1. Alabama Direct Assessment of Writing
Stoney M. Beavers
4/18/2019

2. General Reminders Annotate your prompt if allowed
Do about 5-10 minutes of brainstorming and organizational prewriting:
Possible topic choices (Avoid obvious)
Thesis statement (except narrative)
Great opening sentence
Beginning, Middle, End
Simile, Metaphor, Hyperbole, Personification
4/18/2019

3. General Reminders Continued…
Have a plan before you begin writing
Use a title unless it is not required for the format (e.g. letters)
Do not skip any lines; you might need them
Use paragraph structure (indent)
Follow the format required by the prompt
Write as much good content as possible
4/18/2019

4. General Reminders Continued…
Don’t repeat yourself just to fill up space
Use detailed, specific, descriptive language
Use figurative language
Use sentence variety
3-word sentence
Sentence with a semicolon
Compound sentences
4/18/2019

5. General Reminders Continued…
Write as neatly as possible
Don’t waste your time
Keep track of time
Use all of your time
Proofread carefully
Boost vocabulary
Check for last-minute improvements
4/18/2019

6. Narrative Writing Clue Words Include a specific time and place
“Tell about a time”
“Write a story”
Include a specific time and place
Include a clear sequence of events
Include effective description
Use meaningful and precise language
4/18/2019

7. Narrative Writing Continued…
Use time transition words to move the narrative through time
Use chronological order to tell the events of the story
Remember the who, what, where, when, why, how questions
4/18/2019

8. Narrative Writing Level IV
Clearly presents a sequence of events, telling explicitly what happened with thorough development; provides a distinct setting (time and place) and utilizes a variety of descriptive words and phrases as appropriate
Displays a strong sense of audience and purpose in word choice (tone and language)
4/18/2019

9. Narrative Writing Level IV
Strong organizational pattern
Strong author control
One clear controlling idea, no wandering
Thorough examples, facts, statistics, anecdotes, and/or details
Smooth flow with effective transitions
Limited number of mechanical errors
Good conclusions
Complex sentence variety
4/18/2019

10. Narrative Writing Level IV
Vivid and precise vocabulary
Creativity
Description enhances the story
4/18/2019

11. Expository Writing “Explain” “How to…” Include a main idea (thesis)
Include supporting details
Include a conclusion
Include appropriate description
Use meaningful, precise language
4/18/2019

12. Expository Writing Use transition words to connect ideas
Use an organizational plan with the least important reason to the most important reason
Use chronological order if you have to write a paper telling “how to” do something (In order to prepare a delicious chocolate cake, you need the right ingredients, proper cooking procedures, and a skillful frosting technique.) First, second, third...
4/18/2019

13. Expository Writing Level IV
Precisely presents reasons, explanations, or steps in a process: displays logical order and appropriate sequencing of reasons or steps; contains a main idea or thesis, thorough and elaborate supporting details, and a conclusion; uses a variety of descriptive words and phrases as appropriate
4/18/2019

14. Persuasive Writing “Convince” “Persuade”
Include a clearly stated opinion
Include logical and convincing reasons
Include appropriate description
Use meaningful, precise language
4/18/2019

15. Persuasive Writing Use transition words to connect ideas
Use an organizational plan with the least convincing reason to the most convincing reason
4/18/2019

16. Persuasive Writing Level IV
Precisely states a position and limits it appropriately; thoroughly presents logical and persuasive details, reasons, and/or examples to support the position; utilizes descriptive words and phrases as appropriate
4/18/2019

17. Name That Prompt
Think about a time when you or someone else was in a situation that you did not think was fair. Using precise details, write a story about what happened.
Narrative
4/18/2019

18. People are always looking for ways to improve schools, and some of the best ideas come from students. Think of ONE change you could propose that would make your school better. Write an essay explaining ONE change you would make. Be sure to give specific examples and/or reasons to explain your choice.
Expository
4/18/2019

19. Many legislatures are considering a law that would create teenage curfews for all towns and cities in Alabama. Decide whether you are for or against this proposal. Write a persuasive letter to your representative stating your position about this curfew proposal. Give convincing reasons and/or specific examples to support your opinion.
Persuasive
4/18/2019

20. Suppose you won a million dollars
Suppose you won a million dollars. Write a story telling what you would do with the money.
Narrative
4/18/2019

21. What is a job that you do that you do not like to do
What is a job that you do that you do not like to do? Tell your classmates what the job is, and explain why you do not like to do that job.
Expository
4/18/2019

22. Forgetting can cause problems
Forgetting can cause problems. Write a story about a time when you or someone else forgot something. Tell what happened.
Narrative
4/18/2019

23. The school board is trying to decide whether or not backpacks should be allowed back in high schools. Decide whether you are for or against returning the use of backpacks to high schools. State your opinion and persuade the school board members to support your opinion. Be sure to include your reasons and/or specific details.
Persuasive
4/18/2019

24. Where is a place you like to go
Where is a place you like to go? Tell a friend where this place is, and explain why you like to go there.
Expository
4/18/2019

25. You read a newspaper ad that said, “Brave tenth graders needed for part-time work.” You and a friend applied for the job and got it. Write a story about what happened.
Narrative
4/18/2019

26. I am very proud of all of you! Remember III = 95; IV = 100!
Best of luck tomorrow! Do your very best, use all of your time wisely, and we’ll celebrate your achievements!
4/18/2019