LETS IMPROVE OUR WRITING

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• LETS IMPROVE OUR WRITING!

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ABOUT FCAT WRITES

• YOU may write in
• cursive or print.
• Lets just make
• sure its our neatest and our
• personal best!

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ABOUT FCAT WRITES

• FCAT Writing test is a deadline, non-publishable
  essay. In other words,
• there is a time limit,
• and
• it is not ready for print.

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ABOUT FCAT WRITES

• You will be
• given 45 minutes
• to plan, write,
• review, and edit.

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ABOUT FCAT WRITES

• The highest score on FCAT writing is a 6.
• The minimum ok score is a 3 soon to change to
  a 4!

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ABOUT FCAT WRITES

• Your essay is scored on organization, focus,
  support, and conventions.

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ABOUT FCAT WRITES

• In other words, you prove that you can stay on
  topic, organize, provide details through the use
  of adjectives, similes, metaphors, adverbs,
  quotes, imagery, and
• use correct punctuation, grammar, and spelling.

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ABOUT FCAT WRITES

• You will read a PROMPT.
• The prompt includes a WRITING SITUATION (it
  provides background). DONT write about that!
• Then, the prompt includes DIRECTIONS FOR WRITING.
  YES, YOU'RE THINKING RIGHT...
• DO write about that!

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ABOUT FCAT WRITES

• In 7th grade, you will receive a persuasive
  prompt. In 8th grade and 10th grade, you will
  receive a prompt that requires you to either
  explain (expository) or convince (persuasive).
• Your narrative days are over, so dont write a
  story!!

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ABOUT FCAT WRITES

• When you write an expository essay you are
  basically explaining. Key words that indicate
  you should explain might include describe,
  provide information, explain, or define.

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ABOUT FCAT WRITES

• When you write a persuasive essay you are
  convincing to your way of thinking. Key words
  you might see that will let you know to persuade
  might include convince or persuade.

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ABOUT FCAT WRITES

• What is this type of essay?
• What will you write about?
• Writing Situation
• The Nabisco Company makes Oreo cookies and is
  having a contest to find the best way to eat an
  Oreo cookie.
• Directions for Writing
• Write your explanation on how to eat an Oreo.

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ABOUT FCAT WRITES

• What is this type of essay?
• What will you write about?
• Writing Situation
• Your school wants to add a new sport to the after
  school curriculum.
• Directions for Writing
• Write a letter to your principal convincing
  him/her to add your sport.

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ABOUT FCAT WRITES

• Five paragraphs for each essay!
• The 1st paragraph introduces the topic and your
  three big ideas about the topic.
• The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th paragraph are about the
  three big ideas, separately. These make up the
  body.
• The last paragraph repeats (in a different way)
  your topic and three big ideas.

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• FIVE
• PARAGRAPHS

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PRE-WRITING

• Figure out what the question
• is asking you to do. 
• Brainstorm.  Jot down everything you know about
  the topic. Organize it use a map.  Think in
  threes (Big Ideas).
• Write your thesis statement.  It should be a
  restatement of the question, and include your 3
  Big Ideas.
•  

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PRE-WRITING
INTRODUCTION CATCHY TOPIC - THESIS STATE 3
SUPPORT 1

•  

BIG IDEA TELL MORE 4
BIG IDEA TELL MORE 2
BIG IDEA TELL MORE 3
3 SUPPORT IDEAS
3 SUPPORT IDEAS
3 SUPPORT IDEAS
WRAP UP RESTATE TOPIC - BIG IDEAS
MEMORABLE 5
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PRE-WRITING

• Example
• Question  What is your favorite food?
• THESIS STATEMENT 3 BIG IDEAS.
•   My favorite food is chocolate, because I like
  the way it
• 1.) tastes 2.) raises my energy 3.) melts  

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INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH

• First, say something catchy.
• Then, introduce your 3 Big Ideas using broad,
  general statements. 
• Finally, state your thesisyour opinion about the
  topic.

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EXAMPLE

• Without food, we die.  Food is
  essential to maintain human life. However, many
  humans view food as much more than basic
  nourishment and give preference for some foods
  over others. My favorite food  is chocolate. I
  love the way it tastes, it gives me energy, and
  it melts in my mouth.

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BODY PARAGRAPHS

• Write your BODY paragraphs
• paragraph 2 (Big Idea), paragraph 3 (Big Idea),
  and paragraph 4 (Big Idea). 
•  
• Use transitions to move from one paragraph to
  another.

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BODY PARAGRAPHS

•   In each paragraph, your topic sentence must
  address one of the Big Ideas.
• Then your remaining sentences within each
  paragraph should contain facts that support that
  topic sentence and elaborations.

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EXAMPLE

• Topic sentence, paragraph 2 - The one factor that
  makes chocolate most appealing to me is its
  sweet, creamy taste.
• Topic sentence, paragraph 3 - In addition to
  having a delightful taste, chocolate also
  provides me with an instant energy boost.
• Topic sentence, paragraph 4 Moreover, chocolate
  doesnt have to be chewed. Instead, enjoy every
  bit of chocolate as it slowly melts in your
  mouth.

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WRAP-UP PARAGRAPH

• The wrap-up paragraph. The conclusion. The grand
  finale!!
• This is like your introduction, only turned
  upside down.  Start with a restatement of your
  thesis.  Then get back into broad
  generalizations. Then say something memorable
  about the future, a hope, a dream, a wish, a
  vision, a prediction

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EXAMPLE

• Chocolate's many facets, especially its ability
  to melt in my mouth, give me energy, and please
  my taste buds, make it my favorite food. It is
  the one food I reach for when I want to change my
  mood.  Perhaps scientists could devise a
  chocolate "pill"  that patients could take when
  feeling sad.  Who knows? Chocolate might even be
  the key to world peace.

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• HOW TO IMPROVE EACH PARAGRAPH

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INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH DONTS

• The introductory paragraph sets the tone of the
  essay. 
• DONT Announce your intentions!
• DONT Dilly-dally!
• DONT Apologize!
• DONT go into a detailed explanation.
• DONT use information that is off-topic.

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INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH DOS

• In the introduction paragraph, say something
  catchy hook em.

DO Use an interesting quotation. DO Concisely
define the problem. DO Use sound words like
brrrr, swish, clank DO Use a very short example
or story. DO Ask a question that gets them
thinking.
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INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH DOS

• Remember your audience.
• Be different and encourage them to really read
  your work.
• Readers remember the first and last the most.so
  make your first grand!!

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TRANSITION EXPRESSIONS

• Transition words phrases help readers
  understand the relationship between paragraphs
  that you want to express.
• Copy the table on the next few slides. When we
  are writing essays, refer to the table.
• Eventually, you will have immediate recall be
  able to embed many into your writing.

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TRANSITION EXPRESSIONS

• REPRESENTS
• Similarity
• TRANSITION WORDS AND PHRASES
• also, in the same way, just asso too, likewise,
  similarly, equally, as well, too, in the same
  way, correspondingly

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TRANSITION EXPRESSIONS

• REPRESENTS
• Exception/Contrast
• TRANSITION WORDS AND PHRASES
• but, however, in spite of,
• on the one hand...on the other hand,
  nevertheless, nonetheless, yet notwithstanding,
  in contrast,
• on the contrary, still

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TRANSITION EXPRESSIONS

• REPRESENTS
• Sequence/Order
• TRANSITION WORDS AND PHRASES
• first, second, third, ...
• next, then, finally

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TRANSITION EXPRESSIONS

• REPRESENTS
• Time
• TRANSITION WORDS AND PHRASES
• after, afterward, at last, before, currently,
  during, earlier, immediately, later, meanwhile,
  now, recently, simultaneously, subsequently, then

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TRANSITION EXPRESSIONS

• REPRESENTS
• Example
• TRANSITION WORDS AND PHRASES
• for example, for instance,
• namely, specifically, to illustrate

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TRANSITION EXPRESSIONS

• REPRESENTS
• Emphasis
• TRANSITION WORDS AND PHRASES
• even, indeed, in fact,
• of course, truly

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TRANSITION EXPRESSIONS

• REPRESENTS
• Place/Position
• TRANSITION WORDS AND PHRASES
• above, adjacent, below,
• beyond, here, in back,
• in front, nearby, there

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TRANSITION EXPRESSIONS

• REPRESENTS
• Cause and Effect
• TRANSITION WORDS AND PHRASES
• accordingly, consequently,
• hence, so, therefore,
• thus

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TRANSITION EXPRESSIONS

• REPRESENTS
• More Support/Evidence
• TRANSITION WORDS AND PHRASES
• additionally, again, also, and, besides, equally
  important, further, furthermore, in addition,
  moreover, then, as well

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TRANSITION EXPRESSIONS

• REPRESENTS
• Conclusion/Summary
• TRANSITION WORDS AND PHRASES
• finally, in a word, in brief,
• in conclusion, in the end,
• in the final analysis, illustrate
• on the whole, thus, to conclude,
• to summarize, in sum, in summary

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ELABORATION

• When you elaborate, you tell moreclearly
• Use these methods to elaborate in when writing
• a brief short story
• an example
• vivids (use adjective and adverbs)
• a quotation
• exciting verbs

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WRAP-UP DONTS

• DONT mention ideas that you forgot earlier.
• DONT use cliches which sound good but mean
  nothing.
• DONT introduce new arguments, evidence, or
  details.
• DONT apologize for doing a poor job of
  presenting the material .
• DONT qualify or blunt the impact of points made
  earlier.

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WRAP-UP DOS

• A good wrap-up provides closure the reader
  should feel satisfied.
• The wrap-up should provide a restatement of the
  thesis, a summary of the your conclusions, and
  perhaps a solution to the problem.
• There is POWER in a conclusion. A reader
  remembers the last words used by a writer.
• In a persuasive essay it becomes even more
  important, since this is your last chance to
  convince the reader.

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WRAP-UP DOS

• DO Use a summary statement .
• DO Use a quotation.
• DO Use a clever generalization.
• DO Express your hopes.
• DO Make your point.

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WRAP-UP DOS

• DO Issue a call for action.
• DO Use a question call for action together.
• DO Restate the seriousness of a problem.
• DO Summarize your thesis or proposed solution.
• DO Suggest future directions.