Writing on Cue

Impromptu Writing When do you have to write on demand? –ACT/SAT Test…. 30 minutes –College Placement Test –Job Interviews Why? –Judges organization of thoughts –Realistic test of writing ability –Shows your ability to think on your feet

ACT/SAT Writing Top Score: 6 Some 6 essays may be uneven, demonstrating outstanding mastery in some areas but not in others. Not all 6 essays demonstrate outstanding mastery in each area, but all 6 essays are judged to have demonstrated outstanding performance overall.

Areas of Judgment Effectively and insightfully develops a point of view and demonstrates outstanding critical thinking, using clearly evidence to support its position Is well organized and clearly demonstrates a smooth progression of ideas Exhibits skillful use of language, using a varied, apt vocabulary, and demonstrates meaningful variety in sentence structure.

Tips Handwriting is very important – you can’t score well what you can’t read. Use vocab that you can’t spell – just make sure you sirkle it and mark it with an “sp?” sp? Thesis, thesis, thesis! Even if you can make arguments for both sides, pick ONE and run with it.

Caution to the Wind! (within reason) The average high school student can write a nice 5 paragraph essay – the average score is a 3 – but you want to do better. Set your impromptu paper apart –Attention getter is very important –Unique take on the topic –Break the 5 paragraph model (but only if your capable, which is why we practice) –Reference your intro in your conclusion

Give it a try!- SAT Prompt Many people believe that to move up the ladder of success and achievement, they must forget the past, repress it, and relinquish it. But others have just the opposite view. They see old memories as a chance to reckon with the past and integrate past and present. Do memories hinder or help people in their effort to learn from the past and succeed in the present? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observation.