How to Conquer the 5th Grade Writing Test

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How to Conquer the 5th Grade Writing Test

• By Mountain Park 5th Grade Teachers

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Ideas

• Stick to the topic and develop a main idea.
• Include descriptive, supporting details.
• Add personal experiences and/or examples about
  the topic.
• Write enough! An essay or story should be no less
  than 1 ½ pages, or it may be considered too short
  to score.

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Organization

• The lead must grab the readers attention and
  introduce the topic or begin the story.
• Write in paragraphs, sequenced with the most
  important idea first for informational or
  persuasive. Events must be sequenced in time
  order in narrative writing.
• Transition smoothly and creatively from one idea
  or event to the next.
• Write an effective ending that does not repeat
  ideas and gives the audience a sense of closure.

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Style

• Sentence Variety Use different length
  sentences include a mixture of declarative,
  interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory
  sentences use simple, compound, and complex
  sentences.
• Voice- Pay attention to the audience by writing
  as if the student is speaking, like a
  conversation with the reader. Individual
  personalities should shine through!
• Word Choice Use higher level vocabulary that is
  exact and engaging (hundred dollar words,
  awesome adjectives, vivid verbs, etc.).

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Conventions

• Sentence Structure- no sentence fragments or
  run-ons!
• Punctuation end punctuation is the most
  important, but also quotation marks, commas, etc.
• Grammar- subject/verb agreement, usage
• Spelling- grade level words should be spelled
  correctly, but it is more important for students
  to include higher level vocabulary (even if it is
  not spelled correctly!)

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For more information

• Visit the Georgia Department of Education website
• http//www.gadoe.org/

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How weve improved
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See you at the Saturday Writing Extravaganzas!