TIMED WRITING ON-DEMAND WRITING

STRATEGIES FOR ON-DEMAND, TIMED WRITING: VERY IMPORTANT: Be aware of time. You’ll have 25 minutes for this particular writing activity. Be aware of the time as you organize and draft—pace yourself. Check out the clock often. Follow the 3-part strategy (The 3 P’s): PLAN PRODUCE PROOF

STEP ONE: PLAN 2-3 minutes: Briefly plan main topics. You might draft a quick outline or map out your ideas on a scratch sheet of paper. Quickly write a lead and thesis statement. Don’t get caught up on writing the “perfect” thesis—instead, write one that is able to be “followed” easily—by the writer (you) and the reader.. Be sure that the thesis directly answers the question/prompt – and has all 3 parts (topic, position, subtopics).

STEP TWO : PRODUCE minutes Using your "plan", write the body of the writing piece. If your organization is strong in the outline/mapping, then it should flow easily in the writing of the essay. Be sure to support your points and give rich, accurate, and pertinent details. Any specific references you can make to the text, the characters, the plot, the setting, etc. should help your essay. Remember that it is not about the quantity of words, but instead, the quality of ideas.

STEP TWO: PRODUCE 3-4 minutes Write a conclusion that will satisfy the readers' need for any additional information, and will sound like an ending. Include a restatement of the thesis. End with a strong statement that wraps up the topic. The conclusion can be brief – 3-4 sentences is plenty.

STEP THREE: PROOF 2-3 minutes Reread the essay quickly. Add in words or phrases as needed. Correct errors as located. Editing/proofreading skills are important here.

ORGANIZING YOUR ESSAY I highly encourage you to write a “2.4” essay that includes: INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH with LEAD, brief OVERVIEW, and THESIS STATEMENT (your thesis statement will include a position about the topic and two points to support it). TWO BODY PARAGRAPHS with specific references to events, details, etc. in the memoir that support your points. CONCLUSION PARAGRAPH that wraps up everything and includes thesis restatement.

TYPES OF QUESTIONS THAT CAN BE USED FOR TIMED WRITING Easiest type: A Yes/No question – Your position is pretty much given to you by your response. Having a role model is important for a teenager to provide support and guidance. In Romeo and Juliet. Do the adult characters act as positive guiding forces for Romeo and Juliet? - The adults in Romeo and Juliet are a positive guiding force - The adults in Romeo and Juliet are not a positive guiding force

After you take your stance and write your position, then add your subtopics. Be sure to have topic, position, subtopics The adults in Romeo and Juliet are not a positive guiding force to the teenagers because they encourage the teenagers to be disobedient and dishonest and give poor advice, which puts Romeo and Juliet in dangerous situations.

A MORE CHALLENGING TYPE OF QUESTION Loyalty is considered an admired value. It is rare to see loyalty as an undesired trait. Considering the characters and interactions in Romeo and Juliet, is loyalty a benefit or a detriment? - Loyalty is a benefit - Loyalty is a detriment ALWAYS CHOOSE ONE SIDE. DO NOT GO BOTH WAYS – Loyalty is both a benefit and detriment (Don’t do this!)

A TOUGHER TYPE OF QUESTION Loyalty is considered an admired value. It is rare to see loyalty as an undesired trait, yet this can be seen in certain circumstances. Considering the characters and interactions in Romeo and Juliet, how is loyalty a detriment?