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PAT Update

PAT Update. PATs Are Coming!. Your writing PAT is on May 13 th (before the end of the year) Field Test (practice test) May 8 th You have 6 short weeks to be ready Over the next few weeks we will work on: Essays Business Letters Narratives

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PAT Update

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  1. PAT Update

  2. PATs Are Coming! • Your writing PAT is on May 13th(before the end of the year) • Field Test (practice test) May 8th • You have 6 short weeks to be ready • Over the next few weeks we will work on: • Essays • Business Letters • Narratives • It is important that work to IMPROVE as a writer by APPLYING what we learn in class

  3. Description Part A: Writing • contributes 50% of the total Grade 9 English Language Arts Achievement Test mark and consists of two assignments:

  4. Assignment I: Narrative / Essay Writing • This assignment contains some material for you to consider. • You must then respond in writing to the topic presented in the assignment. • You should take about 70 minutes to complete Assignment I. • Value: Approximately 65% of the total Part A: Writing test mark

  5. Assignment II: Functional Writing • This assignment describes a situation to which you must respond in the format of a business letter. • You should take about 40 minutes to complete Assignment II. • Value: Approximately 35% of the total Part A: Writing test mark

  6. ESSAY REVIEW!

  7. Brainstorm! • What are the different parts of an essay? • What makes a great essay?

  8. ESSAY Introduction Thesis Statement Body Paragraph #1 Body Paragraph #2 Body Paragraph #3 A Road Map for Your Essay The Thesis Statement

  9. Definition Thesis Statement • A thesis statement is a complete sentence that contains one main idea. • This idea controls the content of the entire essay. • A thesis statement that contains subpoints also helps a reader know how the essay will be organized.

  10. Definition Thesis Statement When I was young, I always knew that I wanted to become a teacher someday. When I played, I would often gather my dolls together and pretend to teach them how to do math problems or how to read a book. As I grew older, my desire to become an ESL teacher became clearer as I did some volunteer teaching overseas and in the United States. As I look back on my reasons for becoming a teacher, there are three reasons that stand out. They are: my love for the English language, my innate interest in how people learn, and my desire to help other people . Subpoints in the thesis or nearby help the reader know how the essay will be organized The thesis statement contains the main idea that controls the content of the essay.

  11. Thesis Statement Another Example Psychologists have argued for decades about how a person’s character is formed. Numerous psychologists believe that one’s birth order (i.e. place in the family as the youngest, oldest, or middle child) has the greatest influence. I believe birth order can have a significant impact in the formation of a child’s character based on my own experience growing up in a family of four children. Birth order can strongly affect one’s relationship with parents, relationships with others, and how one views responsibility as an adult. The thesis statement contains the main idea that controls the content of the essay. Subpoints in the thesis or nearby help the reader know how the essay will be organized

  12. Key Features Thesis Statement • states the main idea of the essay in a complete sentence, not in a question. • is usually at the end of an introduction. • states an opinion or attitude on a topic. It doesn’t just state the topic, itself. • often lists subtopics.

  13. Key Features Subtopics You can make your thesis statement more specific by including subtopics or supporting ideas. By doing this, you give your reader a clear idea of what will follow in the body paragraphs of your essay.

  14. subtopic #2 subtopic #1 subtopic #3 Key Features Subtopics The large influx of people to California has had major effects on the state. No subtopics are named in this thesis statement. The large influx of people to California has had major effects on the ability of the state to provide housing, electricity, and jobs for all residents. This statement names three subtopics. Can you find all of the subtopics?

  15. subtopic #1 subtopic #2 subtopic #3 Subtopics Another Example Inner-city public schools grapple with some serious problems. No subtopics are named in this thesis statement. Some of the most serious problems in today’s inner-city public schools are the overcrowded classrooms, the low percentage of trained teachers, and the lack of resources such as textbooks for students. This statement names three subtopics. Can you find all of the subtopics?

  16. Key Features Don’t State the Obvious In thesis statements, you should avoid using statements like, “This essay will discuss…” or “I’m going to write about…”. Try to write a thesis statement that captures your reader’s attention without announcing your main topic and stating the obvious. Look at the examples below.

  17. Making an Outline A Plan That Builds an Essay Essay ------------------- ---------------------

  18. Example • Essay Outline • Introduction • Thesis: _____________________ • Body Paragraph #1- Topic Sentence: _____________ • A. supporting idea • B. supporting idea • C. supporting idea • III. Body Paragraph #2- Topic Sentence: ____________ • A. supporting idea • B. supporting idea • C. supporting idea • IV. Body Paragraph #3- Topic Sentence: ____________ • A.supporting idea • B. supporting idea • C. supporting idea • Conclusion • Thesis Statement (restated in different words)

  19. The Paragraph that Hooks Your Reader The Introductory Paragraph Introduction ------------------------------

  20. An Introduction Definition and Purpose An introduction is the first paragraph in your essay and contains the thesis statement. The main purposes of an introduction are to… • present the focus of your essay and give your reader some general information about your subject. • catch your reader’s attention so that he/she will become interested in reading your essay.

  21. An Introduction General Information and Focus An introduction always includes some general statements about your subject and a thesis statement that announces the focus of your essay. The thesis statement is usually the last sentence in the introduction because it is the most specific. Notice how the introduction below begins with general information and becomes more specific.

  22. An Introduction General Information and Focus General statements provide background information on the focus of health care for homeless people with HIV. There are a number of frightening disease epidemics occurring in the Canada today. Among the most serious of these diseases is HIV which leads to AIDS, a fatal disease. HIV is especially problematic among homeless people. This particular population is difficult to treat due to a number of barriers such as, limited access to health care, mistrust of health care professionals, and a lack of awareness of the disease, itself. Specific focus of essay and thesis statement.

  23. An Introduction A Closer Look Let’s look at that introduction again and see how the sentences become more and more specific leading to the thesis statement. There are a number of frightening disease epidemics occurring in the Canada today. Among the most serious of these diseases is HIV which leads to AIDS, a fatal disease. General Statements HIV is especially problematic among homeless people. More Specific This particular population is difficult to treat due to a number of barriers such as, limited access to health care, mistrust of health care professionals, and a lack of awareness of the disease, itself. Very Specific: Thesis Statement

  24. Writing Paragraphs of Importance Body Paragraphs

  25. Essay Body Paragraphs Purpose The body paragraphs in your essay support the main idea in your thesis statement by breaking it down into smaller ideas or subtopics. Ideas in your paragraphs should relate back to the thesis statement. Body Paragraph 3 _____________ Introduction & Thesis Statement Body Paragraph 4 _____________ Body Paragraph 1 _____________ Body Paragraph 2 _____________ Body Paragraph 5 _____________

  26. Supporting Sentences Topic Sentence An important factor in learning a foreign language has to do with the concept of intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation. • When we do something for the “fun of it” or because we enjoy it, that is called intrinsic motivation. • Extrinsic motivation, on the other hand, is when we do something for the purpose of receiving some kind of external reward such as money, time off from work, etc. • Many education experts believe that intrinsic motivation is more powerful when it comes to helping students retain what they’ve learned. Supporting Sentences

  27. Concluding Sentence Definition and Purpose • A concluding sentence is the last sentence in a paragraph. • A conclusion can remind the reader of the main points of a paragraph and/or leave the reader with something to think about. • Let’s look at a few examples!

  28. This concluding sentence tries to leave a final thought with the reader by asking a question. Concluding Sentence Body Paragraph An important factor in learning a foreign language has to do with the concept of intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation. When we do something for the “fun of it” or because we enjoy it, that is called intrinsic motivation. Extrinsic motivation, on the other hand, is when we do something for the purpose of receiving some kind of external reward such as money, time off from work, etc. Many education experts believe that intrinsic motivation is more powerful when it comes to helping students retain what they’ve learned. The question and challenge for teachers today is, “How can we help our students become intrinsically motivated in what we are teaching?”

  29. Concluding Sentence Useful Expressions It is sometimes helpful to have a concluding expression in your last sentence to signal the end of your paragraph. Common expressions for concluding sentences: • As we can see, • Finally, • In summary, • Consequently, • As a result, • These examples show that…

  30. Unity Definition • Good paragraphs have unity. • Each sentence in the paragraph is related to the topic sentence. • Unified paragraphs also discuss only one main idea.

  31. The End Making Your Last Paragraph Count The Conclusion

  32. A Conclusion Definition and Purpose • The conclusion is the last paragraph in your essay. • A conclusion completes the essay and reemphasizes your thesis statement or main ideas. • Let’s look at the thesis statement and conclusion below.

  33. A Conclusion So What? In addition to referring back to your main idea, your conclusion needs to show your reader the significance of your thesis. When discussing the importance of your thesis, try to address questions such as… • How and why is this topic important? • How might this topic affect me or other people? • What can be learned from this topic?

  34. The writer concludes by discussing the lessons learned from his experience. The first two sentences reemphasize the thesis statement. Example #2 Thesis Statement There were several factors that caused my family to make the difficult decision to immigrate to Canada. Conclusion Paragraph The decision to move to Canada was a difficult one for my parents to make. Though I was angry with their decision at the time, I understand now that the poor economy and political instability of my country forced them to immigrate. Through this experience I learned that one simply cannot control all of life’s circumstances. One must learn to deal with tough situations as they come and work to be successful regardless of one’s location.

  35. Thesis Statement A prediction is used to make the reader think about possible results of the thesis. Prediction Example A program to reforest parts of Haiti is urgently needed. Finally, the importance of beginning a program to re forest parts of Haiti will be an important step in making this country more economically self-sufficient. Without such a program in place, the people of this country will continue to destroy their natural resources for fuel in order to salvage their present state of survival.

  36. A Conclusion Useful Transitions • It is sometimes helpful to have a transition at the beginning of your conclusion to signal the end of your essay. • COMMON TRANSITION WORDS • Remember to use a comma after your transitions. • In conclusion, • Therefore, • In summary, • To conclude, • Thus, • In short,

  37. Evidence & Examples • Your main arguments need support • You can support your arguments with evidence and examples • Books you have read • Movies you have watched • Personal experience (or the experiences of someone you know) • The news

  38. Introduce and Explain Examples • Jonas always had people telling him what to do. You need to make your own decisions.

  39. Introduce and Explain Examples Introduce example In the book, The Giver, the main character, Jonas, was given few choices in his life. The community where he lived controlled nearly every aspect of peoples lives. Consequently, some people like Jonas became unhappy. Ultimately, Jonas sought freedom and choices by leaving the community. This example shows the importance of having the freedom to make your own choices. Explain Example Connect example to thesis or topic sentence

  40. Enhance Vocab • Use a thesaurus • Use transition words • Do not fear big words!

  41. Draw Insightful Conclusions Knock my socks off! Non-Insightful Conclusion: Gerry helped is teammates and was an inspiration. Insightful Conclusion: Many times during the film, Remember The Titans, the main character Gerry stood up for his beliefs. In one scene he makes a difficult choice between his girlfriend and his new black teammates. Gerry held firm to his beliefs and eventually his example had a positive impact on the attitudes of others.

  42. Groups

  43. Look Over Your Work! • Look for spelling mistakes • Read to see if your sentences make sense! • Make changes!

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