1. PSSA Writing Test February 9th-20 th, 2009

2. Why is this important? In the 11 th grade, you must demonstrate proficiency in writing in order to graduate. If you score Basic or Below Basic on the 11 th grade PSSA Writing test, you will be required to submit a PSSA Portfolio for graduation. Grades 5 and 8 are checkpoints to ensure that you are making progress toward the final 11 th grade goal.

3. What will the test be like? In grade 8 there are: 20 Multiple Choice questions for editing and revision 3 writing prompts

4. Multiple Choice Section 5 Short passages with errors Each passage is followed by 4 multiple choice questions (20 MC questions). Questions will focus on revising and editing the passages. Answers are a part of your conventions score.

5. Prompts 8 th graders will respond in writing to 3 prompts. These are “on demand” writing tasks; that means you do not read a passage before you write. The only thing you have to rely on for your answer is the knowledge you already have – prior knowledge.

6. What will I be asked to do? Write in 2 different modes Show that you are proficient in all 5 domains of writing

7. What is a mode of writing? Mode means type, style, or genre. There are many modes of writing such as narrative, poetic, informational, and persuasive. Only persuasive and informational modes will be tested in grades 8 and 11. No narrative.

8. Let’s Play Guess the Mode… Hints: An informational prompt will ask for an explanation, clarification, evaluation, comparison, instructions, description, or definition. A persuasive prompt will ask you to take a side, convince, persuade, support an opinion, defend, argue, or refute.

9. Informational or Persuasive? A new principal is contacting all students about changing or adding to the school rules. Think of a rule you would like to change or add. Write to convince your principal to use your suggestion. PERSUASIVE KEY WORD=CONVINCE

10. Informational or Persuasive? You are the class president and have been asked to write an introduction for a person you admire greatly. Write an essay describing the most admirable qualities of the person. INFORMATIONAL - DESCRIPTIVE KEY WORD= DESCRIBE

11. Informational or Persuasive? Many areas have laws that require motorcycle and bicycle riders to wear helmets. Do these laws conflict with your right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness?” Take a position for or against these laws and write an essay supporting your view. PERSUASIVE- POSITION PAPER KEY WORD=POSITION

12. Informational or Persuasive? “Great thoughts speak only to a thoughtful mind, but great actions speak to all humankind.” —Emily P. Bissell How do “great actions speak to all humankind”? Write an essay that explains your understanding of this quotation. INFORMATIONAL- EXPOSITORY KEY WORD=EXPLAIN

13. Informational or Persuasive? Think about discoveries or inventions that have affected our lives. Select one. Write to inform someone about this discovery or invention. Tell whether it has been good or bad for society. INFORMATIONAL KEY WORD=INFORM Note: The bulk of what you are being asked to do is to inform someone. You are asked to include your opinion, but you are NOT asked to persuade the reader.

14. Helpful Hints When taking the test, first decide what mode is being asked for. Do they want me to inform? Do they want me to persuade?

15. Informational If they want you to inform, figure out what type of information they want. Narrative Procedure/Instructive/“How to” Descriptive Compare/Contrast Expository

16. If It’s “How to” Think: Tell what you’re teaching and why. Materials needed (if any) Steps with good transitions Anticipate problems a reader may have.

17. If It’s Descriptive Think: Imagery or Word Picture Characteristics/Qualities Adjectives Sensory details

18. If It’s Expository Think: Make a point /Answer the question Back it up with Details Examples Explanation Anecdote – a short, real life example Facts – if you’ve got them

19. If It’s Compare/Contrast Think: Organization Point by point

20. If It’s Persuasive Think: Take a strong position -one position even if you see both sides! No wishy-washies. Back it up with logical reasons and any facts that you may have. Use persuasive techniques like rhetorical questions, repetition, and ideas that will appeal to your audience. Recognize and refute (reasonably) one counter argument that your opposition might have.

21. You focus your writing when you: answer the prompt and make your point. stick to your point from start to finish. write to your audience in a style and tone that match the mode (persuasive, informational).

22. Your content is strong when you include: examples explanations elaboration evidence details reasons facts anecdotes connections to support your point and help your reader understand what you’re saying.

23. You show strong organization when you arrange your ideas in a helpful way, such as: most to least important reasons least to most important reasons similarities then differences topic by topic chronological order (first to last) Use of paragraphing, with topic sentences and transitional words, is KEY!

24. You get style points for : using high level, appropriate vocabulary. using a variety of sentence styles (simple, compound, complex). creating a strong tone that suits the mode (persuasive, expert/informational). writing in a way that would reach your target audience.

25. For a high conventions score you must have: correct spelling. complete sentences. correct end punctuation. correct internal punctuation (commas, semicolons). correct capitalization. logical paragraphing with topic sentences.