The Pennsylvania System of School Assessment WRITING

Test Description The PSSA Writing Assessment will be given to all 11 th grade students in Pennsylvania during the weeks of February 11 and 19, The purpose of the test is to measure students’ writing skills. You will be asked to answer multiple-choice questions and respond to two writing prompts.

All 11 th grade students in Central Bucks will take the PSSA Writing Test on February 11 th, 13 th and 19th. DAY 1: Multiple Choice Embedded Error Passages (75 minutes) DAY 2: Informational Writing Prompt (80 minutes) DAY 3: Persuasive Writing Prompt (80 minutes)

Day 1: Embedded-Error Passages—what does this mean? This means you have to find errors in a paragraph. The kinds of errors you will have to find might be spelling, the correct use of commas, contractions, transitional words...just to name a few! The purpose of the passages and multiple-choice items is to see how well you revise and edit written text. Each multiple-choice item is connected to an embedded-error passage and has four answer choices. Remember—you can write, highlight, or underline on the test!

Go to page two (2) of your PSSA writing packet to find a sample embedded-error passage. Read and answer question #1. When everyone is finished, we will look at the answer.

1. Which word best completes sentence 4? HINT: cross out the answers you know are incorrect first! A.because B.although C.however D.consequently (Hint: think about what you know about transitional words. Some indicate cause/effect, others sequence, etc.)

1. Which word best completes sentence 4? A.because * Students are asked to use logic in selecting an appropriate transitional word to complete a sentence. Students must recognize the two independent clauses within the sentence as well as the relationship between the two clauses to arrive at the correct answer. Answer options include two subordinating conjunctions and two adverbs, any of which can show relationships between clauses. In this case, the second clause explains the first clause; therefore, because is the best answer.

Turn to page 3 of your packet. Complete questions 2 and 3 with a partner and discuss your answers. Be able to explain your answers!

3. Which revision of sentence 7 is punctuated correctly? B.These floating spheres can be tough to capture, so astronauts have to be exceptionally careful when drinking any kind of liquid. (When joining independent clauses, the comma goes before the conjunction. In this case, “so”)

3. In a final revision, which information would logically follow sentence 9? D.examples of possible “exasperating complications” (The words “exasperating complications” serve as a cue)

Days 2 and 3: Writing Prompts During each section of the assessment you will be asked to write and respond to a written prompt. 11 th graders will write in two modes: Day 1: Informational Day 2: Persuasive.

What does good writing include? Turn to page four (4) in your packet. FOCUS: developing a thesis and sticking to your topic CONTENT: Supporting thesis using specific facts, examples, details ORGANIZATION: 5 Paragraphs— Introduction + 3 body paragraphs + Conclusion STYLE: Choose words carefully, remember your audience CONVENTIONS: Spelling & Grammar

Before looking at actual prompts, let’s look at a pre-writing strategy: PLAN Pay attention to the prompt, List the main idea, Add supporting details, Number your ideas.

Informational Writing Informational or explanatory communication involves presenting information through reporting, explaining, summarizing and defining.

Let’s look at a sample informational writing prompt… Good design is a blend of form and function. What product might you design that would improve people’s lives? Write an essay in which you describe this product and how it would affect people’s lives. Turn to page 6 of your packet

Here is a sample response to the informational essay prompt.Would this essay receive an advanced score? Read the essay individually. With a partner,underline examples of the writer’s focus, content, and organization. Use the rubric in your packet as a guide. How did the writer establish voice? Note the lack of spelling and grammatical errors.

Day 3: Persuasive Writing In persuasive writing, a writer takes a position FOR or AGAINST an issue and writes to convince the reader to believe or do something. Persuasive writing is often used in advertisements to get the reader to buy a product.

When writing a persuasive essay... You need more than opinion; you need facts or examples to support your opinion. Persuasive writing moves the reader to take action or to form or change an opinion.

Let’s look at a sample persuasive writing prompt: At what age are people ready to assume the rights of adulthood? Write an essay to persuade others that your position is a valid one. Turn to page 12 of your packet

Here is a sample response to previous persuasive essay prompt. Would this essay receive an advanced score? Read the essay individually. With a partner,underline examples of the writer’s focus, content, and organization. Use the rubric in your packet as a guide. What techniques did the writer use to persuade his audience? Note the lack of spelling and grammatical errors.

Now you are ready to WRITE W rite from your PLAN to develop your thesis statement, R emember your goals, I nclude transition words for each paragraph, T ry to use different kinds of sentences, and E xciting, interesting words.

What does good writing include? Look through the last four (4) pages of your packet. FOCUS: developing a thesis and sticking to your topic CONTENT: Supporting thesis using specific facts, examples, details ORGANIZATION: 5 Paragraphs— Introduction + 3 body paragraphs + Conclusion STYLE: Choose words carefully, remember your audience CONVENTIONS: Spelling & Grammar

Some final reminders when taking the PSSA Look back into the passage for some multiple-choice items Note underlined words in the items Read ALL choices carefully be selecting one Write only within the lined pages and be sure to use more than one page Use strategies for planning, organizing and reviewing your writing

Some final reminders when taking the PSSA Check out our class wiki for many resources to help you prepare for the PSSA (as well as some other cool class stuff) at: – or accessible via hyperlink from our Class of 2009 Webpage at: –