Writing Tips There, Their, and They’re are three different words with very different meanings. There refers to a location. I am going over there. Their is possessive. It is their home. They’re is a contraction for they are. They’re going to the game.

Writing Tips Certain words you use in everyday life are not appropriate for FCAT Writes. Wanna should be want to. Gonna should be going to. Do not curse in your essay. Do not use contractions. Remember this is a formal essay use formal words.

Writing Tips PUNCTUATION Exclamation points add emphasis to what you are saying. Using multiple exclamation points takes away from that emphasis. Make sure if you are asking a question use a question mark (?).

Writing Tips Be very direct in your writing. The reader should know what you will be discussing by the end of the first paragraph. Don’t waffle back in forth in your writing. Commit to what you want to write about.

Writing Tips Don’t assume the reader knows everything that is inside your head. If you make a statement some explanation is required. Example: Setting a curfew will mean less drugs. Why? Explain statements like this with good reasoning.

Paragraphs Paragraphs are key tools when writing essays. They allow you to develop specific ideas that add to your essay overall. A good essay, in the amount of time given for FCAT Writes, should be 4-6 paragraphs.

4 Square Writing Method This method works for all types of writing. It will help you organize your thoughts and break down each element of writing. First we will look at how this method can assist you in writing a paragraph.

Reason 1      Reason 2       Reason 3 Reason 4 Main Idea

Example If the prompt was about music. What type of music would you write about? What are some main ideas about that music? Then what are some reasons that support those main ideas.

I love the lyrics in rap music. Good rap music creates really cool images in my mind. I love surprising rhymes in rap.       Rap lyrics don’t have to follow any grammar rules. Good lyrics have an amazing flow to them. I love the lyrics in rap music.

4 Square Writing Method Assignment You will be using the 4 Square Writing Method to come up with three paragraphs on the same topic. The topic will be music. Think of three main ideas of why you like the music you like. Write those ideas down. Draw three 4 Square graphic organizers. Fill each main idea box with one of your main ideas. Next fill in the remaining boxes with specific reasons that support your main idea.

4 Square Method Assignment Continued Take the three graphic organizers you created and put them into paragraph form. Notice how you now have three body paragraphs for an essay on music.