On-Demand Writing

1. On-Demand Writing “A Student Guide to Writing On-Demand” 10th grade EOC

2. How to deal w/timed tests • Take cues from the writing prompt itself • Pay attention to the reader who will be grading the response & realize what he/she might expect to read or hear • Organize a number of points before writing • Help the reader understand those points by using key signal words such as second; third; as an example; on the other hand; etc.

3. Use paragraphs to group key points, even if the paragraphs are really short • Avoid usage and spelling errors • Vary sentence structure and sentence length • Watch test time so the writing is complete and covers all points.

4. Writer’s Checklist • Does the writing focus on the assigned topic? • Is the writing thoughtful and interesting? • Does each sentence contribute to the composition as a whole? • Are the ideas clear and easy for the reader to follow?

5. Are the ideas developed so that the reader is able to understand what the writer is saying? • Did the writer proofread and correct spelling, capitalization, punctuation, grammar, and sentence structure?

6. Openings • One of the most crucial aspects of effective writing, which is particularly important in successful ODW, is the opening. • At the onset you need to capture attention for the subject, establish a theme and tone, and indicate in some way what is to follow.

7. Thus in the opening a skillful writer : • States the general topic/thesis statement • Communicates an attitude • Forecasts or indicates where the piece will go

8. Effective Openings can… • Begin with a quotation. • Give background information that will illustrate the subject or show its importance. • Tell a story about the subject. • Present startling facts about the subject. • State the idea and show the writer’s attitude.

9. Closings • Summarize what has gone on before. • Gives the reader a sense of a satisfying end. • Truly effective closings give the reader a bit extra; they offer something more than just restatement or summary.

10. Effective Closings • Restate or summarize main points. • Offer a final, clincher point. • Emphasize one particular insight. • Cite broad significance or deeper implications of your points. • Make a prediction. • Recommend how the information can be applied. • Be creative: Tell a pertinent story, ask a question, or cite and authority.

11. The Writing (ODW) Process • Getting ideas • Drafting • Revising • Editing • Publishing • Take time to plan & get ideas • Take time to reread your work & edit

12. Invention Strategies:Ways to “get into” your writing • Brainstorming • Listing • Webbing & clustering • Visualizing • Freewriting • Five W’s: who, what, where, why, how • Cubing: describe it, compare it (to something else), associate it, analyze it, apply it, argue for or against it.

13. Analyzing Prompts • Exposition: written to inform • Description : written to describe something • Narration: written to tell a story • Argument: written to persuade the audience to the position promoted.

15. 5 PAQs (Prompt Analysis Questions) • What is the central claim/topic? • Who is the intended audience? • What is the purpose/mode for the writing task? • What strategies will be most effective? • What is my role as a writer in achieving the purpose?

16. Claim • Often confused with topic, claim is what an argument rests on. Some prompts specify a particular topic on which the claim needs to be based. • Example: • TOPIC: The role of experience in learning. • Claim: One can learn in many ways, but the most effective is through direct experience.

17. Purpose/Mode • The purpose designated by the prompt – to explain, describe, to argue, to tell a story, and so on – will actually dictate the mode of writing to be used. • The modes frequently blur into one another because it’s very difficult to write an explanation without some description or argue without explanation.

18. Rhetorical Strategies • Techniques for writing well and/or organizing your ideas so that the reader can understand your point. • Some examples are compare/contrast, cause/effect, example, definition, and so on.

19. Stance • The different positions writers take in relation to their audience and topic.

20. Prompt Analysis Example PROMPT: You are completing a job application. As part of the application process, your potential employer requires a writing sample explaining the expression “experience is the best teacher”& telling how it applies to you or someone you know. Write what you will present to your potential employer. Thinking about the following will help you focus and plan your writing. • What might the expression “experience is the best teacher” mean? • What are some experiences you have had (or someone you know has had) that taught you an important lesson? • What did you learn & why was it valuable?

21. The following chart shows how you can understand & begin to generate ideas for responding to this prompt.

22. 5 key context analysis questions • What is my time limit? • What kinds of writing aids are available to me? Is there a rubric, a writing checklist, a list of do’s and don’ts? • Targeted skills: What particular thinking or writing skills is this test targeting? What standards are being assessed?

23. What kind of format is expected? Will a 5 paragraph essay work here, or is some other format, like a letter, required? • What specialized expectations are implicit in this particular writing task? For example, is length or audience specified?

24. Verbs commonly used in prompts • Compare: show similarities as well as differences; use details and examples. • Define: Give an explanation of the term and supply enough detail to demonstrate understanding. • Discuss: Consider important characteristics and include examples. • Evaluate: Assess strengths, weaknesses, advantages, and limitations.

25. Explain: use facts and details to make topic clear and understandable. • Justify: Give reasons and evidence to support an action, decision, or policy. • List: Use most to least or least to most organization. • Summarize: Review all major points.