Writing for the proficiency test

1. Writing for the proficiency test Review of well planned writing

2. Stay on task • Look closely at the topic that you are given to write about • Underline, circle or highlight any key words that clue you in on your task • Look for words that are bold, underlined or written in italics

3. A LOOK A PROMPTS • Many things happen everyday that are humorous. Think of something funny that has happened to you or to someone you know. Write about that experience. • What are you being asked to write about? • What words might you underline and take note of? • Do they give something you can start with?

4. A LOOK A PROMPTS • Sometimes we have to work hard to finish something we have started. Think about a time when you or someone you know did not give up on something that was important. Write about that experience. • What are you being asked to write about? • What words might you underline and take note of? • Do they give something you can start with?

5. A LOOK A PROMPTS • Most people have a day that they remember because it was special for them in some way. Choose a day that was special for you, and tell about it. • What are you being asked to write about? • What words might you underline and take note of? • Do they give something you can start with?

6. A LOOK A PROMPTS • 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. • What are you being asked to write about? • What words might you underline and take note of? • Do they give something you can start with?

7. prewriting • Do not just start writing without a plan • Use a bubble cluster, outline or some other method of prewriting to plan your answer to the topic in an organized well voiced manner. • It does not matter what method you use BUT use one to plan what you are going to say

8. prewriting • You will be writing on 2 prompts so, you may want to do your prewriting for both before you start writing out your draft copy. • You will be given an answer sheet to write your final draft on so, you will not want to write much more then the paper gives room for.

9. Prewriting • You will want to follow the format of using the ratio of: 1 CD : 2 CM 1 concrete detail : 2 commentary statements Remember that concrete detail is just another word for facts and that commentary is just another word for your comments or opinions

10. Example bubble cluster for body paragraph

11. Introduction paragraph • Make sure that you use the topic as a guide to write your introduction. • Use complete sentences • Make sure that you assume that the reader of your essay has never seen the prompt that you were given to write about so you must explain to the reader what you will be talking about in your body paragraphs

12. Introduction paragraph • Make sure that you try to catch the readers attention by having a griping introduction to what you are going to be talking about! • Throughout your essay make sure that you are using, adjectives,words that will describe what you are talking about so the reader will see a picture in his or her head REMEMBER: SHOW NOT TELL

13. Body paragraphs • Follow the format of: • Topic sentence (subject and opinion) • 1 Fact • 2 sentences of commentary • 1 concluding sentence

14. Body paragraphs • Make sure you use transition words in your body paragraph to make your movement from one fact to the next move along smoothly • Example transition words: • For example • In addition • Furthermore • therefore

15. Conclusion paragraph • When you write your conclusion you are summarizing what you have talked about in your essay • Remember to use new words when you can so that your writing is varied and if the reader did not understand something you said they may understand it when you state it slightly differently and your writing will be more interesting with a variety of words

16. Word choice • Do not start sentences with the same words over and over (example- I went, I saw, I ran) try to find new words to use • Do not use the words: people, you, they, he, she… try to clarify who you are talking about so the reader will not be confused • Do not words like friend over and over Maybe say my friend Cloe one time and use their name another…

17. Word choice • Use descriptive words to allow the reader to see a picture in their head! SHOW NOT TELL

18. Word choice The duck went across the street. Or The little yellow duck waddled across the country road.

19. Word choices • Lets fix the following dull sentence: • The girl ran from the man. • What can you do to this sentence to give it description? • Write your ideas on a piece of paper to share with the class.

20. SHOW NOT TELL • The monster looked around the forest for the teens. • What can you do to this sentence to give it description? • Write your ideas on a piece of paper to share with the class.

21. Grammar and punctuation • Remember this is a very important time to check that you use periods, capitals and commas… when needed.

22. Write neatly • If you do not take your time and write so that the readers (scorers) can read your writing they will put it down and move on to someone else's writing that they can read • The people scoring your test have been instructed on how much time they can spend trying to read what you have written

23. Proof read • Reread what you have written to check that you have complete sentences • Check for capitals and periods • Does your writing make sense?