The GHSWT… How to Pass it: K. Matteson

Persuasive Writing… The Georgia High School Writing Test is a test of persuasive writing. In persuasion, the writer assumes a position on an issue and uses language to influence the reader.  The purpose is to express a writer ’ s opinion on a subject either explicitly or implicitly.  Through the support provided, the writer presents a convincing point of view.  Support for the writer ’ s position should include evidence such as logical appeals, emotional appeals, facts (which may or may not be accurate), personal experiences, extended narratives, etc. The Georgia High School Writing Test is a test of persuasive writing. In persuasion, the writer assumes a position on an issue and uses language to influence the reader.  The purpose is to express a writer ’ s opinion on a subject either explicitly or implicitly.  Through the support provided, the writer presents a convincing point of view.  Support for the writer ’ s position should include evidence such as logical appeals, emotional appeals, facts (which may or may not be accurate), personal experiences, extended narratives, etc.

Prepare Yourself to Write / Read the Writing Situation and Directions for Writing carefully.  Brainstorm for ideas.  Consider how to address your audience.  Decide what ideas to include and how to organize them. / Write only in English. / Read the Writing Situation and Directions for Writing carefully.  Brainstorm for ideas.  Consider how to address your audience.  Decide what ideas to include and how to organize them. / Write only in English.

/ Writing Situation Historically, Americans have shown how much they value education by providing free education for all students from kindergarten through high school. Many Americans now believe that education should be extended to include free or low cost college or vocational training after high school. Do you believe that some form of education should be provided to high school graduates at no cost or at a low cost? / Directions for Writing Write a letter to your legislator clearly expressing your position on the issue of free or low cost education or training for high school graduates. Convince the legislator to support or oppose free or low cost education. / Writing Situation Historically, Americans have shown how much they value education by providing free education for all students from kindergarten through high school. Many Americans now believe that education should be extended to include free or low cost college or vocational training after high school. Do you believe that some form of education should be provided to high school graduates at no cost or at a low cost? / Directions for Writing Write a letter to your legislator clearly expressing your position on the issue of free or low cost education or training for high school graduates. Convince the legislator to support or oppose free or low cost education.

Make your Paper Meaningful: / Use your knowledge and/or personal experiences that are related to the topic. / Express a clear point of view. / Fully support your argument with specific details, examples, and convincing reasons. / Include an appeal to logic and/or emotions.  Present your ideas in a clear and logical order. / Stay on topic. / Use your knowledge and/or personal experiences that are related to the topic. / Express a clear point of view. / Fully support your argument with specific details, examples, and convincing reasons. / Include an appeal to logic and/or emotions.  Present your ideas in a clear and logical order. / Stay on topic.

Make your Paper interesting  Use examples and details that would be convincing to your audience.  Use appropriate voice that shows your interest in the topic. / Use precise, descriptive, vivid words.  Vary the type, structure, and length of your sentences. / Use effective transitions.  Use examples and details that would be convincing to your audience.  Use appropriate voice that shows your interest in the topic. / Use precise, descriptive, vivid words.  Vary the type, structure, and length of your sentences. / Use effective transitions.

A Look at an old Test prompt:  Writing Situation: When your grades began to fall, your parents said that you would have to quit your part-time job. Because you must make your own car payments, this decision means that you will not be able to keep your car. You are concerned that you will get upset if you try to talk to your parents. Instead, you decide to write them.

Directions for Writing / Write your parents a letter in which you try to convince them that you should be given another chance to improve your grades without giving up your job and car. Make your argument clear, complete, and convincing.

Things to identify in the Prompt: 1. Issue 2. Task 3. Audience 1. Issue 2. Task 3. Audience

New Requirement / Concession to the Opposition. / Can be anywhere in the paper, but works best close to the end, perhaps right before your strongest argument. THIS IS REQUIRED! YOUR SCORE WILL BE CONSIDERABLY LOWER IF YOU DO NOT INCLUDE IT! / Concession to the Opposition. / Can be anywhere in the paper, but works best close to the end, perhaps right before your strongest argument. THIS IS REQUIRED! YOUR SCORE WILL BE CONSIDERABLY LOWER IF YOU DO NOT INCLUDE IT!

Effective Ways to Open a Paper: / Surprising fact or quotation / A question about the issue / Dialogue / Introduction of main points / Quotation  Dramatic moment / Surprising fact or quotation / A question about the issue / Dialogue / Introduction of main points / Quotation  Dramatic moment

Effective Ways to Close a Paper / Statement of opinion / Resolution of controversy / Call to action / Presentation of solution / Use of famous quotation / Statement of opinion / Resolution of controversy / Call to action / Presentation of solution / Use of famous quotation

Let’s Practice / Now, we’re going to write an in-class, timed essay. You will have approximately one hour to brainstorm and write a response. I will grade it to give you an idea of where you stand on the current grading rubric.

A Real Question: / Writing Situation: For generations, critics have complained about the influence music has on young people. Yet music continues to be an important part of a teenager ﾕ s life. What music is appropriate for teens? / Directions for Writing: Write a speech to these critics explaining the type or types of music that you consider appropriate for teens. Present a well-developed argument. / Writing Situation: For generations, critics have complained about the influence music has on young people. Yet music continues to be an important part of a teenager ﾕ s life. What music is appropriate for teens? / Directions for Writing: Write a speech to these critics explaining the type or types of music that you consider appropriate for teens. Present a well-developed argument.

/ Writing Situation The local school board of education is considering requiring high school students to wear a standard school uniform. The requirement would go into effect at the beginning of the next school year. The board has provided several months for interested persons to react to the proposal. Decide how you feel about the proposed requirement. Directions for Writing Write a speech that will be read at a school board meeting and later published in the local newspaper. Clearly express your position and include support to convince board members to agree with your viewpoint.

/ Writing Situation: Many professional athletes earn millions of dollars each year while teachers, nurses, firefighters, and law enforcement officers earn much less per year. Some people think that it is not fair that professional athletes earn such high salaries compared to these public servants. / Directions for Writing: Is it fair that professional athletes earn such high salaries compared to these public servants? Why? Why not? / Writing Situation: Many professional athletes earn millions of dollars each year while teachers, nurses, firefighters, and law enforcement officers earn much less per year. Some people think that it is not fair that professional athletes earn such high salaries compared to these public servants. / Directions for Writing: Is it fair that professional athletes earn such high salaries compared to these public servants? Why? Why not?