1. Preparing for the College Writing Examination

2. Description of the College Writing Examination
Essay examination
Approximately 400 words
Allowed 3 hours
Writing materials/computer provided

3. Essay Examination
Response to your choice of several prompts that ask you to respond with general knowledge;
Approximate length: 5-6 paragraphs (minimum 400 words)

4. Qualities of a Well-Written Essay
Unity
Development
Coherence

5. Unity The essay clearly responds to the test prompt.
The essay contains a clear and appropriate thesis statement.
All of the supporting details relate directly to the thesis -- the work stays on topic.
The essay follows an appropriate pattern of organization.

6. Development
The introduction gives enough information to prepare the reader for your approach to the subject.

7. Development
The body paragraphs have enough examples and details to show the relevance of the supporting points.
The details in body paragraphs do not go off on tangents.

8. Development
The conclusion provides a sense of closure by showing the consequences of the thesis
If the thesis is true (as you’ve proven with the body), then the reader now realizes that something new is true.

9. Coherence
The writer uses “Standard College English” conventions for sentence completeness and clarity.
The writer chooses appropriate words for the writing situation.

10. Fused (run-on) Sentences Verb Agreement Errors
“Killer Errors”
Sentence Fragments
Fused (run-on) Sentences
Verb Agreement Errors
Meaningless Verb Tense Shifts
Over-reliance on Passive Verbs

11. “Killer Errors” Errors in pronoun agreement
Vague or missing pronoun antecedents
Misplaced or dangling modifiers.
Significant Punctuation Errors
Commas
Semicolons
Apostrophes

12. Assessment of CWE
Two readers, who score the work on a scale of 1 to 3, read each essay.
If readers’ scores vary, a third reader examines the essay.
Readers use the criteria described above concerning the essay’s unity, development, and coherence.

13. Assessment of CWE: Scoring
“1”: Your writing shows serious weaknesses. Please make an appointment in the Writing Center to make a plan for improving your writing skills.

14. Assessment of CWE: Scoring
“2”: Your writing shows some flaws, and you should make an appointment at the Writing Center to review your essay.

15. “3”: You pass!!

16. Now let’s practice! Sample prompt Writing Process Punctuation Review
Pronoun Review

17. Sample Prompt
Write an essay about someone you have met whose way of life or view of the world differs greatly from your own. Explain in detail how that person’s lifestyle or view of the world differs from yours. Discuss what you have learned about yourself from having come in contact with that person.

18. Understanding the prompt
Turn the prompt into a statement:
___________________ is someone whose view of the world is very different from mine. Although _______________ believes _______________________, I believe _______________________. We don’t agree on this issue, but I have learned _______________ from this person.

19. Writing Process Steps Planning the essay Prewriting Drafting Editing
Proofreading

20. Planning Plan your essay
Introduction: General background information and thesis
Body paragraph #1: Who the other person is
Body paragraph #2: What the other person believes
Body paragraph #3: What I believe
Conclusion: What I have learned from the person

21. Drafting
Consider writing the body paragraphs first -- then add a meaningful introduction that prepares the reader for your topic and an effective conclusion that shows the reader the consequences of your main idea.

22. Editing
Compare your outline with your draft to be sure you included all important information.
Use a highlighter to identify words that might be misused or misspelled.
Use the dictionary and writing handbook provided to look up errors.
Eliminate unnecessary details or redundant words and phrases -- and don’t count words!

23. Proofreading Check to be sure you haven’t omitted words
Double check common errors
There/their/they’re
alot
Using “they” to refer to a single person or indefinite pronoun (everyone)
it’s = it is
then refers to time/than compares two things

24. In closing Take the exam seriously and plan to use the whole 3 hours.
Use some form of prewriting to help you to plan the essay.
Proofread!

25. Resources Available at CADE
Writing Center tutors, who will review a writing sample and make recommendations for skills for you to review
Writing Under Pressure Workshop offered weekly.
The CADE website provides links to information on writing and grammar under “Student Resources.”

26. GOOD LUCK!