1. Southern Nevada Regional Professional Development Program RP DP
Southern Nevada Regional Professional Development Program
RPDP.net
RPDP Secondary Literacy

2. Suggestions for Students Taking the Writing Proficiency Exam
Ready, Set, Write
Strategies Developed by Jill M. Leone (For ELL and Read/Write Students)
Copyright © 2006
RPDP Secondary Literacy

3. Introduction These strategies and writing tips for proficiency
are the ones that I have developed and used
successfully for many years with my ELL and read/
write students. However, they may also be used
with any students who need a little extra help with
their writing. I recommend that you stop as needed
and practice the various strategies rather than
presenting this to your students your in its entirety.
Good luck.
RPDP Secondary Literacy

4. analyze a writing prompt examine different types of writing
Today's Objective
Students will –
analyze a writing prompt
examine different types of writing
practice strategies for writing
proficiency
RPDP Secondary Literacy

5. When your teacher gives you a writing assignment, do you ever just sit there wondering where to begin?
RPDP Secondary Literacy

6. Take a few minutes to watch this presentation, and the next time you write for proficiency, it should be a lot easier.
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7. First, always read the topic and the directions carefully.
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8. What are you being asked to write about?
Make sure
that you
understand
the writing
prompt.
What are you being asked to write about?
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9. The prompt is the topic and the directions for a writing assignment.
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10. Address the assigned topic. Provide background information.
Pretend your reader doesn't know what you're writing about.
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11. Take a minute to think and plan what you want to say.
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12. Often a prompt will give you a choice by using the word
Remember to write about only one of the choices:
or.
Think about an advertisement that is your favorite or least favorite.
You choose one.
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13. If the directions contain two or more parts –
Be sure that you respond to everything that is asked.
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14. Here’s an example:
Describe your school or place where you are receiving your high school education. Tell about the building and neighborhood, the students and teachers, and the events that take place in your school.
RPDP Secondary Literacy

15. Look how many parts there are in this one writing assignment.
Describe your school or place where you are receiving your high school education. Tell about the building and the neighborhood, the students and teachers, and the events that take place in your school.
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16. Prewriting
Organize your ideas on a piece of scratch paper before you begin writing.
My school
students
building
teachers
neighborhood
events
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17. My school Prewriting friendly big a lot gray building students modern
helpful
kind
teachers
neighborhood
nice
sports
parks and
churches
old and young
events
new homes
Homecoming
RPDP Secondary Literacy

18. My school huge over 3,000 students friendly big a lot gray stone
From many different countries
building
students
several buildings
very
helpful
modern
kind
teachers
neighborhood
clean and
nice
sports such as
football and soccer
green parks and
new churches
events
beautiful new homes
old and young
Homecoming
RPDP Secondary Literacy

19. Maybe a list works better for you:
my school neighborhood
not very old nice
modern families
huge (more details) houses and apartments
gray churches and parks
over 3000 students clean
several buildings other schools nearby (not important)
different programs
teachers events
lots of them sports (more details)
friendly many different clubs
helpful Homecoming, Sadie’s, Prom
old and young freshman barbecue
senior trip
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20. There are many different ways you can prewrite.
Prewriting
Who?
What?
When?
Where?
Why?
How?
Choose the one that works best for you.
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21. 3 Advantages of Prewriting
Your paper’s easier to write.
You’ll respond to all parts of the topic.
You won’t forget your good ideas.
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22. Ask yourself what verb tense you need to use: probably either PAST or PRESENT.
You can tell from the verb tense used in the directions.
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23. Try to keep all your verbs in the same tense –
the tense you selected from reading the prompt.
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24. You only get one chance to make a first impression?
Topic Sentences
Have you heard people say:
You only get one chance to
make a first impression?
Your topic sentence is very
important. Think of it as your
first impression.
So make it good!
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25. Make necessary changes, like changing you/your to I/me/my.
If you get stuck-
Take your topic sentence from
the first sentence in the
directions.
Make necessary changes, like
changing you/your to I/me/my.
Be sure to change the verb tense so it agrees with the first person I or third person he, she, it.
RPDP Secondary Literacy

26. Eliminate direction words.
Example:
Discuss a situation that taught you a lesson.
Write:
A situation that taught me a lesson was when I lost my wallet.
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27. Almost everyone has had at least one teacher who is hard to forget.
General Sentence
If the first sentence of the topic
does not contain the words
you or your -
you can use that as the first sentence of your paragraph.
Almost everyone has had
at least one teacher who
is hard to forget.
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28. background information.
Almost everyone has had at least one teacher who is hard to forget.
This is a free sentence because you don’t have to change it.
It also provides the reader with
background information.
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29. Copy this sentence onto your paper exactly as it is.
Strategy
Copy this sentence onto your paper exactly as it is.
Then, your second sentence can discuss your response.
Almost everyone has had at least one teacher who is hard to forget. My tenth grade English teacher is a person I will always remember…
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30. This way, you can be sure of two things:
Your first sentence is correct.
You’re focused on the topic and what you need to write about.
Your topic sentence
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31. Remember: Your reader won’t have this lovely picture.
Now, describe your tenth grade teacher and explain why she’s hard to forget.
Remember: Your reader won’t have this lovely picture.
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32. Let’s try one you’ll have to change–
Recall a time when someone helped you. Explain
who that person was, where you were, what
happened, when it happened, and how you felt.
A time when someone helped me was last year.
I was taking the CAT bus home from school because
I stayed late to make-up a math test. I opened my
wallet to pay for the bus ride and saw I had no
money. It was almost dark and I told the driver my
problem. Just then, a kind lady with long, red hair
stood up and put in the exact change for me. She
told me that she had a daughter about my age and
hoped someone would do the same thing for her…
RPDP Secondary Literacy

33. See how short and simple you can make your topic sentence?
A time when someone helped me was
last year. I was taking the CAT bus home
from school because I had stayed late to
make-up a math test. I opened my wallet…
See how short and simple you can make your topic sentence?
You can save your interesting and colorful details for your supporting sentences.
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34. Never write the word BECAUSE in your topic sentence!
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35. This limits what you can write about.
If you write:
My best year in school was ninth grade
because I made many new friends.
The rest of your paragraph has to be
about your new friends in ninth grade.
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36. With a short topic sentence -
My best year in school was ninth
grade. First, I made many new friends.
In fact, I met my best friends in my
ninth grade English class. In addition,
I had wonderful teachers, who really
helped me with my reading and math.
Also, ninth grade was my first
experience playing sports…
With a short topic sentence -
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37. By shortening your topic sentence and eliminating the word BECAUSE –
you can now write about the experiences that made ninth grade your best year in school.
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38. Now the past becomes the present for you and reader.
Use this last strategy only if you haven't learned your past tense verbs:
If you’re a student still learning English
and have trouble with past tense verbs,
you can write your topic sentence:
My best year in school was ninth
grade. I can close my eyes and picture
it now. I have many new and wonderful
friends. My teachers are very friendly
and helpful. I play soccer everyday after
school. In fact, my coach helps me …
Now the past becomes the present for you and reader.
RPDP Secondary Literacy

39. I call this a “Time Machine Strategy.”
My best year in school was ninth
grade. I can close my eyes and
picture it now. I have many new
and wonderful friends. My teachers
are very friendly and helpful. I play
soccer everyday after school. In
fact, my coach helps me…
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40. By bringing your reader back to the past
(like a time machine), you can now write
your paper in the present tense
instead of the past.
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41. Let’s look at some helpful hints.
Verbs
You can probably communicate with people in almost any country in the world if you know the verbs and how to use them.
Let’s look at some helpful hints.
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42. Make sure you understand whether you’re using regular
Watch your verb tenses!
Make sure you understand
whether you’re using regular
or irregular verbs.
It makes a difference in the
past tense because irregular
verbs don’t end in –ed the way
regular verbs do.
RPDP Secondary Literacy

43. I help my teacher every day after school.
Let’s look at some examples:
I help my teacher every day after school.
I helped my soccer coach yesterday.
I bring my lunch to school each day.
Yesterday, I brought lunch for my friend, too.
It’s easy to see which verbs are irregular.
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44. It’s a good idea to memorize your irregular verbs.
RPDP Secondary Literacy

45. If you’re writing about one person, one place, or one thing in the present tense, add either –s or –es to the end of your verbs.
Example: I walk.
He/she/it walks.
RPDP Secondary Literacy

46. What should you do if you’re not sure?
If you’re not sure which verb form to use, substitute the pronouns: he, she, it, or they for your nouns.
If you can substitute he, she, or it in the present tense, then you need to add –s or –es to your verb.
RPDP Secondary Literacy
For regular verbs

47. My teacher speaks. He speaks. The student comes to class everyday.
Examples:
My teacher speaks.
He speaks.
The student comes
to class everyday.
She comes to class
everyday.
They come to class
RPDP Secondary Literacy

48. Do not change your verb tenses after the following words:
Warning!
Do not change your verb tenses after the following words:
to would
did could
can should
will might
RPDP Secondary Literacy

49. Be careful with your verb tenses after the word NOT.
Example:
They could not went on the trip. (incorrect)
They could not go on the trip. (correct)
Be careful with your verb tenses after the word NOT.
RPDP Secondary Literacy

50. Don’t make your sentences too long!
No more than 1 – 2 lines.
This will help prevent run-on sentences.
Run-on sentences are sentences that are too long and seem to go on forever.
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51. Your paragraph should contain no less than:
A topic sentence
At least 8 – 10 supporting sentences that give more details about your topic
A conclusion or summary sentence
You don’t have to write multiple paragraphs.
RPDP Secondary Literacy

52. Don’t forget your transition words:
first also for example
then in addition in fact
next however above all
soon meanwhile in reality
later at last unfortunately
suddenly therefore meanwhile
before finally in conclusion
afterward for these reasons in the future
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53. Your transition words help the reader follow your ideas.
Don't lose your reader!
Your transition words help the reader follow your ideas.
RPDP Secondary Literacy

54. Check all plural and possessive words.
Make sure you understand the difference!
Plural words: events, students, books Possessive: Juan’s truck my friend’s locker
Some words just end in –s like always.
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55. Write neatly and clearly.
If they can’t read it, they can’t pass it!
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56. I can close my eyes and picture that.
Be descriptive enough so anyone reading your paper can close his eyes and picture what you’re writing about.
I can close my eyes and picture that.
RPDP Secondary Literacy

57. I found a gold ring with a huge, round, sparkling red stone.
Example
If you’re writing about a ring you found, say what color the stone is, if it’s silver or gold, big or small, and how it’s shaped.
I found a gold ring with a huge, round, sparkling red stone.
RPDP Secondary Literacy

58. Your enthusiasm should really show and bring your topic to life for the reader.
RPDP Secondary Literacy

59. Guess I’ll have to invent things.
Make your writing should sound like
you’re writing from experience.
Show understanding of the topic even if you have to invent situations and details.
Guess I’ll have to invent things.
RPDP Secondary Literacy

60. Try to make your paper sound like YOU wrote it. Give it your own style
and personality.
Make it sound honest
and written from the heart.
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61. No one enjoys reading a paper that was
Important tips to remember:
Always make your paper sound like there is a reason for you to be telling this.
No one enjoys reading a paper that was
just “thrown together” for a grade.
You don’t “throw yourself together” to come to school each day!
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62. Important tips to remember: I was so happy I was speechless.
Always describe your reaction to what happened or your character’s reaction.
Example:
I was so happy I was speechless.
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63. More Writing Tips
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64. They are used differently.
Be careful with
the words:
this (singular)
these (plural)
those (plural)
They are used differently.
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65. THIS = singular; for this reason THESE = plural; for these reasons
For this reason, my favorite singer is Jennifer Lopez.
For these reasons, my favorite singer is Jennifer Lopez.
The singular pronoun THIS = 4 letters.
The plural pronoun THESE = 5 letters.
(one)
(several, more than one)
RPDP Secondary Literacy

66. No double negatives! In Spanish, you write - “Ella no tiene nada.”
In English, you can’t use none, nothing, no one, nobody, in the same sentence with no, not, or never.
You have to write: any, anything, anyone, anybody
RPDP Secondary Literacy

67. He does not have any money. (correct)
Examples:
He does not have any money. (correct)
He does not have no money. (incorrect)
He doesn’t have no money. (incorrect)
She did not say anything. (correct)
She did not say nothing. (incorrect)
She didn’t say nothing. (incorrect)
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68. but so Do not start sentences with these words: and because
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69. When you find yourself starting sentences with these words!
STOP!
When you find yourself starting sentences with these words!
Try some of these next words instead.
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70. Remember these transition words and phrases:
And Also, In addition,
But However, Yet,
So Therefore, Consequently,
Because For this reason,
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71. Learn your transition words.
Instead of writing:
But I was the only one who
knew the correct answer.
Write:
However, I was the only one
who knew the correct answer.
Learn your transition words.
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72. Don't overuse the same transition words!
…and then… and then… and then…
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73. This will confuse your reader.
Narrative Writing
Tells a story about something that happened in the past
Keep your verbs in the past tense.
Don’t go back and forth between the past and the present.
This will confuse your reader.
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74. Anything that confuses your reader
Or forces the reader to slow down and reread your paper will lower your writing score.
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75. Persuasive Writing
You are trying to make the reader think differently.
Your position must be very clear.
Use facts, examples, and reasons to support your opinion.
Whatever position you take, stay with it.
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76. program is bad and should be canceled, don’t bother
Here’s an example:
If you write that a TV
program is bad and should
be canceled, don’t bother
to discuss any good
points about the show.
That would not be related
to your topic.
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77. Give one example for each reason.
Persuasive Writing
Try to stay focused on your position.
Give at least 3 reasons to persuade your reader. 1 2 3
Give one example for each reason.
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78. Here's an Example. Topics discussed are too personal.
The Cristina Show
Topics discussed are too personal.
Very embarrassing.
Bad taste, offends many people.
Here's an Example.
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79. After each reason, give an example:
Persuasive Writing
After each reason, give an example:
The topics people talk about on the Cristina
show are too personal. For example, the
guests talk about very private things that
only the family should know about.
Reason
Example
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80. Reason and example:
Sometimes it’s embarrassing to watch Cristina’s show in front of other people. In fact, my grandfather always takes my little sister to the kitchen for a drink when guests say things that are very personal.
RPDP Secondary Literacy

81. This explains how to do something,
Expository Writing
This explains how to do something,
like a step by step set of instructions.
It can describe an idea, a process,
or an event.
You can also use it to explain
a relationship.
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82. your reader understand and follow what you’re saying.
Expository Writing
When you’re
writing to explain,
your transition words
are important to help
your reader understand
and follow what you’re saying.
When you’re writing to explain, your transition words are important to help your reader understand and follow what you are saying.
RPDP Secondary Literacy

83. When baking a cake, first preheat the
Example:
When baking a cake, first preheat the
oven. Next, mix the dry ingredients such
as flour and sugar. After this, add the wet
ingredients such as eggs and milk. Before
you pour the cake batter into the baking pan,
grease the pan so the cake doesn’t stick to
the sides.
RPDP Secondary Literacy

84. Use a semi-colon for two sentences that are related in meaning.
Important Tip
Use a semi-colon for two sentences that are related in meaning.
Example:
The sky is clear; you can see across
the city for miles.
RPDP Secondary Literacy

85. You would not use a semi-colon for:
The sky is clear; I ate ham and eggs
for breakfast.
These two thoughts are not related
in meaning. X
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86. Spelling If you’re not sure how to spell a word, don’t use it.
Choose another word that
means the same thing –
or almost the same thing.
For words you use more than
once, make sure you spell them
the same way each time.
RPDP Secondary Literacy

87. No contractions on the test!
It’s too easy to make mistakes after
contractions, especially with not.
Instead of writing:
I didn’t know anyone at the party.
Write:
I did not know anyone at the party.
RPDP Secondary Literacy

88. Para los alumnos latinos -
In Spanish, the single word es is used to
mean it is / he is / she is.
After a noun or pronoun, you don’t need
to repeat the it, he, or she.
Example:
The singer has a good voice. (correct)
The singer he has a good voice. (incorrect)
In English
RPDP Secondary Literacy

89. Don’t forget to indent the
Remember to indent.
Don’t forget to indent the
first line of each
paragraph:
about the width of two fingers or
the size of your thumb.
RPDP Secondary Literacy

90. What about the conclusion?
No matter what –
Never leave your reader “hanging” and wondering how your paper ends.
RPDP Secondary Literacy

91. Don’t forget your closing sentence. How should you end your paper?
You can finish by writing:
“In conclusion,…”
“It is clear that …
Then, recopy or reword your
topic sentence.
Only capitalize the In or It.
RPDP Secondary Literacy

92. In conclusion, ninth grade was my best year in school.
Examples:
In conclusion, ninth grade was my best year in school.
It is clear that ninth grade was my best year in school.
These are not the best endings, but they are safe if you’re not an experienced writer.
RPDP Secondary Literacy

93. Ending your paragraph - You have to add words with this.
In the future,… is also a good way to begin a closing sentence, but can’t be used for all paragraphs.
In the future, I will think of my ninth grade year and smile.
You have to add words with this.
RPDP Secondary Literacy

94. If they can't read it, they can't pass it.
Remember -
A sharp pencil point and neat handwriting are very important.
If they can't read it, they can't pass it.
RPDP Secondary Literacy

95. They won’t be considered for a grade.
Don’t attach any
extra sheets of paper
to your answer sheet.
Don’t attach any additional sheets of paper to your answer sheet.
They won’t be considered for a grade.
RPDP Secondary Literacy

96. Proofread your writing before you turn it in.
Check your work.
Proofread your writing before you turn it in.
Be careful copying your sentences from your scratch paper to your answer sheet.
RPDP Secondary Literacy

97. It’s very easy to miss a word.
Why Proofread?
It’s very easy to miss a word.
Double-check your final copy line by line.
Use another piece of paper as a marker.
Go down the page line by line.
Make sure you’ve included everything
and spelled words that are repeated the
same way way throughout your paper.
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98. Proofreading Checklist
Clear topic sentence
Supporting sentences with transition words
Check your capitals, punctuation, and spelling.
Turn any fragments into complete sentences.
Eliminate any unrelated sentences.
Verb tenses should agree.
Details should fit where placed with logical sequence.
Conclusion or summary sentence
RPDP Secondary Literacy

99. You will automatically fail if -
The paper is off the topic.
The paper contains obscene or objectionable material.
The paper is blank.
The paper contains insufficient writing for evaluation.
The paper is written in a foreign language.
The paper is unreadable.
RPDP Secondary Literacy

100. Get a good night’s sleep before the test.
Checklist
Get a good night’s sleep before the test.
Eat a healthy breakfast.
Take your time and don’t rush or worry if other students finish before you.
Good luck!!!
RPDP Secondary Literacy

101. Copyright © 2006 by Jill M. Leone
Copyright Notice
Permission is granted to copy (unmodified) all or part of this PowerPoint for educational, personal, non-commercial use off-line as long as the copyright message (Copyright © 2006 by Jill Leone) is maintained on the title page. This material may not
be sold, duplicated on other websites, incorporated in commercial documents or products, or used for promotional purposes.
Copyright © 2006 by Jill M. Leone
RPDP Secondary Literacy