1. Writing On Demand Preparing for Assessment in Middle School

2. On-Demand Writing is…
A timed assessment given to test your writing skills
An opportunity for you to show how well you can
persuade
inform
narrate an event to
Your chance to show how well you can write a letter, an article, an editorial, or a speech for a specified audience

3. Steps to make the right choice and give your best response
FAP IT!!!
Steps to make the right choice and give your best response

4. What is FAP? FAP stands for FORM, AUDIENCE, and PURPOSE.
It is used to organize the information that you will see in the OD test prompts.
You will find FAP in the writing task of the prompts.

5. F is for FORM WHAT are you writing?
You will be given the form in the writing task.
The FORMS are
letter
article
editorial
speech

6. A is for AUDIENCE To WHOM are you writing?
You will be given the AUDIENCE in the writing task.
There are many possible audiences, such as parents, principal, teacher, site-based council, author, student(s), neighbor(s), board of education, and others

7. P is for PURPOSE WHY are you writing?
You will write for one of three purposes. This is given in the writing task and is set up in the situation:
to persuade
to inform
to narrate an event for a specific purpose

8. So…NOW WHAT?
You will always be given TWO prompts and be asked to choose ONE to write. It is important to make good choices.
Read both prompts carefully.
FAP both prompts to identify the FORM, AUDIENCE, and PURPOSE.

9. Let’s practice Writing to Inform
Read both prompts carefully

10. Prompt # One
SITUATION: A new 7th grade student has moved into your school district. He has been very active in extracurricular activities in the past such as sports, marching band and chess club. He is anxious to find out what school activities there are so that he can be involved in at your school. WRITING TASK: Write a letter to the new student to inform him about extracurricular activities he can be involved in as a seventh grader. Be sure to include relevant details to help him choose.

11. Prompt # Two
SITUATION: The noise level in the gym in getting out of control in the morning when students are waiting to go to class. The principal wants students to be able to talk to each other but needs to control the noise level. WRITING TASK: Write an article for the school newspaper to inform students of the problem and suggest practical solutions.

12. Step Number One: FAP it!
SITUATION: A new 7th grade student has moved into your school district. He has been very active in extracurricular activities in the past such as basketball, marching band and chess club. He is anxious to find out what school activities there are so that he can make decisions about what to be involved in at your school. WRITING TASK: Write a letter to the new student to inform him about extracurricular activities he can be involved in as a seventh grader. Be sure to include relevant details to help him choose.
AUDIENCE
FORM
PURPOSE

13. FAP it!
SITUATION: The noise level in the gym in getting out of control in the morning when students are waiting to go to class. The principal wants students to be able to talk to each other but needs to control the noise level. WRITING TASK: Write an article for the school newspaper to inform students of the problem and suggest practical solutions.
FORM
AUDIENCE
PURPOSE

14. Step Two: Listing Ideas
The “Rule of THREE”

15. three extracurricular activities three supporting details/elaborated
Basket
ball
Tryouts…
Time
Commitment…
Coaches…
Chess
Schedule…
Players…
Tournaments… ? 1. 2. 3.

16. Listing ideas the “Rule of THREE”
Problem: Noise in gym in morning before classes
Solutions:
(1) Restrict talking to people around you so you don’t have to shout
(2) ?
(3) ?
(2)

17. Step three: Time to decide…
What topic do you know the most about? or
What topic do you know the most about and which one appeals to you the most?

18. Step four: Identify Key Words
Key words are mostly found in the situation of the writing prompts and sometimes in the writing task.
Key words can help you write the introductory paragraph of your letter or article.
Key words help your audience focus on the main ideas of your letter or article.

19. Key words
A new 7th grade student has moved into your school district. He has been very active in extracurricular activities in the past such as basketball, marching band and chess club. He is anxious to find out what school activities there are so that he can make decisions about what to be involved in at your school.
Write a letter to the new student to inform him about extracurricular activities he can be involved in as a seventh grader.

20. Key words are “free” words!
Dear Friend, Welcome to our school! I understand you would like to know what extracurricular activities we have at Clark Middle so that you can become involved. A complete list of activities is in our Student Handbook if you want to try something new. But, since you play basketball and chess, you will be pleased to know that you can do those two activities at Clark Middle too. We don’t have a marching band in middle school but we do have classes in band, orchestra and chorus. Another activity that you might enjoy is ________________.

21. The “Rule of THREE!”
Here are some relevant details to help you decide if you want to try out for basketball. -
In case you want to continue with chess, here is some information to help you decide.
Another activity you would probably enjoy is ______

22. Conclusion
I hope you are now less anxious about fitting in at our school. Clark Middle is a great place to be and I am sure you will feel at home in no time especially because you want to be active.
Sincerely,

23. Important points to keep in mind: Article
Focus on an interesting angle of the topic
Develop your ideas using the “Rule of Three”
three main ideas, each supported by three details or examples
Use text features effectively (sections with headings, bulleted lists, etc.)

24. Important points to keep in mind: Letter
Use the correct letter form (business or friendly)
Develop your ideas using the “Rule of Three”
three main ideas, each supported by three details or examples
Anticipate your audience’s questions and make sure you answer them

25. Editing Make sure: Your sentences are varied and complete
You have used language appropriate for your reader and purpose
Your spelling is correct
You have used correct punctuation

26. Jennifer Bernhard Literacy Specialist Clark County Schools jennifer
Jennifer Bernhard Literacy Specialist Clark County Schools