1. KNOCK THEIR SOCKS OFF! WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO SUCCEED ON THE GA. MIDDLE GRADES WRITING ASSESSMENT

2. You know how to write! SHOW IT! Steps in the Writing Process

3. PREPARE to WRITE PREWRITING PREWRITING  ~ 15 minutes 1. Make a jot list 2. Create and use a GRAPHIC ORGANIZER

4. ROUGH DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT  ~ 35 minutes  Write the first draft using your prewriting.

5. REVISING Rethink/Reshape/Rework Rethink/Reshape/Rework Apply writing techniques: Apply writing techniques: –Expansion (Add details that “show”) –Movability (vary the sentences by moving prepositional phrases and subordinate clauses to the front, middle, or end of the sentence) –Sentence combining ( combine short, choppy sentences) –Slotting (replace over-used, repetitious, not-very- exciting words)

6. EDITING Spell, capitalize, punctuate correctly. Spell, capitalize, punctuate correctly. Use complete sentences. Use complete sentences. Use words and language correctly. Use words and language correctly.

7. REVISING AND EDITING should take approximately 20 minutes.

8. FINAL DRAFT Time to write: 20 minutes Time to write: 20 minutes Write the final draft NEATLY in blue or black ink. Write the final draft NEATLY in blue or black ink. Stay on the lines of the paper provided. Stay on the lines of the paper provided. Maximum of two sides (front & back). Maximum of two sides (front & back).

9. PROOFREAD Time: 10 minutes Time: 10 minutes Read your final draft carefully. Read your final draft carefully. Make any additional corrections or changes. Make any additional corrections or changes. Neatly draw a line through a word you want to correct. Neatly draw a line through a word you want to correct.

10. A SUMMARY OF THE TIME YOU HAVE Planning/Pre-write: 15 mins Planning/Pre-write: 15 mins Draft:35 mins Draft:35 mins Revise and Edit:20 mins Revise and Edit:20 mins Final Draft:20 mins Final Draft:20 mins Proofread:10 mins Proofread:10 mins TOTAL:100 mins TOTAL:100 mins

11. SCORING RUBRIC There are 4 domains: There are 4 domains: 1. IDEAS X2 2. ORGANIZATION X1 3. STYLE X1 4. CONVENTIONS X1

12. IDEAS Components: Components: Focus Focus Controlling idea Controlling idea Clear main idea (s) Clear main idea (s) Supporting ideas Supporting ideas Relevance of detail Relevance of detail Development (fluency, depth, & balance of exploration or explanation of the topic) Development (fluency, depth, & balance of exploration or explanation of the topic) Sense of completeness Sense of completeness Awareness of genre – are you responding to an expository or persuasive topic. Awareness of genre – are you responding to an expository or persuasive topic. WEIGHTED TWICE

13. ORGANIZATION Components Components Overall Plan Overall Plan Introduction, body, conclusion Introduction, body, conclusion Sequence of ideas Sequence of ideas Grouping of ideas in paragraphs Grouping of ideas in paragraphs Genre-specific strategies Genre-specific strategies Transitions Transitions WEIGHTED ONCE (1x)

14. STYLE …weighted X1 Word Choice Word Choice Audience awareness Audience awareness Voice Voice Sentence variety Sentence variety Strategies appropriate to the genre Strategies appropriate to the genre

15. CONVENTIONS Components Components 1. Sentence Formation - Correctness - Clarity of meaning - Complexity - End punctuation 2. Usage - subject-verb agreement - Standard word forms - Possessives - Contractions WEIGHTED ONE TIME (1X)

16. CONVENTIONS CONTINUED CONVENTIONS CONTINUED 3. Mechanics - Internal punctuation - Spelling - Paragraph breaks - Capitalization WEIGHTED ONE TIME (1X)

17. THE GENRES You will either get: An EXPOSITORY topic OR An ARGUMENTATIVE topic

18. GENRES CONTINUED Expository Provide information Provide information Compare and contrast Compare and contrast Describe Describe Explain how Explain how Cause and effect Cause and effect Problem-solution Problem-solutionARGUMENTATIVE Choose a point of view Choose a point of view Argue that point of view Argue that point of view Provide support for your viewpoint on the subject Provide support for your viewpoint on the subject

19. What does it look like? You will receive four sheets of paper which make up the Writing Assessment: You will receive four sheets of paper which make up the Writing Assessment: –One page which is the Writing Topic Page –One page which is plain white paper that has a space for your name as says Planning/Prewriting Pages –One page that is lined paper and says Drafting Pages –One page that is lined and says Final Draft

20. SAMPLE TOPICS & PROMPTS Americans spend a great deal of time watching sporting events, either at a stadium, or at home on television. Directions for writing: Write an article for your local newspaper reporting about one sport. Provide details about how, when and where the sport is played.

21. SAMPLE TOPICS & PROMPTS Americans spend a great deal of time watching sporting events, either at a stadium, or at home on television. Some people believe watching a lot of sport is physically and mentally unhealthy for American teens. Directions for writing: Write to your local newspaper expressing your opinion about American teens watching sports and whether you believe it is physically and mentally unhealthy.

22. Another sample topic/prompt Outer space holds many mysteries. Many people wonder if there is life on other planets or what it would be like to travel to the moon. NASA is America’s number one organization that studies space and organizes missions to space. Some people believe the US space program is a waste of money, and that that money can be used elsewhere for better causes on earth. Writing Directions Write to the president of the United States expressing your opinion about funding the US space program.

23. Another sample topic/prompt Outer space holds many mysteries. Many people wonder if there is life on other planets or what it would be like to travel to the moon. NASA is America’s number one organization that studies space and organizes missions to space. Directions for writing: You are head of the “Future” club at your school. Write a letter to your principal explaining how you are going to raise money to fund a club trip to NASA.

24. Another Sample Topic/ Prompt School rules help keep students safe and able to concentrate on their school work. One rule that affects students is the dress code. Your principal is considering changing the school’s dress code and wants some information from students. Decide on how you would change your school’s dress code. School rules help keep students safe and able to concentrate on their school work. One rule that affects students is the dress code. Your principal is considering changing the school’s dress code and wants some information from students. Decide on how you would change your school’s dress code. Directions for Writing Directions for Writing Write an essay to convince your principal to change your school’s dress code. Be sure to include detailed reasons and examples.

25. Another Sample Topic/ Prompt School rules help keep students safe and able to concentrate on their school work. One rule that affects students is the dress code. Your principal is reviewing the school’s dress code and wants some information from students about their clothing choices. School rules help keep students safe and able to concentrate on their school work. One rule that affects students is the dress code. Your principal is reviewing the school’s dress code and wants some information from students about their clothing choices. Directions for Writing Directions for Writing Write an essay for your principal comparing and contrasting the way you dress for school and the way you dress for other activities such as playing outside or playing with your friends. Include specific details so that your principal will understand the differences in your clothing choices.