1. Writing Assessment Preparation
Persuasive Writing
Writing Assessment Preparation

2. What is the Writing Assessment?
The WA is a writing test given to 11th graders to measure their skills in writing a persuasive essay. The following areas are scored:
Organization
Language and sentence variety
Grammar
Content—explains ideas

3. What is the Writing Assessment?
The WA is also a timed essay.
You will have 35 minutes to complete one essay.
Your essay is graded as a rough draft.
The prompt or topic is revealed on the day of the WA.

4. What is the Writing Assessment?
Your essay will be given one of the following scores based on the areas mentioned in the previous slide:
6: Outstanding: 99
5: Strong: 93
4: Competent: 85
3: Limited: 75
2: Flawed: 70
1: Deficient: 69

5. Writing Assessment Tips
First, be prepared the day of the test by doing the following:
Getting a good night’s rest
Eating breakfast
Coming prepared with a blue or black pen
Paying close attention during practice sessions

6. Writing Assessment Tips
Next, do the following when you are given the prompt:
Listen to all instructions.
Read the prompt slowly and carefully. Read it a second time to be sure you understand. Mark any important words
Plan out your thesis statement and details before you begin writing.

7. Writing Assessment Tips
When you are ready to begin your essay, remember the following:
Avoid “I,” “you,” and slang
Having said that, do not be afraid to use your own experiences to defend your idea.
Start off with a strong intro that contains two items:
Hook
Thesis statement

8. The Hook
Start your paper off with the HOOK. This gets the reader’s attention.
A quote
An anecdote ( a little story)
A question
Imagery
Dialogue

9. Writing Assessment Tips
Thesis statement (This follows your hook.)
Part one: Your opinion
Part two: 3 reasons to back it up
Remember to choose a side!
Example:
Students should not have to wear uniforms because they are too costly, are difficult to find, and do not allow students to be creative.

10. Writing Assessment Tips
After writing the intro, which includes background info and a thesis statement, organize your essay the following way:
I. Intro
II. Reason 1
A. Detail
B. Detail
III. Reason 2
IV. Reason 3
V. Conclusion

11. The Body Paragraphs
Every body paragraph will have a topic sentence that ties back in with your thesis.
The body paragraphs should follow the order of your thesis.
Explain your points thoroughly! Use some specific examples.
Close each paragraph with a clincher sentence.

12. Body Paragraphs
Remember the 3:2 rule: 3 reasons and 2 details per reason.
Example:
Reason: Uniforms are too costly.
Detail 1: A shirt for dress code cost thirty dollars compared to another shirt for ten.
Detail 2: Finding dress code compliant shirts takes a lot of time and traveling, which is expensive due to gas costs.

13. More Tips
Also, as a general rule, write five sentences per paragraph. One or two are not enough to develop your argument!
Use transitions as well to help organize your essay.
Examples of transitions:
First In summation
Next Primarily
Also Moreover
In addition to Finally
In conclusion As a result

14. The Conclusion Restate the prompt in different words!
Restate your three reasons in different words!
End with a clincher sentence—something that drives your idea home or a good quote that is relevant or a call to action.

15. Writing Assessment Tips
Here are a few more tips to help you score your best on this essay:
Proofread your work! Correct on the paper as needed.
Plan before you write.
Your audience likes young people, so use your own experiences.
Use some complex sentences and variety of word choice—This can cause a 4 to turn into a 5.

16. More Tips “alot” is not a word “theirselves/theirself” is not a word
“hisself” is not a word
“In this paper,” “I believe,” “I think,” “I feel,” “As I said before” are not good stylistic choices
Avoid major errors—fragments and run-ons—they will lower your score!

17. Writing Assessment Tips
Normally, scores are reported around May.
Remember to not put any identifying information in your essay.
Remember to relax and use all the time to write the best essay possible!

18. Good Luck!