PSSA WRITING PREP

T HREE TYPES OF WRITTEN RESPONSES Expository (also called explanatory or informational) Argumentative Narrative

E XPOSITORY WRITING RESPONSE There are five types of expository responses: Illustration Classification Cause/Effect Compare/Contrast Process

I LLUSTRATION (TO CLARIFY BY THE USE OF EXAMPLES) Need THREE examples. This follows the basic 5 paragraph essay format. Introduction 1 st example 2 nd example 3 rd example Conclusion

C LASSIFICATION ( SYSTEMATIC GROUPING INTO CATEGORIES BASED ON SHARED CHARACTERISICS ) Looking for THREE categories Use 5 paragraph essay format Introduction 1 st characteristic 2 nd characteristic 3 rd characteristic Conclusion

C AUSE /E FFECT ( AN EVENT OR ACTION THAT CAUSES SOMETHING ELSE TO HAPPEN ) Looking for 3 causes OR Looking for 3 effects NOT LOOKING FOR 3 OF EACH!!! Use a Venn Diagram

C OMPARE AND CONTRAST ( HOW THINGS ARE THE SAME / DIFFERENT ) Each paragraph should be set up s/d (same/different), s/d, s/d. Example: “X is similar to Y in that... However, X differs from Y in that...” Do this 2 more times. THREE body paragraphs, in which EACH paragraph addresses BOTH the similarity and the difference. Do NOT write one paragraph about similarities and a second paragraph about differences.

P ROCESS ( A SERIES OF ACTIONS THAT BRING ABOUT A RESULT ) Looking for THREE steps: Preparation (get all your ingredients out) Action (mix ingredients together in the proper order) Follow-up (bake and then enjoy)

A RGUMENTATIVE WRITING RESPONSE MUST state right out—should/should not happen. Example: “The school board should keep the dress code.” OR “The school board should not keep the dress code.” The persuasive prompt requires a SIX paragraph essay format. Introduction Reason #1 Reason #2 Reason #3 Body #4 (Counterargument) Conclusion

A RGUMENTATIVE WRITING RESPONSE Body paragraph #4 is where you acknowledge the opposing belief. Body paragraphs should be arranged in the order that you are working up to your strongest argument. So, Body #1 is the weakest point, Body #2 is a little stronger, Body #3 is the strongest.

N ARRATIVE WRITING RESPONSE Narrative writing tells a story. It may be fiction or nonfiction. Whether fiction or nonfiction, narrative writing includes characters, setting, conflict, and theme. This type of writing makes the reader feel as if the story was being told directly to him or her. It does not have to be factual ; it just has to be believable.

N ARRATIVE WRITING RESPONSE The plot of your narrative should be planned out using: Who What Where When Why

N ARRATIVE WRITING RESPONSE “This bread is hard.” “My heart was beating really fast.” “He walked across the stage to accept his award.” “This bread is as hard as a rock.” “My heart felt like it would leap out of my chest!” “He felt as if he were walking on air as he climbed the stairs to accept his award.” Instead of this:Say this:

N ARRATIVE WRITING RESPONSE What if I can’t think of anything to write?!? No one is actually going to check to make sure your story is true. Even if the prompt is unusual, make your response sound believable. For example, if you are asked about your favorite trip, don’t answer, “my trip to the moon.” Instead, say, “my trip to Washington, DC” even if you have never been there—it will sound more believable.

ELA PSSA TEST April 13, 14, 15, and 16 Do your best! Check your work! Good luck!