Writing Proficiency Overview Writing for Proficiency

Format and Scoring Students must write two essays on two topics: Topic A (usually expository) Topic B (usually persuasive) The essays are scored holistically (given an overall score). Each essay is scored on a 1 to 6 scale. Students must earn a combined score of 7 to pass.

Types of Essays Expository Students have to explain something how to do something comparison-contrast problem-solution cause-effect “An old saying states there is ‘beauty in simplicity.’ Discuss important steps you can take to simplify your life.”

Types of Essays Persuasive Students must take a position and defend it. Essays must include a claim or opinion Essays must include support or evidence for claim “‘It’s not what you know, but who you know that counts.’ Argue for or against this statement. Provide reasons for your point of view.”

Types of Essays Write E if the prompt is expository and P if the prompt is persuasive: As a senior, you have much more experience operating in high school. Explain to an incoming freshman what it takes to be successful in high school. Some countries require that all men and women provide two years of military service to their country before they reach the age of 25. Argue for or against this requirement.

Types of Essays 3. Some schools in the United States require that students volunteer for several hours each semester to help provide service to the community. Do you think that students should be required to volunteer to help in the community? Write an essay explaining your position. 4. Our society has many problems. Identify one of these problems that you believe is the most important. Explain the problem, and suggest a possible solution to it. 5. If you were given the opportunity to spend two hours each week working on a community task of your choice, explain where you would volunteer and why, what you would accomplish, and how it would benefit your environment.

Types of Essays E (how to) P E (problem-solution) E (cause-effect)

Scoring Each essay is scored from 1 to 6. Two scorers score each essay and the scores are averaged. The average scores for the two essays are combined to create a total score. In order for a student to pass, the total score much be a 7 or higher. Read the scores for Pete and Pam. Use the scorer’s scores for each essay to determine whether or not they passed the test.

Scoring Pete Pam Topic A 4 and 4  average = 4 Topic B  4 and 3  average = 3.5 Total = 7.5  PASS Pam Topic A 3 and 4  average = 3.5 Topic B  3 and 3  average = 3 Total = 6.5  FAIL

Writing Traits Ideas Ideas are the main message and purpose Ideas should be focused and developed Details should be relevant and include examples, observations, and information Ideas should be interesting and clearly relate to the topic

Writing Traits Organization Organization is the manner in which the ideas are arranged A well-organized essay has an inviting introduction, developed body with relevant details, and a satisfying conclusion. A well-organized uses thoughtful transitions to relate and connect ideas. The organization of the essay should match the purpose (cause-effect, problem-solution, chronological order, etc.)

Writing Traits Voice Voice refers to the way that the writer expresses himself or herself. Voice shows personality and commitment to the topic. The essay should sound natural and authentic. Voice includes word choice: specific vocabulary lively words

Writing Traits Conventions Conventions =mechanical correctness Correct spelling, capitalization, punctuation, grammar/usage, and paragraphing Errors should not interfere with meaning Conventions includes sentence fluency: Essays should include a variety of sentences (simple, compound, and complex). Sentences should be combined correctly.

Writing Traits For each scenario, identify the problem as being related to I (ideas), O (organization), V (voice), or C (conventions): Pete’s complete lack of punctuation makes it difficult for the reader to understand where sentences and ideas end. Pam does not include enough reasons and details to support her opinion. Pete sounds like a robot. His essay is dry, boring, and has no personality. Pete has great details, but there is no clear beginning or end to his essay. Some of the details that Pam includes don’t seem to fit the topic.

Writing Traits C I V O

Score This! Essay 1

Score This! Essay 1 (Score: 4) Focused with some details Discusses teachers who waste students’ time with crossword puzzles Could include more details and explanations--How would having a better environment with teachers who like their jobs help students perform better on tests? Some structure Vague introduction No conclusion Clear voice The reader can sense the student’s frustration with teachers who don’t teach. Conventions are mostly okay Some run-ons

Score This! Essay 2

Score This! Essay 2 (Score: 3) Ideas are focused but not developed Some ideas conflict (Pressure is bad in the U.S., but good in other countries?) There are not examples or observations to support what the writer is saying. Essay is organized in that it has an introduction, three body paragraphs, and conclusion. Each paragraph is only one sentence (lack of ideas). Conventions are okay (except for some spelling errors). Writer uses a variety of sentence structures.

Score This! Essay 3 (Score: 2) Essay 4 (Score: 5)