fall 2023 1 1
General MCAS Essay Expectations Essays must be based only on the passage(s) presented. Outside information does not count towards the student score. Essays must address the question and writing mode. Student directions for each writing mode (e.g., narrative, explanatory, argument) are standardized. Summaries of passage(s) will receive a score of zero for Idea Development but may receive up to 3 points for Conventions. Writing in the wrong mode will elicit a score of zero in Idea Development but may receive up to 3 points for Conventions. Direct copy from the prompt or passage with no original words from the student will result in a score of zero. Responses should include multiple paragraphs to receive higher scores. 2 2
Narrative MCAS Essay Expectations Grades 3 4 Narrative prompt will include continue the story or write a story. Students at this level are not expected to know the term narrative. Responses that begin I think that . . . , list predictions of what might happen, and do not include any narrative elements will receive a zero for Idea Development. Responses should logically extend the passage and include narrative elements such as characters, dialogue, plot, and setting. Grades 5 and Above Students are expected to know the term narrative. Responses that begin I think that . . . , list predictions of what might happen, and do not include any narrative elements will receive a zero for Idea Development. Responses should logically extend the passage and include narrative elements such as characters, dialogue, plot, and setting. 3 3
Sample MCAS Grade 3 Narrative Essay Question The passage, prompt, and student work samples can be found at https://www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/student/2021/grade3/ela-q12.pdf 4 4
Example of Responding in Wrong Writing Mode Scoring: Total score 1 Response received a zero out of 4 in Idea Development. It is written in the form of a prediction instead of in the form of a story. It should have included the following elements to extend the story: plot, characters, setting, dialogue, action, and/or description. Response received a score of 1 in Conventions. The writing lacks the complexity or length to demonstrate more than minimal control of standard English conventions. 5 5
Example of Lower-Score Response in Correct Mode Scoring: Total score 2 Response received a score of 1 in Idea Development. Although written as a narrative in the form of a story, it lacks idea development. Response demonstrates a minimal understanding of writing a story. Response received a score of 1 in Conventions. The writing lacks the complexity or length to demonstrate more than minimal control of standard English conventions, including scattered errors. 6 6
Sample MCAS Grade 7 Narrative Essay Question The passage, prompt, and student work samples can be found at https://www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/student/2019/question.aspx?GradeID=7 &SubjectCode=ela&QuestionID=61886 7 7
Example of Response in Wrong Writing Mode Scoring: Total score 1 Response received a zero out of 5 in Idea Development. It includes a prediction of what the student thinks will happen instead of a narrative. It should have taken the form of a narrative and included elements relating to plot, characters, setting, dialogue, action, and/or description. Response received a score of 1 in Conventions. The writing lacks the complexity or length to demonstrate more than minimal control of standard English conventions. 8 8
Example of Lower-Score Response in Correct Writing Mode Scoring: Total score 2 Response received a score of 1 in Idea Development. Although written as a narrative, it is insufficiently developed and organized. There is little about the characters and the response jumps to the conclusion without clearly describing what happens next. Response received a score of 1 in Conventions. The writing contains spelling and grammatical errors throughout. It lacks the complexity or length to demonstrate more than minimal control of standard English conventions. 9 9
MCAS ELA Resources on DESE Website Resource Link ELA Rubrics https://www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/tdd/ela.html?section=rubrics Student Work Samples and Annotations https://www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/student/default.html Released Questions http://mcas.pearsonsupport.com/released-items/ela/ ELA Test Designs https://www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/tdd/default.html 10 10
