The Writing Process:FCAT Style

FCAT Writes

• Every year you are assessed on your writing capabilities.

• You are given a prompt and 45 minutes to answer.

• You are to show that you can write an essay that is focused and organized. That your ideas are supported and that you use the correct conventions.

Prewriting

• Pre writing should take no more than 5 minutes. During that time you should:

– Read and understand the prompt– Figure out the purpose for writing– Plan your essay

Writing

• Writing should take no longer than 30 minutes. During this time you should write your essay using the plan you created.

Revise / Edit

• After writing your essay you should take 10 minutes to revise it and make any necessary changes.

Pre writing: reading the prompt

• Read the prompt carefully. It will let you know exactly what are you supposed to write about.

• All the prompts have the same format: - writing situation (sets the scene)

– something to think about (narrows your focus)

- instructions for writing (the bulls eye)

Prewriting: reading the prompt

• You will find key words which will indicate the kind of answer you are to provide.

• Circle the word or words that indicate whether it is

• an expository (explain …why, explain… how, explain… what)

or • a persuasive (write to convince, argue)

Prewriting: Planning

• After you know what type of essay you have to write, you begin to plan for it.

• Taking the time to plan will save you time when you draft your essay since you know what you will write.

• The first thing to do when planning is to create your thesis statement.

Planning: Persuasive

• To successfully write a persuasive essay:– You need to take a side! Do you agree

or disagree with the statement?– Organize your thoughts.– Write your thesis statement (main idea

of your essay)– Your thesis must include the topic and 2-

3 controlling ideas

Sample Prompt

This is a persuasive prompt. You need to make a decision on which

side you are on.

There has been a problem in local schools with discipline and violence.

Your school board has decided to institute a school uniform policy in order to cut down on these problems.

Now write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper stating your position on this issue.

it is cost effective for the parents

students safer

because they are easier to identify

less competition between the

students

Students should wear uniforms to school

Your opinion

Argument #1

Argument

#2

Argument #3

Cluster

Planning: Persuasive

• Once you have your three arguments, you can create the main idea, or thesis statement, for your essay. Your claim should be one sentence. – Students should wear uniforms to school

so there is less competition between them, it is cost effective for the parents, and they are safer in the school.

1

2

3

your

opin

io

n

Prewriting: Planning

• There are other ways to plan for your essay. You are not being scored on how well you plan, however your planning will determine how organized and focused is your essay.

• Writing an outline is another good example of planning for your essay.

Sample Prompt

Your school principal has received a budget to create after school programs.

Think about the many possible after school programs your school could have.

Now, in a well-organized essay, write to convince your school principal to pick your after school program.

Students learn

strategies

It keeps students

out of trouble

It teaches students patience

Chess ClubYour o

pinion

Argument #1

Argument

#2

Argument #3

ClusterSamplePrompt

Thesis statement:

Nova High School needs a chess club as an after school program because chess teaches patience, students learn strategies, and it keeps them out of trouble.

Topic Sentences: 1st body paragraph – Chess teaches people how to be patient. 2nd body paragraph - Moreover, playing chess, students learn how to come up with and use strategies. 3rd body paragraph - Finally, chess keeps students out of trouble.

Writing: Introduction

• The introductory paragraph should include the following:– Hook – catches reader’s attention. It

can be a question or an exclamatory sentence.

– Explain the situation in the following sentences.

– Thesis statement – let your reader know the arguments you will support.

Introduction

• Don’t forget that your introduction must include:– indentation- explanation of the situation– all 3 arguments in your thesis

statement. (Remember to leave your strongest argument for last.)

Is it true that Nova High School just received a budget for after school programs? It’s great that our school has been awarded with this opportunity! After school programs are instrumental in a student’s success. There are so many possible programs that could be implemented, from additional sports to tutoring. Nova High School needs a chess club as an after school program because chess teaches patience, students learn strategies, and it keeps them out of trouble.

Your turn to plan

Your school principal has received a budget to create after school programs.

Think about the many possible after school programs your school could have.

Now, in a well-organized essay, write to convince your school principal to pick your after school program.

• Do your own cluster to practice planning.

• Write the thesis statement.

Your Turn to Write

• Use the budget prompt and your plan to draft an introduction.

• Your introduction needs to grab the

reader’s attention, explain the situation, and provide your thesis statement (your opinion!)

Writing: Body

• Each paragraph is there for you to support each of your arguments.

• Each body paragraph must include the use of transitional words.

• First body paragraph is used to explain and support your first argument.

• Second body paragraph is used to explain and support your second argument.

• Third body paragraph is used to explain and support your last and strongest argument.

Writing: Transitional Words• Using transitional words and phrases helps

papers read more smoothly.  They provide logical organization and understandability and improve the connections and transitions between thoughts

• A coherent paper allows the reader to flow from the first supporting point to the last.

• Transitions indicate relations, whether within a sentence, paragraph, or paper. This list illustrates "relationships" between ideas, followed by words and phrases that can connect them.

Writing: Transitional WordsWords that can be used to show time:while first meanwhile soon then

after second today later next

at third tomorrow afterward as soon as

before now next week about when suddenly

during until yesterday finally

Word that can be used to compare two things:likewise also while in the same way

like as similarly

Words that can be used to contrast two things:but still although on the other hand

however yet otherwise even though

Writing: Transitional WordsWords that can be used to emphasize a point:again truly especially for this reason

to repeat in fact to emphasize

Words that can be used to conclude or summarize:finally as a result to sum up in conclusion

lastly therefore all in all because

Words that can be used to add information:again another for instancefor example

also and moreover additionally

as well besides along with other

next finally in addition

Words that can be used to clarify:that is for instancein other words

Class Activity

• Using the sample introductory paragraph, continue writing the body paragraphs for that essay.

• Don’t forget to include each topic sentence, indent each paragraph, as well as using the necessary transitional words and FRIES.

For Home Learning

• Take your planning sheet and introduction home.

• Continue writing your essay, draft

your body paragraphs.

• Make sure you use your transitional words as well as your

Writing: Conclusion

• Your essay’s last paragraph should summarize your arguments.

• A persuasive essay needs to include a call to action. You should leave your audience thinking!

• Make sure that you don’t forget to indent.

Sample ConclusionIn conclusion, Nova High School

ought to use this budget to improve the quality of the after school programs. Adding a chess club to our school will allow many students to feel part of our school while they are learning strategies, becoming more patient and keeping out of trouble. Mr. Lacasse, you have the power to continue improving not only our school, but also our community with a terrific after school program like a chess club… the ball is in your court!

Call to action

Winter Break AssignmentWrite a persuasive essay using this prompt.

I want to see your planning sheet as well.

The healthiest students are drug-free and alcohol-free students.

Think about the healthful benefits of being drug-free and alcohol-free

Now write to convince students to be drug-free and alcohol-free

Write an expository essay using this prompt. I want to see your planning

sheet as well.

• Situation: School violence has increased significantly over the past several years.

• Directions: Think about reasons why school violence is on the rise.

• Prompt: Write to explain why school violence has increased over the past few years.