 January 18, 2012

 The state requires that a writing assessment is to be given in grades 3, 5, 8, and 11.  The results of this test help determine what kind of classes you need to improve your writing skills.  As we’ve mentioned before, failing the writing assessment will qualify you to be in the transitional elective class at RRHS.

 There are two types of writing they may test you on: expository and persuasive.  You get 100 minutes to answer the prompt (just like the mock).  Your writing is scored by trained evaluators. We don’t know who they are or anything about them!

 The state has decided that a 5-paragraph essay is “formulaic writing”. They want to see more than that basic essay.  HOW!  POW!  The HOW! Line and the POW! Line guide you to write more that a 5-paragraph essay. Use them!

 PREWRITING is the most essential step. Unfortunately, it is the step most students will try to skip. DON’T!  Answer the prompt. Ideas counts for 40% of your overall score. Simply focusing your paper on what they want you to write about will help you to do well!  READ YOUR PAPER when you are finished writing it. Read each word!

 Those students who EXCEED on the writing assessment have demonstrated mastery of the English language. Therefore, if you EXCEED on the writing assessment, you will be exempt from the language arts final at the end of the year!  If you MEET, you will receive 10 bonus points on your final!

 Expository writing asks you to explain or teach the reader.  Fill in your HOW! Line as we go over it, and look at the essay example as well.  You will have a quiz on Tuesday, January 17 th over the HOW! and POW! Lines.

 LEAD – dialogue, small movement, thought or feeling  SHOW – use interaction and dialogue to intro topic  MEET – meet your topic; give a brief overview

 Highlight #1 – your first interesting piece of info  Highlight #2 – your second interesting piece of info  Highlight #3 – your third interesting piece of info  HOW! MOMENT – MOST fascinating and compelling piece of info

 CONCLUSION – thought or feelings if short piece; review if longer  Remember – Build up to your HOW! Moment!!!

 Persuasive writing asks you to state your opinion and back it up with the intent to persuade the reader.  Fill in your POW! Line as we go over it, and look at the essay example as well.  You will have a quiz on Tuesday, January 17th over the HOW! and POW! Lines.

 SHAKE – thank your opponent for something; flatter him/her  SHOW – use interaction and dialogue to intro topic  TELL – your opinion

 Round #1 – your first reason  Round #2 – your second reason  POW! Moment – knockdown opponent with strongest argument  KNOCK BACK – your opponent’s predicted final argument

 DO THIS, PLEASE! – call to action  SHAKE – make nice again  REMEMBER – Only use the SHAKE at the beginning and end if you are writing a letter!  REMEMBER – Build up to the POW! Moment!!!