1. Winners train. Losers complain.

2. FSA Writing Game Plan

3. 1. Read the Prompt, twice
First, read the prompt to determine if they are asking you to write an argument or informative essay
Second, highlight the key words in the prompt that will help you formulate your claim or thesis statement
2-5 minutes

4. 2. Skim Read the Sources 5 minutes
Highlight anything that relates to your key words and seems useful as evidence
Note the structure of the sources, headings, titles, types
5 minutes

5. 3. Choose a Text Structure
Informative Essay
Description
Contrast and Compare
Order and Sequence
Cause and Effect
Problem Solution
Definition
Essay will provide details or characteristics of something
Essay will talk about the similarities and differences between people, places, things, etc..
Essay will outline chronological events or a list of steps in a procedure
Essay will describe an event (cause) and the effects that follow
Essay will give information about a problem and explain one or more solutions
Prompt Clue Words
Asks for adjectives, characteristics, examples, images
Same/different, both/neither, contrast, compare, relationship between
Order of events, history, instructions, steps, signal words
Cause, effect, relationship between, because, as a result, due to, if/then
Problem, solution, issue, concern, resolution

6. 4. Plan Essay/Reread Sources
Use the planning sheet to briefly outline your essay
Reread the sources as necessary and highlight evidence from the text

7. 5. Type Your Essay Use proper capitalization and punctuation
Use quotation marks to cite sources

8. 6. Revise Your Essay Reread directions checklist in the prompt
Check spelling
Check for typos and missing words
Remember to properly cite your source evidence

9. Let’s Practice

10. 1. Read Prompt
Write an informative essay about the viewpoints presented about the Florida Caverns by the two authors. Your informative essay must be based on ideas and information found in the passage set.

11. 1. Read Prompt – Highlight Key Words
Write an informative essay about the viewpoints presented about the Florida Caverns by the two authors. Your informative essay must be based on ideas and information found in the passage set.

12. 2. Read the Source Packet
Highlight anything that relates to your key words and seems useful as evidence
Note the structure of the sources, headings, titles, types

13. 3. Choose an Informative Essay Text Structure
Description
Compare and Contrast
Order and Sequence
Cause and Effect
Problem/Solution

14. 3. Essay ideas based on Text Structure
Description: Explain how the authors used various literary techniques to explain the caverns.
Cause and Effect: Explain how visiting the Florida caverns inspired the authors to write about them.
Contrast and Compare: Compare and contrast the various ways that the authors spoke about/feel about/analyze the caverns.

15. 4. Plan Your Essay (Description)
Introduction Background Information: What is this essay about? Thesis: Many authors are inspired by the Florida caverns, and use various literary techniques to pay homage to them in their writing. Main Point 1 Main Point 2 Main Point 3 Conclusion

16. 4. Plan Your Essay (Cause and Effect)
Introduction Background Information: What is this essay about? Thesis: Visiting the Florida Caverns has an impact on many people, including two authors who choose to write about them. Main Point 1 Main Point 2 Main Point 3 Conclusion

17. 4. Plan Your Essay (Compare and Contrast)
Introduction Background Information: What is this essay about? Thesis: Visiting the Florida Caverns has an impact on many people, including two authors who choose to write about them. Main Point 1 Main Point 2 Main Point 3 Conclusion

18. 4. Plan Your Essay
Reread the sources and highlight evidence that you can use to help support and establish your paper.
Ignore source information that does not correlate with your thesis.
(The skill being tested is to read and extract the relevant details!)
Remember your job is to explain your thesis, NOT to summarize the sources!