GWE Testing Tips GWE Testing Tips Student Engagement and Academic Success Student Engagement and Academic Success

Materials Required Required Port Pass Port Pass Admission ticket Admission ticket Pen or pencil Pen or pencil Provided Provided Bluebook Bluebook Optional (Recommended) Optional (Recommended) Dictionary Dictionary Thesaurus Thesaurus

Scoring 60 minutes to read and respond to an article 60 minutes to read and respond to an article Papers are read independently by two readers Papers are read independently by two readers Readers score between 1 and 6 Readers score between 1 and 6 4 or higher passes 4 or higher passes 3 or lower fails; one retake allowed 3 or lower fails; one retake allowed Blind and combined scoring Blind and combined scoring Receive scores in 4-6 weeks Receive scores in 4-6 weeks

Criteria Competent use of language Competent use of language Expresses ideas clearly Expresses ideas clearly Demonstrates basic competency in grammar, diction, usage, sentence structure, punctuation, and spelling Demonstrates basic competency in grammar, diction, usage, sentence structure, punctuation, and spelling Adequate organization Adequate organization Uses correct paragraph form Uses correct paragraph form Smooth transitions between paragraphs Smooth transitions between paragraphs Adequate Development Adequate Development Adequately addresses the topic and utilizes the prompt questions Adequately addresses the topic and utilizes the prompt questions Focuses on issues relevant to the assignment Focuses on issues relevant to the assignment Supports generalizations Supports generalizations

Reading THE ARTICLE Read the prompt completely first Read the prompt completely first Underline directly relative information Underline directly relative information Focus on/return to key words and phrases Focus on/return to key words and phrases Glance back to text while writing to stay on-topic Glance back to text while writing to stay on-topic

Reading the prompt Analyze Divide the subject into its component parts and explain how each part relates to the whole Compare/Contrast Identify the similarities and/or differences between two subjects and explain why they are or are not alike Define Tell what the subject is by differentiating it from other closely related subjects (similarly, tell the reader what the subject is not) Describe Paint a word picture using sensory details (e.g., sight, smell, taste)

Reading the prompt Discuss Literally, “talk about” the subject, creating a precise thesis and supporting claims with evidence/details Evaluate Use relevant criteria to judge the value or worth of the subject Explain “Show” or clarify; establish connections; tell why, how, or what Identify Distinguish and list the various parts of the subject

Reading the prompt Illustrate Explain by example and provide details Interpret Share your personal understanding of the subject, explaining the significance of the idea, event, or process in order to explain its meaning Summarize Explain the subject briefly in your own words, demonstrating your command of certain facts or ideas

WRITING Plan your essay – don’t just start writing! Plan your essay – don’t just start writing! Follow a simple structure: Follow a simple structure: Topic sentence: Asks question/makes general statementTopic sentence: Asks question/makes general statement Previews: Subtopics (for body paragraphs)Previews: Subtopics (for body paragraphs) Thesis statement: Clearly-stated claim or central ideaThesis statement: Clearly-stated claim or central idea Body paragraphs: Subtopics, specific supporting detailsBody paragraphs: Subtopics, specific supporting details Conclusion: Restatement of thesis, summaryConclusion: Restatement of thesis, summary Subdivide your main topic into component parts Subdivide your main topic into component parts

EXERCISE #1 Identify the topic sentence, previews, and thesis statement below: Prompt: Create a short essay illustrating significant differences between writing in high school and college. Evaluate whether the writing taught in high school is sufficient for college-level coursework. Response: Many students make rough transitions from the types of writing they did in their high school classes to writing for college. College writing tasks often disallow anything but third-person perspective and active voice, topics are more controversial, and professors’ research expectations are greater than those of high school teachers. Therefore, in order to prepare their students for the rigors of college writing, high school English teachers should teach the kinds of advanced writing expected of college students.

Exercise #2 Imagine the prompt addresses the topic of impacts made to society by artists and scientists.Imagine the prompt addresses the topic of impacts made to society by artists and scientists. You are to compare and evaluate which is more valued.You are to compare and evaluate which is more valued. How might you subdivide the topic?How might you subdivide the topic? ContributorsContributionsPros/ConsEvaluation Artists Graphic/visual arts, music, sculpture, poetry, acting/theatre, literature Inspires, subjective ? Scientists Medicine, more and better consumer products, exploration, warfare Objective, controversial ?

Revising Have you answered all questions completely? Have you answered all questions completely? Return to and refine unclear or rough areas. Return to and refine unclear or rough areas. Avoid using unfamiliar vocabulary. Avoid using unfamiliar vocabulary. Words/Phrases which sound good, but you are uncertain of their meaning or appropriate usage Words/Phrases which sound good, but you are uncertain of their meaning or appropriate usage Add whatever supporting details might be missing. Add whatever supporting details might be missing. Carefully proofread sentence-by-sentence, checking for misspellings and grammatical errors. Carefully proofread sentence-by-sentence, checking for misspellings and grammatical errors.

CONCLUSION Thank you for attending our workshop! Please feel free to ask questions, offer feedback, and share your own helpful tips with us at this time.