On-Demand Testing Prep Guide

Four Forms Letter Article Editorial Speech

3 Tasks Narrate an event Persuade Inform

Test Days Two days of testing Each day, you receive 2 prompts. Choose one. One day will be a text-based prompt: read a piece of text, then use the text to write your response

60-Minute Test You have 60 minutes to respond to the prompt Good plan: 10 minutes plan & prewrite 35 minutes write 15 minutes proofread & revise

Choose the Right Form Letter Editorial Speech Article Addresses a specific individual for a specific purpose Editorial Statement of opinion to be read by a group Speech Address to a group of people, usually connected by a common interest Article Conveys info to large number of people Informs & entertains

What We’re Looking For Text & language features of the form Well-organized idea development Purpose, purpose, purpose Information that clarifies/justifies purpose Ideas the communicate purpose Explanation & support that help readers’ understand purpose Support Facts, examples, reasons, anecdotes, chart, etc. Effective conclusions

The Article Lead Body Conclusion Goal: capture the reader’s attention Introduce article’s “hook”—its specific focus on the topic (audience’s interests/needs) Body Logical organization Group info under subheads Conclusion Satisfying end Often reconnects to the beginning Wraps up the discussion

The Article - 2 General points: Nonfiction & factual Clarifies/Interprets complex issues by giving depth & meaning Includes specific detail Appropriate tone/voice Doesn’t state writer’s opinion, but viewpoint is often evident in the hook

Editorial Beginning Body Conclusion Capture reader’s attention Preview editorial’s intent (persuade) Body Address issue & offers rationale Point-by-point organization Suggest solutions Answer questions; acknowledge opposition Conclusion Restate opinion & rationales

Editorial - 2 General points: Concise, coherent writing Expresses opinion clearly Specific details support writer’s opinioin, answer readers’ questions Anticipates audience point-of-view Avoids “I” statements (I believe, I think, in my opinion, it seems to me) Maintains polite, courteous tone

Letter Structure Beginning Body Ending Date, return address, recipient’s address, salutation to start Closing & signature to end Beginning Summarize purpose of letter Body Describe issue & propose solutions in orderly manner Use specific detail to support purpose Ending Restate purpose Request action (as necessary)

Letter – 2 General points: Writing is concise, coherent Express purpose (opinion, request) clearly Use specific details to support purpose Anticipate recipient’s POV & concerns Be courteous, polite

Speech Beginning Body Conclusion Break ice Introduce topic Introduce you & your expertise Body Organize carefully to meet purpose Build on logic & reason Appeal to emotions & psychology to gain support Conclusion Restate purpose/viewpoint to gain support

Speech - 2 General points: Build commonality with audience Personal experiences Anticipate audience reaction Acknowledge & respond to opposing arguments Rhetorical devices add interest, enhance message (alliteration, repetition, parallelism, etc.)

Testing Points Answers must be written on the lines printed in the test booklet Do Not write outside the black box that outlines the test book pages Write legibly. Writing too lightly, too small or too large makes writing hard to decipher. Dictionaries & thesauri will be available Review writing process cards provided with test