2009 PSSA Writing Assessment Self-preparation Abington Senior High School

Introduction This test is required by state law for all 11 th grade students. There are five test days: –February 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 in English class 20 multiple-choice questions (Conventions) Informational Essay Persuasive Essay

Introduction Scorers will use two rubrics for each essay – one is mode-specific (Informational or Persuasive) the other is for conventions

Function: Informational Present information through reporting, explaining, directing, summarizing, and defining Organize and analyze information through comparing, contrasting, and relaying cause/effect Evaluate information through judging, ranking, or deciding

Features: Informational A single point made through content organized in a way that meaningfully supports that point Content that has been “sorted” into categories of ideas that explain the point through examples, anecdotes, details, and facts Analysis that includes explanation Conventions, tone and voice appropriate to the point

Function: Persuasive State and support a position, opinion or issue Defend, refute, or argue

Features: Persuasive A single point argued through content organized in a way that meaningfully supports that point Content that has been “sorted” into reasons that support the argument through specific examples, anecdotes, details, and facts Analysis that includes explanation Conventions, tone and voice appropriate to the point and the audience

Sample Prompt Informational Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Self-trust is the first secret of success.” Why is it necessary for a person to trust him or herself to succeed? Write an essay that explains your understanding of this quotation.

Sample Prompt Informational What does the prompt require the writer to do (key words, task)? What evidence might you use to write this essay? How would you arrange that evidence? Write a sample thesis statement.

Informational Rubric

Sample Prompt: Persuasive Some people feel that there is always a best way to do something. Others feel that a variety of solutions exist for every problem. Is there always a “right” answer? Write an essay to persuade others that your opinion is a valid one.

Sample Prompt: Persuasive What does the prompt require the writer to do (key words, task)? What evidence might you use to write this essay? How would you arrange that evidence? Write a sample thesis statement.

Persuasuvie Rubric

Persuasive Practice One of the major differences between persuasive writing and informational writing is that persuasive writing is much more audience-linked. Who needs to be convinced? Is the writer’s goal that the reader think and/or act differently? What does the writer want the reader to do/think?

Persuasive Practice FOR EXAMPLE: A local school board plans to change the school year from 10 to 12 months. The school board wants to know what students think of this plan. Write a letter to persuade the school board to support your point of view.

Persuasive Practice Persuasive writing also differs from informational in that informational writing relies on facts and logic to support its argument, whereas persuasive writing uses facts and logic along with emotional and ethical appeals to be convincing.

Persuasive Practice Logos: Most of the students I eat lunch with earn most of their money through summer jobs such as life guarding or camp counseling. Ethos: As a college- bound student, my learning is at stake. (NOTE: Ethos usually appeals to the audience’s sense of compassion rather than juvenile reasons like “this is stupid.) Pathos: My mother has recently returned to work and counts on me to babysit for my younger siblings during the summer. OR My parents count on my summer job to contribute to my college education. Considering the audience, what kind of appeal would be most effective in this case? What evidence would you use?

Conventions Conventions are not a part of your score on the persuasive or informational essays, but rather are a separate score. Your conventions score is based on both your use of conventions in the essays you’ve written and your responses to the multiple-choice questions.

Conventions

Your class is preparing a time capsule to be opened in fifteen years. Only a limited number of items will be selected to place in the capsule. What would you choose to best represent your generation? Write an essay persuading the selection committee to accept the item you have chosen.