Writing On Demand Preparing for 8th grade assessment

Steps to make the right choice and give your best response in the correct mode/form

Using your time wisely (60 minutes) 5 mins: Read both prompts carefully and complete short prewriting on both, e.g., identify key words, list ideas 10 mins: Choose prompt for which you have the most ideas and then complete full pre-write

15 mins: Write first draft 15 mins: Revise first draft, making it clear and complete; edit your work to make it correct 15 mins: Write final draft

Let’s practice Writing to Persuade

Prompt Number One SITUATION: Your site-based council is considering whether or not to sell junk food to students as snacks. They like the money it makes for the school, but worry about students’ health. WRITING TASK: Think about what you’d like to see the school do about snack sales. Write a speech to the site-based council with your suggestions. Convince them to follow your advice.

Prompt Number Two SITUATION: Parents across the country are concerned that their children spend too much time playing video games. WRITING TASK: Write an editorial for a parenting magazine expressing your opinion about the time spent playing video games and convincing parents to accept your opinion.

Cubing the SPAM!

Step One: Identify what you are being asked to do SPAM: Situation, Purpose, Audience, and Mode/Form Circle Situation Underline Purpose Box Audience Encircle Mode/form with (parenthesis)

For example… situation SITUATION: Your site-based council is considering whether or not to sell junk food to students as snacks. They like the money this makes for the school, but worry about students’ health. WRITING TASK: Think about what you’d like to see the school do about snack sales. Write a (speech) to the site-based council with your suggestions. Convince them to follow your advice. audience mode/form purpose

SITUATION: Parents across the country are concerned that their children spend too much time playing video games. TASK: Write (an editorial) for the readers of a parenting magazine expressing your opinion about the time spent playing video games and convincing parents to accept your opinion.

Step two: Identifying Key Words Key words are found in the situation of the writing prompts. Key words help you write the introductory paragraph of your response. Key words help your audience focus on the main ideas of your response.

Step Two: Identify key words Your site-based council is considering whether or not to sell junk food to students as snacks. They like the money this makes for the school but worry about students’ health.

Identifying key words… Parents across the country are concerned that their children spend too much time playing video games.

Step three: List Ideas Snack Sales -- Junk food PROs Money maker for school CONs Two much sugar and fat not good for health Contributes to obesity Quick energy fix doesn’t last Affects paying attention Tastes good and makes you want more

Time spent playing video games Advantages Fun way to spend time Developing game strategies helps ability to think Disadvantages Can become obsession Homework can be neglected Relationships can suffer

Step four: Time to decide… What topic do you know the most about? or What topic do you know the most about and which one appeals to you the most?

Important points to keep in mind Audience: whom are you trying to convince? Purpose: what are you trying to persuade your reader(s) to do, think or believe? Idea Development: use facts and/or opinions to support your ideas Organization: make sure you stick to the required mode/form (letter, article, editorial, speech) and you guide your reader with transitions from one idea to the next

Drafting/Revising Use your prewriting as a guide Engage your reader with a lead Make revisions as you write Anticipate your reader’s questions to guide your writing Stay focused on your purpose Make sure you’ve convinced your reader with an effective conclusion

Editing Make sure: Your sentences are varied and complete You have used language appropriate for your reader and purpose Your spelling is correct You have used correct punctuation

Persuasive Writing Resources Persuasive map: http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/persuasion_map/ Webquest TV or Not TV That is the Question http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/schools/viersmilles/greenl/tvturnoff.html

Adapted from the work of Donna Vincent, Language Arts Consultant, Muhlenberg County Schools by Jennifer Bernhard Literacy Specialist Clark County Schools jennifer.bernhard@clark.kyschools.us