1. GAD Online Essay
What to Expect
Created by A. Tait 2008
Updated 2016

2. IMPORTANT DATES FEBRUARY 2 & 3 3:30 PM FEBRUARY 6 & 7 3:30 PM
Mandatory login practice for online essay competition
FEBRUARY 6 & :30 PM
State competition essay event online

3. Types Of Essays Expository Persuasive
Explains, defines, or interprets a given subject
Also includes compare/contrast essays
Persuasive
Tries to convince the reader about an idea
Must be a clearly-focused argument for one side of the issue

4. Essay Competition Online
50 minutes to pre-write, plan, organize, draft, and write a final draft
Choice of three prompts might be on any subject area: art, music, literature, science, social science, etc.

6. Final Essay Score 80% of final essay score 20% of final essay score
Focus/Scope
Organization
Content/Development
20% of final essay score
Language/Style
Conventions

7. Step 1: Reading the Prompt
ANSWER THE ENTIRE PROMPT!
Every prompt contains:
Issue: the subject or topic
Purpose: what the completed essay should do
Persuade
Explain
Defend
Task: how the essay should complete the purpose
Analyze the different sides of an issue
Compare and contrast two issues or topics
Cite examples to support your position
No more than 5 minutes

8. Step 2: Plan/Prewrite Decide on a position
Determine evidence to support your position
Collect, list, and organize ideas to use in the essay
10 minutes
You might use:
brainstorming mapping
jot list graphic organizer

9. Evaluate… Does the plan include ALL content required by the prompt?
Are the ideas appropriate and fully developed with specific details, examples, etc.?
Are the introduction and conclusion approximately the same length and quality without repetition?

10. Step 3: Writing the Essay
Introduction
Strong lead
Clear, focused thesis statement
Body
Clear and focused
Ideas are supported with evidence
Conclusion
Leaves the reader with the idea or impression you want to leave
30 minutes

11. Step 4: Revising, Editing, & Proofreading
Reread what you have written
Make any necessary changes
Reread after making changes one more time
Look at:
Effectiveness -- support and evidence
Clarity and focus
Completion of the entire prompt
Conventions, language, etc.
5 minutes

12. Online Essay Specifics
Arrive at least minutes before competition (you cannot log on early)
If you are late, you do NOT receive extra time.
Use Internet Explorer or newest version of Chrome ONLY – no other screens or programs may be open during testing
Entire team must write at the same time

13. Created by A. Tait 2014

14. Do not use CAPS lock.
Type both exactly as shown.

15. Created by A. Tait 2008

16. Competition Instructions
Only one student per computer station
Log on first, before planning
Touch a key on the keyboard every 5-10 minutes so you will not be logged off (users logged off after 15 minutes of no activity)
Press the “Save” button as often as possible during testing

17. You can use your username here.

18. Created by A. Tait 2014

19. Created by A. Tait 2008

20. More Instructions
When the program is saving an essay, portions of the top bar will turn green. No green = no save.
Do NOT use Back, Forward, Refresh, or Reload keys during competition (will erase the essay
You may not leave area until all essay tests are complete and paper collected.

21. Time Remaining
You have only 50 minutes.
Prompt Options

22. Press “Save” as often as possible during testing.
Time remaining
You have 50 minutes total.
Chosen prompt
Skip lines between paragraphs.

23. Reminders Skip lines between paragraphs
Do not put your name, school, or the prompt on your essay
Make sure you’ve answered the complete prompt

24. IMPORTANT!
Essays are anonymous to the judges, but not to the coordinators
Things that are inappropriate:
won't be judged AND
will find their way back to coaches and school administrators. 

25. Improving Your Essay Add vivid details where possible
Repeat key words or images occasionally to sharpen the focus
Add transition words to help the reader
Make your introduction and/or conclusion stronger

26. Improving Your Essay
Delete material that strays from the point or the impression you had in mind
Add material if a point needs to be stronger
Improve your vocabulary or spelling
Correct errors in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and usage