1. Expository and Persuasive Essay Overview of Requirements
FCAT Writing
Expository and Persuasive Essay Overview of Requirements

2. Parts of an Expository/Persuasive Essay
Essay must be separated into paragraphs
The Introduction must:
Capture the readers attention through the use of anecdotes, imagery, figurative language, precise vocabulary, etc.
Include the thesis statement (tell the reader what the story/essay is about)
The body paragraphs must:
Include a topic statement and or statements.
Include “organic” transitions.
Include a varied placement of topic sentences.
Focus on ONE topic per paragraph only.

3. Parts of an Expository/Persuasive Essay
The conclusion should include:
The reasons stated in a new way.
A connection to the introduction.
A thought provoking, memorable phrase or sentence that leaves the reader with a sense of completeness or wonder.
A persuasive essay should have all the aforementioned elements, but in addition it should:
Evoke emotion
Contain strong, commanding/emotional language but be LOGICAL.
Appeal to good morals and ethics.

4. Vertical Alignment to Show Differences Between Holistic Scoring Points Examination of Criteria by Score Point 1 2 3 4 5 6
Focus
addresses topic, may lose focus with extraneous or loosely related ideas
addresses topic, may lose focus by including extraneous or loosely related ideas
writing is focused but may contain ideas that are loosely connected
writing is focused; few, if any, loosely related ideas
writing is focused
writing is focused and purposeful, reflecting insight into writing situation
Organization
may have organizational pattern; may lack sense of completeness or closure
organizational pattern usually includes beginning, middle, and ending, but those elements may be brief
organizational pattern is demonstrated, but may lack logical progression of ideas
organizational pattern is apparent and strengthened by use of transitional devices
organizational pattern provides for logical progression of ideas; transitional devices give a sense of completeness
organizational pattern provides for a logical progression of ideas; transitional devices give a sense of completeness
Support
little development of supporting ideas; may consist of generalizations or fragmentary lists; word choice is limited or inappropriate and obscure meaning
development of support may be erratic and nonspecific; ideas may be repeated; word choice is limited, predictable or vague
development of support is uneven; word choice is adequate
support is consistently developed, but may lack specificity; adequate word choice
support is developed through ample use of specific details and examples; mature command of language
support is substantial, specific, relevant, concrete; mature command of language; commitment to and involvement with subject; may use creative writing strategies
Conventions
frequent and blatant errors in basic conventions including errors in sentence structure; mechanics, usage and punctuation, commonly used words misspelled
errors may occur in basic conventions including sentence structure; mechanics, usage and punctuation, commonly words are spelled correctly
some variation in sentence structure; conventions are generally followed (mechanics, usage, punctuation)
variation in sentence structure is demonstrated; conventions are generally followed (mechanics, usage, punctuation, spelling)
variation in sentence structure; conventions are generally followed (mechanics, usage, punctuation, spelling)
sentence structure is varied; conventional errors are few (mechanics, usage, punctuation, spelling)

5. 4 Areas of Instruction Focus Support Organization Conventions topic
subtopic
on topic
off-topic
central idea
main idea
unimportant detail based on the writing plan
concept map
2-column notes
power notes
content frame
notes
extraneous
kind of paper (mode) -narrative, expository, persuasive, descriptive
lead
opening sentences, grabbers
Support
repetition
deleted
replace
additions
precise
vague
word choice
voice
statement
extend, elaborate
support
overused
supporting idea/detail
suitable
style
tone
Organization
transitional words
transitional devices
connecting ideas
smooth connection
between events
after event
author organizes
sequence of events
chronological order
conclusions
author begins
author ends
organize to list, compare
Conventions
capitalization
contractions
comma usage
semi-colon usage
colon usage
noun/pronoun agreement
homophones/homonyms
endings (s & ed)
verb tense
verb “to be”
irregular plurals
subject/verb agreement
comparisons - more, most, -er, -est
prepositions that refer to quantity – between, among
common spelling rules 5

6. Understanding The Writing Prompt
Specific writing task
Writing situation
Something to think about

7. Useful Transitions To Emphasize a Point To Clarify To Add Information
To Conclude or Summarize
Again
For this reason
Indeed
In fact
To emphasize
To repeat
Truly
With this in mind
Because of
For example
For instance
In other words
Put another way
That is
Another
Besides
Equally Important
Furthermore
Moreover
Along with
As well
All in all
As a result
Finally
Consequently
Thus
Therefore
Due to
In short

8. More Transitions… Moreover Similarly In fact Likewise Furthermore
It follows that
As a result
Naturally
Simply put
By comparison
For this reason
Surely

9. Developing the Paragraph
Facts/statistics-statements that can be proven
Sensory Details-descriptions that use the senses
Incidents-events that illustrate the main idea
Examples-specific cases or instances
Quotations-the words of experts or authorities

10. Building Support Precise Word Choice (Word Array)
Vocabulary Activities (Synonyms/Antonyms;
Multiple meanings of words
FIRES (facts, incidents, reasons, examples, statistics)
Sensory Details
Figurative Language Devices
Voice
Show Don’t Tell
Magnified Moments
Dialogue
Vivid verbs and adjectives