Tackling a Timed Writing Much of this information comes from the following source: Gallagher, Kelly. Teaching Adolescent Writers. Portland: Stenhouse, 2006.
On-Demand Writing Why do we care? State-mandated assessments SAT Advanced Placement Employment
The ABCs (and D) of on-demand writing AA Attack the prompt BB Brainstorm possible answers CC Choose the order of your response DD Detect errors before turning the draft in
A = Attack the Prompt By the time students enter high school, they have learned about many moments in history that have influenced our world today. Think about a moment in history you studied and consider its importance. Write a composition in which you discuss a moment in history. Share its importance in today’s world. Be sure to support the moment with details and examples. Actual prompt doesn’t come until here. There is usually some sort of intro in the form of a quote, thought, or story. READ THIS!
HOW to Attack the Prompt 1. Cross out any unneeded information. 1. This places your focus on what’s most important. Write a composition in which you discuss a moment in history. Share its importance in today’s world. Be sure to support the moment with details and examples. *** We should cross this out because we already KNOW we are writing a composition.
HOW to Attack the Prompt 2. Circle whatever the prompt tells you to DO. - This ensures that you know exactly what you need to do to fully answer the prompt. Write a composition in which you discuss a moment in history. Share its importance in today’s world. Be sure to support the moment with details and examples.
HOW to Attack the Prompt 3. Draw arrows from the verbs to what you should do WITH the verbs. - This draws your focus to EXACTLY what you should do. Write a composition in which you discuss a moment in history. Share its importance in today’s world. Be sure to support the moment with details and examples.
HOW to Attack the Prompt 4. Write step by step directions of how you should write your response. Write a composition in which you discuss a moment in history. Share its importance in today’s world. Be sure to support the moment with details and examples. 1. Discuss – a moment in history 2. Share - its importance 3. Support – details and examples
When you are done with A, it should look like this! By the time students enter high school, they have learned about many moments in history that have influenced our world today. Think about a moment in history you studied and consider its importance. Write a composition in which you discuss a moment in history. Share its importance in today’s world. Be sure to support the moment with details and examples. 1. Discuss – a moment in history 2. Share – its importance 3. Support – details/examples
B=Brainstorm Possible Answers 9/11 Holocaust Declaration of independence Iraq War WWII
B=Brainstorm Possible Answers 9/11 Security -airports -amusement parks -sporting events The moment -4 planes -2 NYC -1 Washington -1 Pennsylvania Patriotism -American flags -pledge of allegiance -flags in restaurants Recognition of dead Economy -airlines -hotels Restaurants -Tourist attractions Suffering -widow -widowers War -Iraq Lots of bombing/deaths -Osama
C=Choose the Order of Your Response 9/11 Security -airports -amusement parks -sporting events The moment -4 planes -2 NYC -1 Washington -1 Pennsylvania Patriotism -American flags -pledge of allegiance -flags in restaurants Recognition of dead Economy -airlines -hotels Restaurants -Tourist attractions Suffering -widow -widowers War -Iraq Lots of bombing/deaths -Osama
D= Detect Errors Before Turning in Draft Reread your essay Fix 1 st draft errors
Time Management and the Timed Writing
Minute 1 – “A” Read the prompt and think about your response. Make sure you understand what is being asked.
Minute 2 – “B” Brainstorm ideas Write down words that come to your mind. Do these words have correlations?
Minute 3 – “B” Take a position Write a thesis – what do you think about the prompt? Make sure the thesis is specific instead of too broad.
Minute 4 “C” Develop an outline – use the blank space under the prompt. Plan on a 4-5 paragraph essay Introduction – Main Points - Conclusion
Minutes Using the outline as a guide – begin writing. Suggested 400 words Use paragraphs Make sure your essay makes sense.
Minute 23 Time check You have about 7 minutes left – make sure you are almost finished. If you are almost finished – focus on the conclusion.
Minutes Finish Conclusion
Minute 28 Read your essay Do you need to add transitions?
Minute 29 Proofread for errors
Minute 30 Reread Relax