Writing 101-Preparing for the 8 th Grade Writing Assessment

8 th Grade Writing Assessment 100 minute timed writing 100 minute timed writing Given to every 8 th grader in the state Given to every 8 th grader in the state 1/22/2014 1/22/2014 Either expository or persuasive/argumentative style writing(luck of the draw) Either expository or persuasive/argumentative style writing(luck of the draw)

Where/how am I tested? You will be tested in homeroom. You will be tested in homeroom. You have about 100 minutes to write a two page essay. You have about 100 minutes to write a two page essay. Rough draft plus final copy…in black or blue NONeraseable pen! Rough draft plus final copy…in black or blue NONeraseable pen! No dictionaries or white out No dictionaries or white out Just you and your brain Just you and your brain

Does this test count? Not as a grade, but it is used for high school placement and more. Not as a grade, but it is used for high school placement and more. Ways to get a zero… Ways to get a zero… Illegible writing Illegible writing Writing in a foreign language Writing in a foreign language Writing profanities Writing profanities Writing in poetry/rap Writing in poetry/rap

8 th Grade Writing Assessment Ideas 40% Ideas 40% Organization 20% Organization 20% Style 20% Style 20% Conventions 20% Conventions 20%

Genres: Expository Writing6 Defining Expository Writing Expository Writing: Writing that enhances the reader’s understanding of a topic by instructing, explaining, clarifying, describing, or examining a subject or concept. Method Provides facts, statistics, descriptive details, comparison, contrast, analysis, evaluation, definition, humor, and personal anecdotes. Provides facts, statistics, descriptive details, comparison, contrast, analysis, evaluation, definition, humor, and personal anecdotes.

What is expository-writing? Writing to inform… Writing to inform… Different styles such as Different styles such as Comparison and Contrast Essay Cause and Effect Essay How-To Essay Problem/solution

Defining Persuasive Writing Persuasive Writing: Writing that has as its purpose convincing others to accept the writer’s position as valid, adopt a certain point of view, or take some action. Method: Provides logical appeals, emotional/ethical appeals, facts, statistics, narrative anecdotes, humor, and/or the writer’s personal experiences and knowledge. Provides logical appeals, emotional/ethical appeals, facts, statistics, narrative anecdotes, humor, and/or the writer’s personal experiences and knowledge. Address counter-argument Address counter-argument

What is persuasive/argumentative writing? Writing to persuade Writing to persuade Different styles such as Different styles such asCompare/contrastProblem/Solution Addresses the counter-argument Addresses the counter-argument

Sample Writing Assessment topics Expository Writing Topic 8221/Writing Situation In some countries, students are responsible for the basic cleaning of their school buildings. Fifteen minutes is set aside each day for all students to sweep, dust, and clean their classrooms and hallways. Think about what your class could do to clean the school. Directions for Writing Directions for Writing Write a letter to your teacher explaining your solution for cleaning the school. Provide specific details so that your teacher will understand what your class will do.

Persuasive Writing Topic 8121/Writing Situation In some countries, students are responsible for the basic cleaning of their school buildings. Fifteen minutes is set aside each day for all students to sweep, dust, and clean their classrooms and hallways. Think about how you would feel if students were responsible for cleaning your school. clean their classrooms and hallways. Think about how you would feel if students were responsible for cleaning your school. Directions for Writing Write a letter to your teacher in which you convince the teacher that students should or should not be required to clean your school. Defend your position with specific reasons and detailed examples reasons and detailed examples

Writing 101 or Back To Basics! What is a paragraph? What is a paragraph? A group of related (key point!) sentences that work together to develop a single idea A group of related (key point!) sentences that work together to develop a single idea Do you have a New Idea?? Do you have a New Idea?? Then start a New Paragraph!! Then start a New Paragraph!!

What’s in a paragraph? All paragraphs need a TOPIC SENTENCE All paragraphs need a TOPIC SENTENCE Supporting sentences/details Supporting sentences/details Transition words (such as, for example, at times, however, etc.) Transition words (such as, for example, at times, however, etc.)

Writing 101 or Back To Basics! Cont’d…THREE PART THESIS What is a THREE PART THESIS? (last sentence of intro. paragraph) What is a THREE PART THESIS? (last sentence of intro. paragraph) Where do I start? Where do I start? Choose three main ideas that you want to focus on Choose three main ideas that you want to focus on Decide what order you want to put them in (least to most important, chronological order, etc.) Decide what order you want to put them in (least to most important, chronological order, etc.)

Write a COMPOUND-COMPLEX sentence about your three main ideas Write a COMPOUND-COMPLEX sentence about your three main ideas Remember…CP-CX is a dependent clause AND two independent clauses Remember…CP-CX is a dependent clause AND two independent clauses Use subordinating conjunctions like SINCE, IF, UNTIL, WHEN, WHILE Use subordinating conjunctions like SINCE, IF, UNTIL, WHEN, WHILE

For example… For example… Prompt: Write a persuasive essay on why students need recess Prompt: Write a persuasive essay on why students need recess Step one…three good reasons! Step one…three good reasons!

Current schedule is stressful Current schedule is stressful Recess lets kids get exercise Recess lets kids get exercise Recess allows for socialization Recess allows for socialization Since middle school can be stressful for students, a recess time would allow kids to get exercise, and it would give them a chance to socialize with friends. Since middle school can be stressful for students, a recess time would allow kids to get exercise, and it would give them a chance to socialize with friends. Each of these traits then become a separate paragraph! Each of these traits then become a separate paragraph!