Critical Analysis of On-Demand Prompts
1. This year’s On-Demand testing window for seniors: September 14th through 25th
two ninety sixty 2. In September on this year’s On-Demand Assessment, you will be given two separate timed writings: 3. One will be a ninety-minute prompt. Another will be a sixty-minute prompt. Both prompts will allow time extensions.
direct 4. One prompt will be a direct prompt. Direct prompt means that you will simply pull from your own knowledge base to answer the prompt.
two form audience purpose 5. The direct prompt will allow you a choice of two tasks, and you may choose the task to which you would like to respond. 6. The task will have the form assigned in the prompt as well as the audience and purpose.
passage non-fiction 7. The second prompt MAY be passage- based—or it may be direct. 8. Passage-based prompts will ask you to draw, in part, on a non-fiction passage that is provided for your response.
reading passage 9. YOU MUST REMEMBER: In a passage-based prompt, your response MUST refer to the reading passage--otherwise, you will miss the purpose--and end up with a zero.
two logical forms 10. The second prompt will allow you the choice of two logical forms provided in the prompt along with audience and purpose.
analyze 11. Remember that the first prompt allows you the choice between two tasks; therefore, you must be able to analyze both writing tasks to determine which one offers you the most success.
Critical thinking Critical thinking is an absolute necessity when analyzing on- demand writing prompts.
13. Remember: A critical thinker is one who is able to…
1. observe 2. analyze 3. recognize ambiguity 4. accept complexity 5. identify assumptions 6. assume perspectives of another 7. adopt multiple perspectives 8. synthesize 9. recognize bias 10. evaluate
passage-based direct In an effort to model what the actual assessment will be, you will be given two prompts today. 14. One is passage-based, the other is direct.
analyze 15. We will learn to critically analyze these tasks so you can choose the one that offers you the most opportunity for success.
16. Every On-Demand prompt has three parts: 1. The Situation 2. The Writing Task 3. The Scoring Criteria
critically Right now, read critically through the parts of both prompts, keeping in mind that you must decide which one offers you the most opportunity for success.
analyze both tasks We must now analyze both tasks.
Analyzing the task includes three steps:
Identifying the form Step One: 17. Identifying the form. Remember—The On-Demand forms include the following: *editorial *article *letter *speech
Identifying the audience. 18. Step Two: Identifying the audience.
purpose Step Three: Identifying the purpose. Remember—The On-Demand purposes include the following: *narrate*inform*persuade
Outlining
Once you have identified the purpose, the audience, and the form of both prompts, you are ready to determine which of the two prompts you think will allow you the most success.
September Right now, you should have out on your desk ONLY the one prompt that you have chosen and some blank paper for outlining. Remember: In September, the school will provide you with blank paper on which to outline and prewrite, and the KDE will supply you the form on which to write your actual response.
Remember also that you ARE allowed to use a dictionary and thesaurus during the On-Demand Assessment.
The best way to insure that you clearly and thoroughly support answer the prompt is to create an outline first.
For any of the forms we must know, the standard outline for an essay is sufficient—therefore, the central idea must be created first.
Central ideas MUST be one statement that you can consider your purpose statement. It MUST be arguable; otherwise, your purpose would be pointless.
Here is a released task from the state: Situation: Latest fashion. Video games. CD’s. Computer Software. Everyone gets caught up at one time or another with wanting new things. Maurice Sendak, author of the children’s book Where the Wild Things Are, believes the following: “There must be more to life than having everything.” Task: Write an editorial for your school newspaper persuading the readers to support you opinion in regard to this quote.
Identify the three critical points for the task: Situation: Latest fashion. Video games. CD’s. Computer Software. Everyone gets caught up at one time or another with wanting new things. Maurice Sendak, author of the children’s book Where the Wild Things Are, believes the following: “There must be more to life than having everything.” Task: Write an editorial for your school newspaper persuading the readers to support you opinion in regard to this quote.
Once you are ready to create your outline, your central idea MUST contain an opinion-based statement about the purpose.
In this case, I know that I must develop an opinion about Sendak’s quote. Situation: Latest fashion. Video games. CD’s. Computer Software. Everyone gets caught up at one time or another with wanting new things. Maurice Sendak, author of the children’s book Where the Wild Things Are, believes the following: “There must be more to life than having everything.” Task: Write an editorial for your school newspaper persuading the readers to support your opinion in regard to this quote.
I must develop a central idea that has a clear statement of that opinion. Situation: Latest fashion. Video games. CD’s. Computer Software. Everyone gets caught up at one time or another with wanting new things. Maurice Sendak, author of the children’s book Where the Wild Things Are, believes the following: “There must be more to life than having everything.” Task: Write an editorial for your school newspaper persuading the readers to support your opinion in regard to this quote.
Sample Central Idea: In saying that “[t]here must be more to life than having everything,” Sendak has undoubtedly recognized one of America’s greatest fallacies: the more you have, the happier you will be. Situation: Latest fashion. Video games. CD’s. Computer Software. Everyone gets caught up at one time or another with wanting new things. Maurice Sendak, author of the children’s book Where the Wild Things Are, believes the following: “There must be more to life than having everything.” Task: Write an editorial for your school newspaper persuading the readers to support your opinion in regard to this quote.
Now you will write your own central idea for the task you have chosen.
Once you’ve developed your central idea, you’re ready to develop your thesis statement. Remember: The central idea is WHAT you’re going to prove. The thesis statement is HOW you’re going to prove--or the points you will use to prove it.
A thesis statement has two main parts: 1) a hook to the main idea 2) the main reasons or points of support you will use to support your central idea. Note: Three reasons or points of support is always a safe number for which to aim.
Situation: Latest fashion. Video games. CD’s. Computer Software. Everyone gets caught up at one time or another with wanting new things. Maurice Sendak, author of the children’s book Where the Wild Things Are, believes the following: “There must be more to life than having everything.” Task: Write an editorial for your school newspaper persuading the readers to support your opinion in regard to this quote.
Central Idea: In saying that “[t]here must be more to life than having everything,” Sendak has undoubtedly recognized one of America’s greatest fallacies: the more you have, the happier you will be. Thesis Statement: The truth of Sendak’s statement is reflected in the mirror of America’s failing marriages, the plethora of self-help books and television shows, and an increased interest in spiritual matters.
Thesis Statement: The truth of Sendak’s statement is reflected in the mirror of America’s failing marriages, the plethora of self-help books and television shows, and an increased interest in spiritual matters. Remember: The reasons or points in your thesis must be parallel, and they should be arranged in the order that will have the most effective impact on your audience.
Thesis Statement: The truth of Sendak’s statement is reflected in the mirror of America’s failing marriages, the plethora of self-help books and television shows, and an increased interest in spiritual matters. Something Else to Remember: You should use all three different types of appeals: *Intellectual appeal (facts, statistics, data) *Emotional appeal *Ethical appeal (appealing to the audience’s sense of right and wrong)
After you have developed your thesis, you’re ready to organize the specific details you will use to support the reasons in your thesis.
Thesis Statement: The truth of Sendak’s statement is reflected in the mirror of America’s failing marriages, the plethora of self-help books and television shows, and an increased interest in spiritual matters. Example of details: Thesis Point One: America’s failing marriages Detail 1:According to George Barna, over 50% of marriages in America end up in divorce. Detail 2: Many marriages, even if they don’t end up in divorce, display evidence of the dissatisfaction of one or both partners.
Outlining for an On-Demand Response
Once you have identified the purpose, the audience, and the form of both prompts, you are ready to determine which of the two prompts you think will allow you the most success.
September Right now, you should have out on your desk ONLY the one prompt that you have chosen and some blank paper for outlining. Remember: In September, the school will provide you with blank paper on which to outline and prewrite, and the KDE will supply you the form on which to write your actual response.
Remember also that you ARE allowed to use a dictionary and thesaurus during the On-Demand Assessment.
Outlining
The best way to insure that you clearly and thoroughly support answer the prompt is to create an outline first.
For any of the forms we must know, the standard outline for an essay is sufficient—therefore, the central idea must be created first.
Central ideas MUST be one statement that you can consider your purpose statement. It MUST be arguable; otherwise, your purpose would be pointless.
Here is a released task from the state: Situation: Latest fashion. Video games. CD’s. Computer Software. Everyone gets caught up at one time or another with wanting new things. Maurice Sendak, author of the children’s book Where the Wild Things Are, believes the following: “There must be more to life than having everything.” Task: Write an editorial for your school newspaper persuading the readers to support you opinion in regard to this quote.
Identify the three critical points for the task: Situation: Latest fashion. Video games. CD’s. Computer Software. Everyone gets caught up at one time or another with wanting new things. Maurice Sendak, author of the children’s book Where the Wild Things Are, believes the following: “There must be more to life than having everything.” Task: Write an editorial for your school newspaper persuading the readers to support you opinion in regard to this quote.
Once you are ready to create your outline, your central idea MUST contain an opinion-based statement about the purpose.
In this case, I know that I must develop an opinion about Sendak’s quote. Situation: Latest fashion. Video games. CD’s. Computer Software. Everyone gets caught up at one time or another with wanting new things. Maurice Sendak, author of the children’s book Where the Wild Things Are, believes the following: “There must be more to life than having everything.” Task: Write an editorial for your school newspaper persuading the readers to support your opinion in regard to this quote.
I must develop a central idea that has a clear statement of that opinion. Situation: Latest fashion. Video games. CD’s. Computer Software. Everyone gets caught up at one time or another with wanting new things. Maurice Sendak, author of the children’s book Where the Wild Things Are, believes the following: “There must be more to life than having everything.” Task: Write an editorial for your school newspaper persuading the readers to support your opinion in regard to this quote.
Sample Central Idea: In saying that “[t]here must be more to life than having everything,” Sendak has undoubtedly recognized one of America’s greatest fallacies: the more you have, the happier you will be. Situation: Latest fashion. Video games. CD’s. Computer Software. Everyone gets caught up at one time or another with wanting new things. Maurice Sendak, author of the children’s book Where the Wild Things Are, believes the following: “There must be more to life than having everything.” Task: Write an editorial for your school newspaper persuading the readers to support your opinion in regard to this quote.
Now you will write your own central idea for the task you have chosen.
Once you’ve developed your central idea, you’re ready to develop your thesis statement. Remember: The central idea is WHAT you’re going to prove. The thesis statement is HOW you’re going to prove--or the points you will use to prove it.
A thesis statement has two main parts: 1) a hook to the main idea 2) the main reasons or points of support you will use to support your central idea. Note: Three reasons or points of support is always a safe number for which to aim.
Situation: Latest fashion. Video games. CD’s. Computer Software. Everyone gets caught up at one time or another with wanting new things. Maurice Sendak, author of the children’s book Where the Wild Things Are, believes the following: “There must be more to life than having everything.” Task: Write an editorial for your school newspaper persuading the readers to support your opinion in regard to this quote.
Central Idea: In saying that “[t]here must be more to life than having everything,” Sendak has undoubtedly recognized one of America’s greatest fallacies: the more you have, the happier you will be. Thesis Statement: The truth of Sendak’s statement is reflected in the mirror of America’s failing marriages, the plethora of self-help books and television shows, and an increased interest in spiritual matters.
Thesis Statement: The truth of Sendak’s statement is reflected in the mirror of America’s failing marriages, the plethora of self-help books and television shows, and an increased interest in spiritual matters. Remember: The reasons or points in your thesis must be parallel, and they should be arranged in the order that will have the most effective impact on your audience.
Thesis Statement: The truth of Sendak’s statement is reflected in the mirror of America’s failing marriages, the plethora of self-help books and television shows, and an increased interest in spiritual matters. Something Else to Remember: You should use all three different types of appeals: *Intellectual appeal (facts, statistics, data) *Emotional appeal *Ethical appeal (appealing to the audience’s sense of right and wrong)
After you have developed your thesis, you’re ready to organize the specific details you will use to support the reasons in your thesis.
Thesis Statement: The truth of Sendak’s statement is reflected in the mirror of America’s failing marriages, the plethora of self-help books and television shows, and an increased interest in spiritual matters. Example of details: Thesis Point One: America’s failing marriages Detail 1:According to George Barna, over 50% of marriages in America end up in divorce. Detail 2: Many marriages, even if they don’t end up in divorce, display evidence of the dissatisfaction of one or both partners.