Writing 101-Preparing for the 8th Grade Writing Assessment

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Writing 101-Preparing for the 8th Grade Writing
Assessment
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8th Grade Writing Assessment

• 100 minute timed writing
• Given to every 8th grader in the state
• Either expository or persuasive style writing

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8th Grade Writing Assessment

• Ideas 40
• Organization 20
• Style 20
• Conventions 20

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Defining Expository Writing

• Expository Writing Writing that enhances the
  readers understanding of a topic by instructing,
  explaining, clarifying, describing, or examining
  a subject or concept.
• Method
• Provides facts, statistics, descriptive details,
  comparison, contrast, analysis, evaluation,
  definition, humor, and personal anecdotes.

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What is ex-wri?

• Writing to inform
• Different styles such as
• Comparison and Contrast Essay
• Cause and Effect Essay
• How-To Essay
• Problem/solution

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Defining Persuasive Writing

• Persuasive Writing Writing that has as its
  purpose convincing others to accept the writers
  position as valid, adopt a certain point of view,
  or take some action.
• Method
• Provides logical appeals, emotional appeals,
  facts, statistics, narrative anecdotes, humor,
  and/or the writers personal experiences and
  knowledge.

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What is per-wri?

• Writing to persuade
• Different styles such as
• Compare/contrast
• Problem/Solution
• Addresses the counter-argument

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Sample Writing Assessment topics

• Expository Writing Topic 8221/Writing Situation
• In some countries, students are responsible for
  the basic cleaning of their school buildings.
  Fifteen minutes is set aside each day for all
  students to sweep, dust, and clean their
  classrooms and hallways. Think about what your
  class could do to clean the school.
• Directions for Writing
• Write a letter to your teacher explaining your
  solution for cleaning the school. Provide
  specific details so that your teacher will
  understand what your class will do.

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• Persuasive Writing Topic 8121/Writing Situation
• In some countries, students are responsible for
  the basic cleaning of their school buildings.
  Fifteen minutes is set aside each day for all
  students to sweep, dust, and
• clean their classrooms and hallways. Think
  about how you would feel if students were
  responsible for cleaning your school.
• Directions for Writing
• Write a letter to your teacher in which you
  convince the teacher that students should or
  should not be required to clean your school.
  Defend your position with specific
• reasons and detailed examples.

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Writing 101 or Back To Basics!

• What is a paragraph?
• A group of related (key point!) sentences that
  work together to develop a single idea
• Do you have a New Idea??
• Then start a New Paragraph!!

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Whats in a paragraph?

• All paragraphs need a TOPIC SENTENCE
• Does it have to be the first sentence?
• Supporting sentences/details
• Transition words (such as, for example, at times,
  however, etc.)

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Writing 101 or Back To Basics! ContdTHREE PART
THESIS

• What is a THREE PART THESIS?
• Where do I start?
• Choose three main ideas that you want to focus on
• Decide what order you want to put them in (most
  to least important, chronological order, etc.)

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• Write a COMPOUND-COMPLEX sentence about your
  three main ideas
• RememberCP-CX is a dependent clause AND two
  independent clauses
• Use subordinating conjunctions like SINCE, IF,
  UNTIL, WHEN, WHILE

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• For example
• Prompt Write a persuasive essay on why students
  need recess.
• Step onethree good reasons! ?

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• Current schedule is stressful
• Recess lets kids get exercise
• Recess allows for socialization
• Since middle school can be stressful for
  students, a recess time would allow kids to get
  exercise, and it would give them a chance to
  socialize with friends.
• Each of these traits then become a separate
  paragraph!

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• Directions for Writing
• Write a letter to your teacher explaining your
  solution for cleaning the school. Provide
  specific details so that your teacher will
  understand what your class will do.
• Directions for Writing
• Write a letter to your teacher in which you
  convince the teacher that students should or
  should not be required to clean your school.
  Defend your position with specific
• reasons and detailed examples.