1. Writing Review What do I need to know about the FSA Writes?
What should I expect? Complete your worksheet as we work through the power point.

2. Standards and Learning Targets
I can understand and use affixes.
I can analyze and understand a writing prompt: *What type of essay will I be writing? *Who is my audience? *What is my essay topic?
I can write a grabber and claim or topic sentence for a writing prompt.
LAFS.6.SL.1.2 Interpret information presented in diverse media formats.
LAFS.6.RI.3.7 Integrate information presented in different media or formats to develop a coherent understanding of a topic or issue.
LAFS.6.L.3.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 6 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies. b. Use common, grade-appropriate Greek or Latin affixes and roots.

3. BELL RINGER Write these new Latin Prefixes and their meanings:
micro – small
post – after
in, il, im, ir - not
Select the correct prefix to complete the new word.
______season after the season E. ______possible not possible
______cosm a very small world F. ______erity those who come after us
______legal not legal G. ______regular not regular; strange
______gram one millionth of a gram H. ______complete not complete

4. When is the FSA Writes, and what kind of task is it?
The FSA Writes takes place on Tuesday, February 28.
It is a paper and pencil writing task, which means you will have a text-set with a prompt (just like we have practiced in class).
You will have 120 minutes to complete the FSA Writes.
Will I know ahead of time whether it is an informative or an argumentative prompt?
No, we won’t know what kind of prompt you will get, until you open your text set and analyze your prompt. After you analyze your prompt, you will know exactly what kind of essay to write.

5. What else do I need to know about the FSA Writes?
The writing task will last for 120 minutes, so you will have plenty of time.
You will read 3-4 texts, and you will respond to the prompt.
The prompt is usually on the back of the text set.
Understand the PROMPT, READ the texts, PLAN what you will write, WRITE your essay, REVISE any writing that needs correction
You will have a planning sheet that must be turned in with your text set.
The essay must follow the writing rubric, just like we have practiced in class.

6. What do I do when I start the FSA Writes?
There are 5 steps to the FSA Writing Process.
Remember this: PATRIOTS RUN PRETTY WEIRD RACES The first letter of each word in this acronym stands for:
Prompt – Analyze and understand the prompt
Read – Read the texts; annotate; define words
Plan – Plan what you will write
Write – Write your essay
Revise – Revise your writing, as needed

7. An easy way to remember the 5 steps is to make a 5-pointed star on your paper, and label those points.
On your paper, you will see a 5-pointed star. Label each point with a step in the writing process. Start at the top point, then go clockwise.
Prompt
Revise Read
Write Plan

8. In the space to the right of your star, write:
PATRIOTS RUN PRETTY WEIRD RACES (prompt) (read) (plan) (write) (revise)
Underline the first letter of each word.

9. Once you have analyzed your prompt, then you will know what kind of essay you will be writing: Informative or Argumentative.
Analyzing the prompt BE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND THE PROMPT
The first step of your writing task is to understand the prompt. As a review, let’s go over the steps for analyzing and understanding your writing prompt:
1. Read the prompt all the way through.
2. Circle the kind of essay you will write (argumentative or expository). Remember that the wording might be different. You might see argumentative, arguing, or argue for an argumentative essay. You might see inform, explain, describe, write an expository essay, informative, as just some examples for an informative essay.
3. Underline your audience. Does the prompt tell you who you are writing for?
4. Draw a box around your topic. What are you going to be writing about?

10. What if I am confused about the prompt, and I don’t completely understand which kind of essay I am being asked to write?
Hopefully, this won’t happen and you will have a prompt that is clearly written and is easily understood. (Plus, you are REALLY smart and have done a lot of writing this year - RELAX!)
If this happens and you do get confused, study the directions carefully. They usually have cue words that will help you to know if you are explaining or arguing.
If you are still confused, you cannot go wrong with writing in the argumentative format.

11. Sample Prompts
Write your name and today’s date on your page of sample prompts.
Analyze the first prompt, and be ready to state your writing task when finished.
Your homeroom class has been learning about character, and how to be successful in life. Using the information and examples in the “Successful people of the 21st Century” passage set, write an explanatory essay on what it means to be successful.
Manage your time carefully so that you can Be sure to
*read the passages *use evidence from multiple sources
*plan your response *avoid overly relying on one source
*write your response
*revise and edit your response

12. Share your responses
What is your understanding of the writing task, based on your analysis of the prompt?
Did you notice that the prompt tells you exactly what to do? If you follow these reminders, you cannot go wrong - ALWAYS, ALWAYS read the entire prompt and follow the directions:
Manage your time carefully so that you can Be sure to
*read the passages *use evidence from multiple sources
*plan your response *avoid overly relying on one source
*write your response
*revise and edit your response

13. Write a grabber and an introductory sentence for this sample prompt.
With your Triad . . .
Now that you have analyzed the prompt, practice writing a GRABBER and a TOPIC sentence for the essay you would be writing.
Remember to avoid using questions as grabbers. The best grabbers are interesting facts or quotes from the text set.
Be ready to share your responses.

14. Your Turn
Using the rest of the prompts that are on your paper, complete the practices.
We will be going over the results of your work, once you have had enough time to complete the practices for each of the remaining prompts.

15. PRACTICE PROMPTS REVIEW
I can analyze my responses on the prompt practices to evaluate my success in analyzing a writing prompt.
I can write an expository essay, supporting ideas with relevant evidence and elaboration.
LAFS.6.SL.1.2 Interpret information presented in diverse media formats.
LAFS.6.W.1.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.

16. Prompt 2
You have been asked to write an argumentative essay to the school board in which you argue whether or not banning all electronic media for a week would be good for children’s education. Your essay should be based on the set of ideas and concepts found in the “The Pros and Cons of Social Media” text sets.
Manage your time carefully so that you can Be sure to
*read the passages *include a claim
*plan your response *address counterclaims
*write your response *use evidence from multiple sources
*revise and edit your response *avoid overly relying on one source

17. Manage your time carefully so that you can Be sure to
Prompt 3
Write an informational essay about the relationship between clothing styles and developments in clothing creation. Your essay must be based on ideas, concepts, and information from the “Clothing Over Time” passage set.
Manage your time carefully so that you can Be sure to
*read the passages *use evidence from multiple sources
*plan your response *avoid overly relying on one source
*write your response
*revise and edit your response

18. Prompt 4
You have been asked to write an argumentative essay for your school’s blog in which you support or oppose the use of an artist’s music in advertising. Use information from the “Should Musicians Change their Tune” passage set in your essay.
Manage your time carefully so that you can Be sure to
*read the passages *include a claim
*plan your response *address counterclaims
*write your response *use evidence from multiple sources
*revise and edit your response *avoid overly relying on one source

19. Prompt 5
Write an essay in which you take a position on whether or not mistakes are a key part of discovery. Use the information presented in the passages to support your points. Make sure to include information from all the passages in your essay.
Manage your time carefully so that you can Be sure to
*read the passages *include a claim
*plan your response *address counterclaims
*write your response *use evidence from multiple sources
*revise and edit your response *avoid overly relying on one source

20. Manage your time carefully so that you can Be sure to
Prompt 6
Write an explanatory essay to inform fellow citizens about the advantages of limiting car usage. Your essay must be based on ideas and information that can be found in the passage set.
Manage your time carefully so that you can Be sure to
*read the passages *use evidence from multiple sources
*plan your response *avoid overly relying on one source
*write your response
*revise and edit your response

21. Manage your time carefully so that you can Be sure to
Practice Expository Essay You will have today and tomorrow to complete a practice with expository writing.
Your social studies class is researching both traditional and unexpected heroes. Using the information and examples found in the “Courage and Heroism” passage set, write an informative essay on what it means to be courageous.
Manage your time carefully so that you can Be sure to
*read the passages *use evidence from multiple sources
*plan your response *avoid overly relying on one source
*write your response
*revise and edit your response

22. Manage your time carefully so that you can Be sure to
Your social studies class is researching both traditional and unexpected heroes. Using the information and examples found in the “Courage and Heroism” passage set, write an informative essay on what it means to be courageous.
Manage your time carefully so that you can Be sure to
*read the passages *use evidence from multiple sources
*plan your response *avoid overly relying on one source
*write your response
*revise and edit your response

23. Remember . . . Expository and Informative essays EXPLAIN.
You are being asked to EXPLAIN what it means to be courageous.
This means you will:
*DEFINE courage
*Provide EXAMPLES of courage, and EXPLAIN why they are good examples of courage.

24. PATRIOTS (prompt)
RUN (read)
PRETTY (plan)
WEIRD (write)
RACES (revise)