1. End of Course English 1
Greet students and tell them that one of the things we will be doing in class is working on passing the EOC test.

2. Note!
When you see this symbol, it means you turn and talk to the person next to you
I will then ask you to share out to the class, so be prepared!
Any time this symbol appears, students should be given the time to talk to each other, then share out to the larger group.

3. Why is EOC writing so different?
You must pass the EOC test to graduate!
Unlike middle school, the EOC is a combined reading and writing test.
Students type responses to expository
essay and short answers.

4. What exactly is on the EOC writing test
The EOC test has four parts:
1. Reading (multiple choice)
2. 2 short answer questions
1 short answer response for single selection
1 short answer response for paired selections
3. Expository Essay
4. Revising & Editing questions (multiple choice

5. Reading and writing contribute EQUALLY to total test score
30% — reading multiple choice
20% — short answer questions
24% — writing multiple choice
26% — expository essay
Multiple choice 54% of total test score
Performance 46% of total test score

6. What do I need to know about typing?
Every CHARACTER counts! This includes spaces, punctuation, and letters.
Essay – 1750 characters
Short Answer – 675 characters

7. Timing is Important! 5 hours total
It is important for you to time yourself on each section so that you can complete the whole test.
Don’t let the time factor worry you – we are going to talk about ways to pass the test and we are going to practice
Raise your hand if the time factor is a little stressful for you.
Teacher – when students raise their hands, ask them to look around and see that they are not alone – the time limit is stressful, but we are going to learn strategies during the days that we are together to help.

8. QUESTION - CAN YOU USE A DICTIONARY ON THE WRITING EOC?
LET STUDENTS ANSWER/ARGUE IT OUT, THEN HIT THE MOUSE FOR THE ANSWER
YES ! YES! YES!
Everyone can use one to find synonyms and richer words!

9. WRITING IS ALL ABOUT THE AUDIENCE!

10. Who grades the EOC essays?
You have two minutes to draw/sketch a picture of what you think an EOC grader looks like. OR
You can write a list of some characteristics or features of the people you think grade these test
BE APPROPRIATE FOR SCHOOL PLEASE!
Be prepared to share out!
Ask students to draw a picture – if they are worried about drawing tell them that this is for fun. They can also list characteristics
Ask student to share out – a little funny break for them.

11. EVERYONE STAND UP
You have two minutes to rotate and show each other your pictures
Teacher – you can play music here if you would like. There are some good videos on you tube that you could play (don’t show the video, just play the song) or play a CD

12. Who grades the EOC essays?
LET’S LIST THE CHARACTERISTICS YOU CAME UP WITH HERE: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Teacher – please list the characteristics here – Teacher, etc. The students need to understand they are writing these essays to an audience of educated adults – English teachers, college professors, etc. Students cannot use slang, texting language, and other informal language in your essays.

13. FIRST
Let’s take a look at how the EOC writing prompts are written

14. Reviewing the EOC Prompt - EXPOSITORY
Directions
A quote to help you think of ideas..ignore this if it’s too confusing.
MORE Directions

15. SECOND
Let’s look at how the essay is graded…

16. How am I graded? DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW THE TESTS ARE SCORED?
Each essay is worth 26% of the total score
Score Point 1—VERY LIMITED
Score Point 2—BASIC
Score Point 3—SATISFACTORY
Score Point 4—ACCOMPLISHED
Ask student to discuss the question – share out. Press the mouse and the answers will “fly in”

17. EXPOSITORY
The form of the essay must “match” the purpose for writing. (NO personal narratives)
The essay must be responsive to the central “charge” of the prompt (the “Write about”).
An explicit, specific thesis must be evident – the earlier in the paper, the better.
Help students understand what writing for an outside audience requires, but remember that in expository writing, they are NOT trying to convince the reader to think a certain way or to accept a single viewpoint as valid.

18. I’M GOING TO GIVE YOU A PACKET
EXPOSITORY WRITING RUBRIC AND SCORING GUIDE
WE ARE GOING TO LOOK AT THE RUBRICS AND THEN PRACTICE SCORING SOME ESSAYS!
YOU GET TO BE EOC ESSAY SCORERS FOR A DAY!

19. UNDERSTANDING THE RUBRIC
Please look at the EXPOSITORY Rubric
Please get out a writing utensil
I am going to ask you to circle some words on the rubrics
It is VERY important that you understand how you are being graded

20. EXPOSITORY – TO EXPLAIN
The most important part of this essay is your THESIS STATEMENT.
The thesis statement is the statement in one sentence that states the main idea of your essay.
As we look at the rubric and examples – look especially for the thesis statement in each essay.
Expository should not be open to debate since it deals with factual information.
Teacher – make sure students understand the THESIS STATEMENT!
Its function is to provide the reader with an explicit statement (in a sentence or two) about the goal of the paper (in effect, the lens through which the student is viewing the topic). Having a strong thesis (early in the paper) helps the student write a focused and coherent essay.

21. EXPOSITORY- SCORE POINT 1
DRAW A CIRCLE AROUND THE WORD
LIMITED
Underline these words in the Language Section
word choice may be vague or limited
Sentences are simplistic, awkward, or uncontrolled
sometimes interfere with meaning
Underline these words in the Organization Section
marginally suited
absence of a functional organizational structure
thesis statement is missing, unclear, or illogical
progression of ideas is weak
Underline these words in the Development of Ideas Section
inappropriate, vague, or insufficient
word choice may be vague or limited
Response to the prompt is vague or confused

22. TURN AND TALK ABOUT THIS ESSAY. HOW DOES IT REFLECT A SCORE POINT 1
WHAT IS THE THESIS?
WHAT IS THE THESIS?

23. EXPOSITORY- SCORE POINT 2
DRAW A CIRCLE AROUND THE WORD BASIC
Underline these words in the Language Section
general or imprecise
distracting errors
Partial command
Underline these words in the Organization Section
only somewhat suited to the expository task
thesis statement is weak or somewhat unclear
not always logical and controlled
Underline these words in the Development of Ideas Section
development of ideas is minimal
Formulaic
word choice may be general or imprecise

24. READ THE ESSAY AND THE NOTES.
SHOULD THIS ESSAY HAVE SCORED A 2? WHY?
WHAT IS THE THESIS?
WHAT IS THE THESIS?

25. EXPOSITORY- SCORE POINT 3
DRAW A CIRCLE AROUND THE WORD
SATISFACTORY
Underline these words in the Language Section
clear and specific
contributing to the effectiveness
few (if any) disruptions
Underline these words in the Organization Section
appropriate
clear thesis statement
Most ideas are related to the thesis
show the relationships among ideas
Underline these words in the Development of Ideas Section
uses details and examples that are specific
original rather than formulaic
NOTICE THE WORDS “CLEAR” AND “SPECIFIC”
WHAT DO THESE WORDS MEAN TO THE STUDENTS? AKS THEM TO DISCUSS

26. READ THE ESSAY.
Why did this essay score a 3?
Notes are on the next page….
WHAT IS THE THESIS?

28. EXPOSITORY- SCORE POINT 4
DRAW A CIRCLE AROUND THE WORDS Deep Understanding
Underline these words in the Organization Section
Well suited to the expository task
Clear thesis statement
Progression of ideas is logical and well controlled
Underline these words in the Language Section
Purposeful and precise
Purposeful, varied, and well controlled
Overall strength of the conventions contributes to the essay
Underline these words in the Development of Ideas Section
development of ideas is effective
Examples are specific and well chosen
Thoughtful and engaging

29. READ THE ESSAY AND THE NOTES.
SHOULD THIS ESSAY HAVE SCORED A 4? WHY?
WHAT IS THE THESIS?

31. IT’S YOUR TURN!
I’m going to give you the numbers of some of the essays and ask you to guess what they scored.
Use your rubric to grade the essay, keeping in mind the key words that we circled and underlined.
Teacher – ask the students to turn to different essays – the comments and scores have been deleted from the student essays, but they have been left on your packet.
Have the students read, guess the score and share out reasons why.
Then reveal the score to the students from your packet.

32. How do I get started on the EXPOSITORY Essay?
So it is the day of the test. You sit down at the computer, carefully review the prompt and ask yourself ……
How do I get started on the EXPOSITORY Essay?

33. Reviewing the EOC Prompt - EXPOSITORY
Directions (Read)
A quote to help you think of ideas
(Think)
THIS IS THE EXPOSITORY PROMPT WE WILL BE WORKING WITH.
IT IS BASED ON THE “READ, THINK, WRITE” PROCESS
MORE Directions, specifically to help you write (write)

34. The expository prompt is intended to help you brainstorm. However…
Many students find the READ, THINK, WRITE format to be very overwhelming and confusing.
Students tend to focus on the quote in the box rather than what they are actually supposed to be writing about.
IF YOU ARE EVER OVERWHELMED OR CONFUSED, we recommend…

35. Reviewing the EOC Prompt - EXPOSITORY
Directions (Read)
A quote to help you think of ideas
(Think)
THIS IS THE EXPOSITORY PROMPT WE WILL BE WORKING WITH.
IT IS BASED ON THE “READ, THINK, WRITE” PROCESS
MORE Directions, specifically to help you write (write)

36. Now we can focus on the prompt.
WRITE an essay explaining how one specific new technology affect’s people’s lives.
First, I would focus on making a list of examples that you could use to answer this prompt.
Remember, though, that some of the examples you come up with FIRST will also be the examples everyone else comes up with!
Also remember that you MUST EXPLAIN your examples in detail. DO NOT JUST LIST A BUNCH OF EXAMPLES.
Because you need to explain them, you probably only need 2 or 3 insightful examples.

37. Ah, that’s better!

38. Let’s review a very basic structure…
BACKGROUND INFO
THESIS
STATEMENT
Introduction
Gives general background information, or context, for your reader
Ends with a thesis statement that clearly explains what your essay will discuss
Body Paragraphs
Begin with a topic sentence that links back to your thesis
Include examples that support that topic sentence
Conclusion
Begins with a restatement of your thesis in different words
Ends by answering the question, “So what?” or making a connection to a bigger picture
TOPIC SENTENCE
Example with explanation
THESIS
STATEMENT
SO WHAT?

39. Did you know??
Incomplete or half essays cannot pass!

40. Reviewing the EOC Prompt - EXPOSITORY
Directions (Read)
A quote to help you think of ideas
(Think)
TIME TO WRITE!
HAVE STUDENTS LIST 2-3 IDEAS, FOLLOW THE OUTLINE ABOVE AND WRITE THE 26 LINE ESSAY
Grading – allowing students to trade papers and grade the papers with the rubrics is a best practice.
1750 IS THE CHARACTER COUNT IF YOU ARE TYPING LESSONS
IT IS BEST TO TIME STUDENTS WHEN THEY WRITE THIS ESSAY!
MORE Directions, specifically to help you write (write)