1. Literacy Test Preparation
Writing a Series of Paragraphs
(Expressing your opinion in a Long Writing task)

2. Writing Tasks on the Literacy Test
On the literacy test, you will have two long writing tasks
1) A News Report
and
2) A Series of Paragraphs (Opinion Essay)
Today’s lesson will focus on: A Series of Paragraphs

3. The instructions are always the same for the Writing A Series of Paragraphs question. The only change is the topic you are given to write about.
Here is a copy of a sample question directly from the Literacy Test. On the next slide we will break down the requirements.

4. Breaking down the requirements so there are no surprises later:
Written instruction on the Test
Expectation of the instruction
“Task: Write a minimum of three paragraphs expressing an opinion…”
Notice the word “minimum”. Three paragraphs will NOT be enough for full marks and you need to earn a 75% to pass. Prepare a FIVE paragraph essay. This allows you to fill in the space more easily and systematically.
“Purpose and Audience: an adult who is interested in your opinion.”
Use language that would make your teacher proud.
“Length:…”
EQAO always gives you two pages with a total of 48 lines across the page to answer the question. This space should be filled but not exceeded.
“Topic:…”
You are given a single sentence which you can Agree or Disagree with. It doesn’t matter which point of view you take. Pick one side and stick with it.

5. How your work is marked Each answer is assigned two marks :
Topic Development (main idea, supporting details and organization)
Use of Conventions (spelling, grammar, punctuation)

6. Helpful Tips
The “Topic” is always a single statement which you can argue For or Against. There is no right or wrong answer. Pick one side of the argument only and stick with it. AVOID the approach “I agree in some cases but disagree in other cases”.
There is no reading attached to this question. All information comes from your own experience and imagination.
There is a “Rough Notes” area which is not marked. Use the State Prove Explain method in this area to organize your thoughts. This will make your organization and task of filling two pages (48 lines) much easier.
You can use “I think”, “I agree” in your response. This is your opinion, don’t pretend it’s a fact.

7. Let’s try an example
We will look at how to set-up the Rough Notes area
How to transfer your Rough Notes into your final Series of Paragraphs.
Finally, we will look at exemplars. These will show us how actual student work was marked.

8. The question will look exactly like this
The question will look exactly like this. This will be written at the top of the page. The rest of the page (half page underneath) is blank for you to use for your Rough Notes

9. The next two pages will look like this.
48 lines exactly for your answer

10. Introduction Paragraph
The final Series of Paragraphs should look like this. To get to this level great of Topic Development, the Rough Notes area is very important
Introduction Paragraph
Body Paragraph #1
Body Paragraph #2
Body Paragraph #3
Conclusion Paragraph
Transition Word

11. Remember... The State Prove Explain method
In the Rough Notes area:
Write if you Agree or Disagree with the statement
S - Sentence 1 – State you first Argument. (Directly Supports your
point of view – Agree or Disagree)
P - Sentence 2 – Prove with a specific example which supports your first point. (could be more than one sentence)
E - Sentence 3 – Explain how your evidence proves the point you are trying to make (could be more than one sentence)

12. Topic:. Is it a good idea for high school students to
Topic: Is it a good idea for high school students to have a part-time job?
Rough Notes
** Notice the two page task has been organized into only 35 words. Most of your time doing Rough Notes should be spent Thinking. You only have to write enough here to jog your own memory and get organized.

13. Thesis Statement
The thesis is the blueprint for your essay. It is stated in your introduction.
Your thesis will include:
Your position on the subject
Remember that you must pick one side of the argument and only present points that support that side throughout your essay.
State your three arguments
Thesis = opinion + a + b + C

14. How you are marked on the Series of Paragraphs (Total possible marks=100)
There are two rubrics:
1) Topic Development (main idea, supporting details, organization)
You can earn up to 60 marks
And
2) Conventions (spelling, grammar, punctuation)
You can earn up to 40 marks

15. The Rubric for marking Topic Development (main idea, supporting details and organization) looks like this

16. Let’s see how some students actually scored on this question
Let’s see how some students actually scored on this question. Marks range from 0 to 60 in increments of 5. You can score a 35 (half way between a level 30 or 40) or 40 but not a 38. FULL responses are shown. Notice the length of the ones with the lower marks. Since you need 75% to pass, the lowest passing grade is 45.

21. CODE 50

22. Before we look at a perfect Code 60, let’s revisit the Rough Notes made earlier Topic: Is it a good idea for high school students to have a part-time job?
Rough Notes AGREE
S1 – Income
E1 – Out with friend
E1 – Clothing
S1 – Avoid running to parents
S2 – Independence
E2 – Self-sufficient, maturity
E2 – Commitment, don’t let employers down
S2 – Responsibility, accomplishment
S3 – Work Experience
E3 – Resume, 2 people fighting over a job
E3 – Like, dislikes about jobs
S3 – People skills
** Notice the two page task has been organized into only 35 words. Most of your time doing Rough Notes should be spent Thinking. You only have to write enough here to jog your own memory and get organized.

23. CODE 60

24. The Rubric for marking Use of Conventions (Spelling, Grammar, Punctuation) looks like this
Let’s look at some actual student answers. Marks range from 0 to 40 again marked in increments of 5. The topic is different to give you something new to read.

26. Code 20

28. CODE 40

29. Teacher Reference (Please use electronic version with students)
Your task: Practice writing a series of paragraphs on the white ledger handout provided by your teacher Or The following are Series of Paragraphs sample “Topics”. Give yourself ½ page for rough notes and 48 lines to answer.
Is it a good idea for high school students to have a part-time job?
Are today’s famous people good role models for young people?
Should the sale of “junk foods” be banned from Ontario secondary schools?
Should school uniforms be mandatory at the secondary level?
Should joining a club or team be mandatory at the secondary level?
Should Physical Education classes be mandatory for all four years of high school?