1. HSPE Writing Tips
Path to success!

2. Two Types of HSPE Writing
Expository
Persuasive

3. Expository Writing
Purpose – to inform or explain
How well does it explain?
Details!

4. Expository – Layered Elaboration
Key concept for this type of writing
See example in sample essay packet

5. Persuasive Writing
Purpose – to convince or persuade
Examples, scenarios, support

6. How is this graded?
Conventions (0, 1, 2)
C-O-S – Content, Organization, Style (4, 3, 2, 1)

7. Conventions
Spelling
Grammar & Capitalization
Mechanics (sentence fragments, run-on sentences, etc.)

8. Conventions Scoring
Density
Severity
Variety

9. Conventions Scoring
0 – mostly does not
1 – does
2 – mostly does

10. Convention Scoring
Review WASL Convention Rubric
Annotate key words & phrases as we review
Ask questions

11. C-O-S
Focus, organizational pattern, transitions, uses language effectively, varied sentence length, sense of person (or voice)

12. C-O-S Scoring
4 – consistent, effective
3 – adequate
2 – inconsistent, attempts
1 – limited, little, no

13. C-O-S Scoring
Review HSPE C-O-S Rubric
Annotate key words & phrases as we review
Ask questions

14. Is it possible to get no score?
Yes! 
“I don’t know”
Question mark (?)
Response is one word

15. Is it possible to get no score?
Response is only the title of the prompt
Prompt is simply recopied
Page is left blank
DON’T DO THIS!

16. Tips for Test Day
Arrive early – be calm
Review these notes before testing begins
Write only inside the lines – don’t go outside the lines!

17. Tips for Test Day
Leave enough time to edit
Use some sort of pre-write
At the end, darken in your punctuation marks (periods, question marks, etc.)

18. Tips for Test Day Include plenty of commentary
Make connections for your audience
Include plenty of commentary
Try to avoid being redundant
Avoid bad words (a lot, really)

19. PRACTICE TIME!
We are going to practice grading some sample essays so you understand how the writing portions are graded – woo hoo! 