The Writing Proficiency

English

Ms. Bermudez

The Writing Proficiency

Will be expected to write on two topics:

Topic A and Topic B in 120 minutes*Topics: Persuasive and Expository

Persuasive An essay giving your opinion about a

problem or an idea and trying to make your reader agree with your opinion

Keywords: agree/disagree, persuade, opinion, defend, convince, for/against, argue

Persuasive Examples Example: Some countries require that all men

and women provide two years of military service to their country before they reach the age of 25. Argue for or against this requirement.

Example: To motivate students to stay in school, some people suggest that students under the age of 18 who drop out of school should lose their right to drive. Agree or disagree with this policy. Write a paper explaining the reasons for your opinion.

Expository An essay explaining something

or giving information about a topic

Keywords: explain, tell, inform

Expository Examples During high school, you have taken many

different classes. Choose the class you have taken that is your favorite one, and explain why you chose that class.

Sometimes even small things make a difference in someone else’ s life. If you could do one small thing to make someone’s life better, what would it be? Explain what you would do for the person and why.

Persuasive vs. Expository

Practice time!!!!!!!

What is next???

Brainstorming

Thesis

OpinionOpinion

Opinion

S

S

S S

S

S

S

S

S

Brainstorming

Thesis (subject + opinion)Opinion 1 (3 supporting details)Opinion 2 (3 supporting details)Opinion 3 (3 supporting details)

Supporting Details

 

In a composition or speech, fact, description, example or other item of information used to back up a claim, illustrate a point, explain an idea, or otherwise support a thesis or topic sentence.

Once you have constructed a topic sentence made up of the topic and its controlling idea, you are ready to support your statement with details. The quality and number of these details will largely determine the effectiveness of the writing.

Introduction

General

More Specific

Thesis= subject + opinion

Introduction

General: A general statement that everyone (or almost) anyone can relate to

More Specific: Narrow down on that statement

Thesis: subject + opinion

First Body Paragraph

A (Reason) Thesis + because + reason

B (Support) For example, B (Support) B (Support)

Second Body Paragraph

A (Reason) Transition Thesis + because + reason

B (Support) For example, B (Support) B (Support)

3rd Body Paragraph

A (Reason) Transition Thesis + because + reason

B (Support) For example, B (Support) B (Support) (If you decide to do so….I

recommend)

Conclusion

Restate Thesis

Call to action

Conclusion Restate your thesis: Do this using

different sentence structure and synonyms so that your original thesis and this one maintain the same content but look different.

Call to action: In this sentence, your goal is to use strong, emotive words that convince your audience that the topic you’ve written about is so important, it cannot go overlooked.

Conclusion Examples

Look at examples on Elmo

Adding Support: Student Examples

1. Reason: One class that I think needs to stay at GVHS is the foods class because it teaches kids real-life skills.

Support: Students could get a career out of learning to cook.

Support: This would help them to cook on their own in the future.

Support: Students can even help in the kitchen at home with their skills.

Adding Support: Student Examples

2. Reason: One class that I think needs toReason: One class that I think needs to stay at GVHS is the foods class because it teaches kids real-life skills.

Support: Many kids need to learn how to survive on their own.

Support: learning how to cook for themselves helps them become more independent and survive on their own.

Support: Being able to cook for yourself is a great way to become independent.

Reason and Support Practice

Reason: Allowing kids to listen to music is a good idea because it helps them concentrate.

Support: Support: Support:

Reason: We should have off-campus lunch because the food in the cafeteria is not healthy.

Support: Support: Support:

Reason and Support Practice

Reason: Dress code at school is a good idea because there are too many bad parents out there.

Support:

Support:

Support:

Reason and Support Practice

Reason: Budget cuts should not affect sports because that’s where kids go to enjoy themselves at school.

Support: Support: Support:

Reason and Support Practice

Reason: Teachers do not deserve an increase in pay because they only work nine months out of the year.

Support: Support: Support:

Reason and Support Practice

The Writing Process

1. Read prompt: Decide if prompt is persuasive or expository.

The Writing Process

2. Brainstorm bubble cluster

The Writing Process

3. Create Outline

The Writing Process

4. Do Final Draft

Trouble Spots

There vs. Their vs. They’reYour vs. You’re It’s vs. Its To vs. Too vs. Two Then vs. Than Has vs. have Is vs. Are

Last Minute Checks

1. Check Spelling2. Sentence Variety3. Show vs. Tell

Telling: She is pretty. (flat out tell something)

Showing: Ms. F’s high-starched collar makes her preppy gorgeous. (create a mental picture in the reader’s head with your word choice (voice)).

4. Transitions (at least 3!!!)

Rubric