A Parent

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The Writers Guild

• A Parents Look
• at
• the 8TH Grade Gateway that awaits your child

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(No Transcript)
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Writers Guild Agenda

• What is the Gateway Writing Test
• What is the difference between Expository and
  Persuasive writing?
• How have the students been prepared?
• What can parents do over the next two months to
  help prepare for the test?

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What is the Writing Gateway?

• Two types of writing
• Expository
• Persuasive
• For 8th grade students ONLY
• NO CHOICE in the style of writing
• 100 minutes start to finish
• Follows the writing process
• Must pass the test for promotion
• Spring opportunity for retake if needed
• Remediation classes will be offered in the spring
  if needed

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What are the two types of writing?

1. Expository Persuasive
2. Expository Descriptive
3. Persuasive Narrative
4. Narrative Expository

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How many minutes are students given during the
writing test to complete their writing?

1. 60
2. 80
3. 90
4. 100

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8th Grade students must pass the Gateway Writing
Test is a promotion criteria.

• True
• False

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Expository INFORM Writing I deas developed
with explanations N eeds specific details and
examples F ully develops the topic O
rganizational strategy R eaders interest through
strong voice M ulti-paragraph writing
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Persuasive PERSUADE Writing P osition E
motional and/or logical appeal R eader
engagement S pecific facts or personal
experience U se precise language A nticipate
audience concerns D efend your position E
ffective arguments
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The purpose of an expository essay is to defend
your position and use effective arguments.

• True
• False

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The Expository Essay will always be a 5 paragraph
essay that is full of information.

• True
• False

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How are the students graded?
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IDEAS domain- 40

• Controlling idea
• Supporting idea
• Major details
• Specific examples and elaboration
• Supporting ideas (relevant)
• Relevance of detail
• Depth of development
• Awareness of Genre

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ORGANIZATION domain- 20

• Overall Plan
• Introduction/Body/Conclusion
• Sequence of Ideas
• Grouping of Ideas
• Expository or Persuasive Strategies
• Transitions

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STYLE domain-20

• Word Choice
• Audience Awareness
• Voice
• Sentence Variety
• Strategies Appropriate to
• Expository or Persuasive Writing

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CONVENTIONS domain-20

• SENTENCE FORMATION correctness,
• clarity, simple, compound, complex, end
• punctuation
• USAGE sub-verb agreement,
• pronoun agreement, standard words
• MECHANICS internal punctuation,
• spelling, paragraphs, capitalization

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Things to Remember?
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• DOs to REMEMBER
• DOs that we DO stress that students DO
• DO write 2 PAGES front and back NO SKIPPING
  LINES especially between paragraphs
• DO know the style of writing and be sure to do it
  Expository or Persuasive
• DO remember the format for writing a letter
• DO read the prompt more than once to understand
  the writing topic.
• DO brainstorm
• DO indent all paragraphs
• DO make sure all paragraphs are at least 5
  sentences
• DO make sure writing is 5 or MORE paragraphs
• DO write the final copy in BLUE or BLACK ink
• DO proofread the final copy use INSERT or
  SINGLE STRIKE THROUGH
• DO write legibly.- print or cursive your choice
• DO include lots of detail
• DO use transition words.
• DO check the CRITERIA
• IDEAS - DETAILS
• ORGANIZATION PARAGRAPHS minimum of 5
  paragraphs intro., 3 body, conclusion

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All of the following statements are suggested for
students to do during the writing test EXCEPT

1. write 1 PAGE
2. know the style of writing and be sure to do it
   Expository or Persuasive
3. remember the format for writing a letter
4. read the prompt more than once to understand the
   writing topic.
5. brainstorm
6. indent all paragraphs
7. include lots of detail
8. MAKE YOUR THESIS statement (main idea) is your
   opinion of the topic without saying I.

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• DONTs to REMEMBER
• DONTs that we DO stress that students NOT
  DO
• DONT start a sentence with AND or BUT
• DONT repeat the same word over and over
• DONT use I think I hope you enjoyed I am
  going to tell you
• DONT abbreviate
• DONT use etc.
• DONT use contractions
• DONT write numbers INSTEAD spell out all
  numbers 1-100
• DONT forget to indent all paragraphs USE a
  paragraph sign at the
• beginning of paragraphs if you forget to indent
• DONT skip lines between paragraphs
• DONT write less than 5 paragraphs
• DONT write off topic
• DONT forget to READ the prompt more than once to
  understand the topic
• DONT use slang
• DONT introduce yourself DONT say My name
  is
• DONT use the transitions FIRST, SECOND, THIRD,
  LAST

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All of the following statements are NOTsuggested
for students to do during the writing test
EXCEPT

1. start a sentence with AND or BUT
2. repeat the same word over and over
3. use I think I hope you enjoyed I am going
   to tell you
4. introduce yourself at the beginning of your
   essay.
5. abbreviate
6. use etc.
7. use contractions
8. write numbers INSTEAD spell out all numbers
   1-100

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What should you look for?
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Student Writing Checklist for Gateway Writing

• Prepare Yourself to Write
• Read the Writing Situation and Directions for
  Writing carefully.
• Brainstorm for ideas.
• Decide what ideas to include and how to organize
  them.
• Write only in English.
• Make Your Paper Meaningful
• Use your knowledge and/or personal experiences
  that are related to the topic.
• Explain, clarify, and define your ideas.
• Establish a clear controlling idea.
• Fully develop your controlling idea with
  specific, supporting details.
• Organize your ideas in a clear and logical order.
• Write an expository essay and stay on topic.
• Make Your Paper Interesting to Read
• Think about what would be interesting to the
  reader.
• Use a lively writing voice that shows your
  interest in the topic.
• Use precise, descriptive, vivid words.
• Vary the type, structure, and length of your
  sentences.
• Make Your Paper Easy to Read
• Indent to start a new paragraph.

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Writing prompt

• Writing Situation
• Eighth grade is a transition between middle
  school and getting ready for high school.
  Students have many concerns about the
  expectations and goals the school has for them.
• Directions for Writing
• Choose one concern that you have about eighth
  grade. Write an essay using specific details and
  reasons why this is a concern for you and how you
  might deal with it.

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What can YOU do to help?

• Review the writing process using the strategies
  and ideas
• Review the handouts in this packet with your
  child.
• Choose a prompt to discuss, analyze, brainstorm,
  and even write with your child
• Help your child to prepare for the testing day
• 2 pencils and blue/black pen
• Good night sleep
• Eat breakfast (at least on this day)
• Be present AND on time

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My ACCESS Student Writing Tool
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What are your Concerns ? Questions ? Thoughts ?