Final Reminders for FCAT Writes Do’s and Don’ts

DO… Remember the upside-down triangle for intro (Hook, Intro to Topic, and Thesis) and triangle for conclusion (re-state thesis, clincher). Remember your thesis statement must go at the END of your introduction. Remember you MUST include your reasons in your thesis statement IN YOUR INTRO and you must make sure they match the rest of your essay to avoid disorganization.

DO… PLAN! Even if you just jot a few things down before, it’ll save you erasing a whole essay later. A high percentage of students who score well plan ahead. Use anecdotes; Use figurative language whenever possible, such as imagery, similes, metaphor, personification, etc. Save your strongest reason for LAST! Use topic sentences instead of transitions whenever possible (more of this later) SHOW THE READER, DON’T JUST TELL THEM!

DO… (continued) Elaborate! Explain yourselves. You have to be explicit with the reader. PROOFREAD!! The less avoidable and careless mistakes you make, the better chances you have of earning a good score. Remember the difference between « their, » « there, » and « they’re. » Remember « your » and « you’re. » Remember « to, » « two, » and « too. » Do not use run-on sentences. Whenever possible, split up your sentences into two! Remember basic rules of capitalization!!

DON’T… Use statistics. It is probably much more effective if you state a more generic and plausible fact than a statistic. Be formulaic. Write outside the box. Make your essay stand out from the rest. OWN your essay! How? Refer to the « DO » slides. Use the word « it » so much. Assume the reader doesn’t remember anything and you need to constantly remind them of what you’re talking about!

AVOID… Transitions whenever possible. You can use them within the essay (however, moreover, furthermore, thus), but at the beginning of your paragraphs you can use topic sentences just as effectively. If you will use transitions, avoid simple transitions such as « first, second, third, lastly, in conclusion » Avoid making your essay sound forced. They will see right through it.

AVOID… (cont’d) Using such phrases as « I believe… » « I think… » « My opinion is… » « My first/second/last reason… » « Now I’m going to explain/persuade… » Using simple rhetorical questions such as « Don’t you think…. ? » Repetition. This is where proofreading helps so you don’t say the same thing over and over again. Using weak « to be » verbs. If you use them, change them to stronger action verbs.

The following are questions to consider when looking over your papers. Is the topic addressed? Does the essay have focus? How many supporting details are included in the essay? Are my ideas connected? Is the writing meaningful? If I had more time, what would I add? What might the reader enjoy knowing more about?

FINALLY… Eat a good, not-too-heavy breakfast Relax and believe in yourselves – « Defeat the Huns » – Laugh in its face like Mr. Halloway laughed in the Dust Witch’s face – Give them Fuddruckers burgers, not McDonald’s

“When you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way, implicitly and unquestionable.” ~ Walt Disney “All it takes is Faith and Trust” ~ Peter Pan