1. Introductions and Conclusions Rate yourself Ask yourself: What goes in both? How do you grab attention of reader? Do you start answering prompt right out of the gate?

2. Introduction Most important paragraph in the essay to leave an impression and for you to show your individual/personal touch. Kicks things off by establishing – means you need to let audience know what you will be writing about. No specific answers should be given yet. Must have thesis statement – Re-state prompt with answer because reason/answer/topic #1, reason/answer/topic #2, and reason/answer/topic #3. This should be your last sentence Structure: Attenion grabber – three sentences Tie-in(bridge) sentence – connect grabber to topic Thesis – tell what the entire essay will try to explain or answer

3. Thesis Comes from your chicken foot Usually three reasons Re-state prompt(kind of like re-stating question in answer) Last sentence of first paragraph/first sentence in last paragraph. EX: The contributing factors that led to the establishment of Biscayne National Park were the Jones’ family, tourism, and public support. Try to keep reasons/answers broad if possible.(Like a net) For example: change Jones’ family to local families. EX: The types of citizen a society needs are personally responsible, participatory, and justice oriented.

4. Attention Grabbers First two to three sentneces of your essay. Purpose is to get audience interested. Topic should drive grabber. Types: 1) Definitions – Start with an important word or concept that will be a theme or topic throughout your essay. Define it(using evidence and elaborate) Tie into prompt. 2) Paint with words/Figurative language – Use sensory/descriptive details to open up your essay. Imagine…”Imagine your toes digging into the white sand as the cool breeze caresses your skin. The sun slowly sags down into the horizon....” 3) Quote/Proverb – Benjamin Franklin used to say,”It is the first responsibility of every citizen to question authority.” Explain. 4) Pose a question- Leave it open. No “yes” or “no” answers. “What does being a citizen mean to you? Being a citizen should…..” 5) Telling anecdote(short story) You can lie if you can’t think of one. “When my great- grandfather became a U.S. citizen, he told me it was the greatest day of his life. I’ve taken that to heart. I know from him that being a citizen…..” 6) The most interesting line or fact in the article/story – Usually can be found in the opening or closing lines. If it can be broadened, use it as a quote that you can explain in the context of the whole essay.

5. Conclusions(flip upside down) Intro: Attention grabber Bridge thesis Conclusion: Thesis(re-word, re-phrase) Bridge out Attention grabbers(with wrap up purposes) * second most important *same, but different *never add new information or reasons. Just review key points you covered in essay. * Send thought provoking message home.

6. Example Imagine mouthwatering, tender baby back ribs that fall off the bone with one touch, cheese fries that melt in your mouth, and washing down a thirst quenching Coke. Sounds pretty good right? When a person or family goes out to eat, they want to eat somewhere nice. That is why my favorite restaurant is Longhorn Steakhouse! The food there is absolutely delicious, the service is great, and it has a menu for the whole family. In conclusion, Longhorn is a great place to eat! The food is great, the service is fast, and the menu is filled with a variety of foods! So what are you waiting for? Buck up, kick back, and chow down at Longhorn! As the slogan says, “Let us be the best part of your day.”

7. Writing Prompt FSA ELA Writing Training Test Questions It’s no secret that sometimes great discoveries come as a result of really big mistakes. But are they always worth the problems they cause? Sometimes the mistakes lead to greatness, and sometimes they lead to disaster. Are mistakes key to making discoveries? Write an essay in which you take a position on whether or not mistakes are a key part of discovery. Use the information presented in the passages to support your points. Make sure to include information from all the passages in your essay. Manage your time carefully so that you can read the passages; plan your essay; write your essay; and revise and edit your essay. Be sure to include a claim; address counterclaims; use evidence from multiple sources; and avoid overly relying on one source. Your written response should be in the form of a multiparagraph essay. Remember to spend time reading, planning, writing, revising, and editing. Write your response in the space provided.