PLANNING YOUR RESPONSE TO A PSSA PROMPT – PRE-WRITING Assuring Proficiency in: FOCUS CONTENT ORGANIZATION

Using your Pre- Writing Time Wisely Do not cheat yourself of the Pre-Writing time If your beloved instructor were allowed… he would go around during the first ten minutes of the PSSA Writing test and smack, upside of the head, anyone who is already drafting … In fact, it is rumored he has done so in the past!

Using your Pre- Writing Time Wisely Pencil directly on the prompt itself, circle any audience that may be suggested. Role playing to this audience impresses evaluators! Refer to this audience in each paragraph if possible. If there is not even a hint of a suggested audience …go to the Default Audience … INTELLIGENT, ADULT AMERICANS

Using your Pre- Writing Time Wisely Back to the typed prompt. Now look to underline all tasks you are expected to perform. Anticipate at least 2 tasks, this is how they try to trick you and get you to fail! You get one and miss the other ergo getting only half, a 50% Be sure to see what the prompt expects of the you the writer. This will often dictate the number of paragraphs you should employ in your response.

Do what you are told to do… Not what you want to do…but what you are directed to do.

Using your Pre- Writing Time Wisely Once assured of a 4 for Focus… let’s say in 75 seconds… now look for content and organization. In the first few minutes determine your Outline’s Roman Numerals

Do you need a 5 paragraph structure and a Thesis? ?

NO

Do you need a 5 paragraph structure and a Thesis? But, there’s nothing wrong with this if it fits the prompt.

Do you need an Introduction? ?

They’re rating you on a scale of 1-4 in regards to Organization…what do you think?

Do you need a Conclusion? ?

They’re rating you on a scale of 1-4 in regards to Organization…what do you think?

How many paragraphs should I have in the Body?

That depends upon the prompt. What does the prompt tell you to do? Does the prompt suggest 1 task or 2 ? Does the prompt lend itself to a 3 part thesis?

Do I have time to create a Hook?

If you address Focus adequately in your 75 seconds… (don’t cheat yourself of this grade) If you can Organize the basic structure of the Roman Numerals as to how many paragraphs you require in the next 2 or 3 minutes… (Don’t cheat yourself of this grade) If you can find Content and provide some concrete support of each Roman numeral in the Body… (don’t cheat yourself of this grade)

Do I have time to create a Hook? If you address Focus adequately in your 75 seconds… (don’t cheat yourself of this grade) If you can Organize the basic structure of the Roman Numerals as to how many paragraphs you require in the next 2 or 3 minutes… (Don’t cheat yourself of this grade) If you can find Content and provide some concrete support of each Roman numeral in the Body… (don’t cheat yourself of this grade) If you can Handle Focus, Organization, and Content in 5 or 6 minutes, then you have some time to consider a strong Hook, or Intro/ Conclusion that works full Circle. You can also consider this as you draft the body!

Remember… if you are Grade Conscious Then 3/5 th of the grade comes in the Pre-Writing Phase of the Writing Process. Only a fool would shortchange Pre-Writing.

Are you a Fool?