1. Lesson #4: Short Writing Tasks
Teacher Reference (Please use electronic version with class)
Lesson #4: Short Writing Tasks 1

2. Session Goals:
The purpose of this lesson is to…
practice responding to multiple-choice questions on writing conventions
practice constructing responses to short writing tasks that are associated with reading tasks and individual writing prompts found on the test.

3. Writing Tasks on the OSSLT
Writing is the process of communicating your understanding in various forms
Through a combination of short- and long-writing tasks, the OSSLT focuses on three writing skills:
1) developing a main idea with sufficient supporting details;
2) organizing information and ideas in a clear manner and
3) using conventions (syntax, spelling, grammar, punctuation) in a manner that does not distract from clear communication.
The lined space provided for written work indicates the approximate length of the writing expected.

4. Types of Writing Questions
There are three types of writing questions on the OSSLT:
(1) long-writing tasks , (News Report/Opinion Essay)
(2) multiple-choice questions, and
(3) short-writing tasks.

5. Types of Writing Questions
Multiple Choice Questions
The multiple-choice questions for writing deal with writing skills. You will be asked questions about grammar, sentence structure, purpose, etc.

6. Review Tips for Multiple-Choice
Many of the questions related to the reading selections are multiple choice questions
Be sure to read all the choices
Multiple Choice questions can have several possible answers. You need to select the best answer from the choices given. This means you may need to pause and think carefully about the choices given
Cross out the choices that seem totally incorrect (this is called the “process of elimination”)
Go back and review the reading if you are having trouble making a choice
Remember to put the answer in the ANSWERS Booklet. Anything you write in the QUESTIONS Booklet will not be marked.
Always try and answer the question. Never leave a question blank!

7. Types of Writing Questions
Example #1: Multiple Choice Questions related to writing
What do you think the answer is?

8. Types of Writing Questions
Example #1: Multiple Choice Questions related to writing
THE ANSWER IS D

9. Types of Writing Questions
Example #2:
Multiple Choice Question related to writing
What do you think the answer is?

10. Types of Writing Questions
Example #2: Multiple Choice Questions related to writing
THE ANSWER IS D

11. Try the following exercise:
Turn to Section II: Writing (2017)
Read through the multiple-choice questions carefully and select one best answer.
Record your answer using the Student Answer Sheet that follows the questions.
We will take them up in 10 minutes.

12. Student Activity #1: Section II: Writing (2017) (Answers)
4. B

13. (3) Short Writing Tasks- Written Answers
The short written answers come in two types:
1) Written answers related to a READING
In some cases you will be asked to provide a written answer related to a READING.
2) Written answers related to WRITING
In some cases you will be asked to provide a written answer related to a stand alone question.
Let’s look at examples on the next page.

14. Types of Writing Questions Continued
(3) Short Writing Tasks
These tasks will give students the opportunity to demonstrate their writing skills using their knowledge and personal experience.
Responses must be written in complete sentences.
Students are given six lines for their response. Try to use all the space provided.
If you are not filling in the lines- your answer is likely too brief.

15. (ii) Written answers related to WRITING- EXAMPLE
In some cases you will be asked to provide a written answer(s) related to a stand alone question.
You DON’T need to read anything in order to answer this type of question.

16. Helpful Tips For Written Answers
Use all the space given for your answer (usually 6 lines).
The answer should be a well-developed paragraph.
Remember that your response is marked for two aspects:
(1)Topic Development (main idea, supporting details and organization) /30
(2) Use of Conventions (spelling, grammar, punctuation) /20
Be careful of sentence structure, spelling, etc.
Use the S.E.E.S. Method in the Rough Work area to organize your paragraph (see next page for explanation)

17. (i) Written answers related to a READING- EXAMPLE
In some cases you will be asked to provide a written answer related to a READING.
You need to read the article to answer this written question.

18. Short Writing Tasks- Rubric
Teachers please handout the ledger handout with rubric to students.
All short writing tasks are marked for:
(1)Topic Development /30
AND
(2) Use of Conventions /20
Total= /50 marks

19. Helpful Tips For Written Answers: The S.E.E.S. method
(Open response – finding the main idea)
Organize your Rough Notes area using the SEES method. Write down SEES vertically and then jot one or two words down for each letter organizing what you want to say.
S - Sentence 1 – State what you think is the main idea.
E - Sentence 2 – List an example from the text that supports your opening statement. (could be more than one sentence)
E - Sentence 3 – Explain your examples and ideas further; Show how your examples support your opening statement.
S - Sentence 4 – Summary statement

20. Student Activity # 2: Practice Written Answer
Handout- Open the ledger handout to the article on the Canadian Museum of Civilization
This question asks you to Summarize the reading selection.

21. TIP: Student Activity #2: Stating the main idea.
Use the S.E.E.S. Method in your Rough Work area to organize your work on the Handout Provided on The Canadian Museum of Civilization. We will look at some sample answers after you have had a few minutes to write.
S – State the main idea – What is this about?
E – List an example form the text
E – Expand, prove or illustrate your main idea.
S – Summary. Make a final statement.
If you are done early. Proofread and score yourself using the rubric on the back of the handout.

22. TIP: On the actual test there is a lot of space for Rough Notes
TIP: On the actual test there is a lot of space for Rough Notes. Use it wisely.

23. TIP: Review the rubric for before you start.
A copy of the rubric is on the back of your handout.

24. Sample Answers to Student Activity #2
The next few examples are scored /30. We are just looking at the topic development part of the rubric. Remember another /20 marks is based on conventions.

25. Let’s see what a score of 10/30 looks like
This response provides a correct main idea only (“It is one of the most visited museums in the world.”).

26. Let’s see what a score of 20/30 looks like

27. Let’s see what a score of 30/30 looks like
What Rough Notes might look like for a level 30/30
S – Museum b-day 2006 (line 1,2)
E – Most visited (line 2,3,4)
E – Website (line 15,16)
S – Summary
This student has decided that when they summarized the selection the main idea was all about the number of visitors. This information was all found at the beginning and end of the reading.

28. Student Activity #3: Section D: Writing
Turn to Section D: Writing on page 8 of the Booklet 1 QUESTIONS book.
Write your response on page 6 of the Booklet 1 ANSWERS book.
Notice that this is a stand alone question. It does not require that you read something before answering.
Use the SEES method to plan your response in the rough note area on page 6.

29. Student Activity #3: Section D: Writing
SEES METHOD REVIEW (Personal Experiences)
S - Sentence 1 – A Statement that rewrites the question and gives a clear/specific answer to it, that is based on your personal knowledge and experiences.
E - Sentence 2 – Examples based from your own knowledge and/or that stem from your own past experiences, which support your opening statement. (could be more than one sentence)
E - Sentence 3 – Explanation - Show how the examples you provide, supports the your answer; supply reasons which support your opening statement. (could be more than one sentence)
S - Sentence 4 – Summary statement. Close your response with one sentence. Summarize in one sentence.
Use the rubric provided on the back of the handout to self and peer evaluate your work.

30. Thank you for your attention and participation!
If you would like a copy of this PowerPoint you can visit for all the materials used for each OSSLT preparation lesson. Select the “OSSLT” under the “Academics” tab.
Please keep your tips and practice booklets and revisit them between now and the test.
OSSLT ASSEMBLY - APRIL 4 (Caf/Library)
OSSLT TEST - APRIL 10 - Good Luck!

31. Here are the answers to the other multiple-choice questions provided in the booklet. The questions taken from the 2013 and 2016 test.

32. Try the other following multiple-choice questions on writing:
Turn to Section II: Writing (2013)
Read through the multiple-choice questions carefully and select one best answer.
Record your answer using the Student Answer Sheet that follows the questions.
We will take them up in 10 minutes.

33. Student Activity #1: Section II: Writing (2013) (Answers)
3. B
4. A

34. Now...try another set of questions…
Turn to Section II: Writing (2016)
Read through the multiple-choice questions carefully and select one best answer.
Record your answer using the Student Answer Sheet that follows the questions.
We will take them up in 10 minutes.

35. Student Activity #2: Section II: Writing (2016) (Answers)