The document provides guidance on writing for standardized tests, focusing on argumentative essays. It discusses the different types of prompts, including problem-solution and evaluation. For each type, it describes the key elements the writing should include to be effective. It then gives detailed steps to follow when writing a problem-solution essay in response to a sample prompt about a school cafeteria not making enough money. The steps include understanding the purpose and audience, identifying the problem, brainstorming possible solutions, and writing the introduction, body paragraphs with evidence and elaboration, and conclusion.

1. WRITE! WRITE! WRITE! Getting Ready for the Writing Test

2. WHEN?

3. Argumentative Writing Problem Solution OR Evaluation

4. PROBLEM-SOLUTION Presents the problem coherently Describes the solution(s) clearly Sequences reasons for readers to support solution

5. EVALUATION Requires writer to state a judgment Support judgment with reasons and evidence Uses Evidences, examples, and anecdotes

6. Five Features to Be Evaluated FOCUS ORGANIZATION SUPPORT/ELABORATION CONVENTIONS STYLE

7. FOCUS Does the writing have a clear idea? Is the writer on topic throughout the writing? Does the piece accomplish the task?

8. ORGANIZATION Is this piece clearly organized? (intro, body, conclusion) Is there enough convincing elaboration? Are all details important and relevant to the main idea? Do ideas progress logically?

9. SUPPORT AND ELABORATION Is the topic developed with specific, relevant details? Is there enough elaboration? Are all details relevant to main idea? Do all details flow to the desired end?

10. STYLE PAC- Purpose-Audience-Context Engaging vocabulary $$$words Use of literary devices Well crafted sentences VOICE

11. CONVENTIONS Appropriate sentence structure Subject –verb agreement Correct punctuation, capitalization, and spelling No abbreviations or slang terms

12. Steps for Writing a Paper (Problem-Solution) READ THE PROMPT CAREFULLY

13. EXAMPLE PROMPT Your school’s cafeteria is not bringing in as much money as it used to because more students are bringing their own lunches instead of purchasing. Write a letter to your principal identifying the problem with your recommendation for improving the situation

14. STEP 2 Read the prompt carefully AGAIN!!!!

15. EXAMPLE PROMPT Your school’s cafeteria is not bringing in as much money as it used to because more students are bringing their own lunches instead of purchasing. Write a letter to your principal identifying the problem with your recommendation for improving the situation

16. Step 3 Determine P. A. C. PURPOSE- (Why are you writing?) AUDIENCE- (Who will be reading this?) CONTEXT- (What is the form- letter, editorial, essay…)

17. EXAMPLE PROMPT Your school’s cafeteria is not bringing in as much money as it used to because more students are bringing their own lunches instead of purchasing. Write a letter to your principal identifying the problem with your recommendation for improving the situation

18. P.A.C. Purpose - To recommend solution to cafeteria money problem Audience - Principal Context - letter

19. STEP 4 Identify the Problem

20. EXAMPLE PROMPT Your school’s cafeteria is not bringing in as much money as it used to because more students are bringing their own lunches instead of purchasing. Write a letter to your principal identifying the problem with your recommendation for improving the situation

21. PROBLEM Cafeteria is not making enough money

22. STEP 5 Plan Brainstorm \

23. Causes and Effects of Problem (multi flow map) Possible Solutions (circle map) Support/details/ benefits of solution (tree map) Brainstorm on….

24. CAUSES/EFFECTS Bad food Expensive Long Lines Not enough choices No supplies for school Even worse food Parents make lunch NO $$$

25. Solutions Better food Make cheaper More lines Offer more choices (food court)

26. FOOD COURT Explain Benefit Benefit +++ _________ ________ ________ (how) *variety *kids eat Offer choices *more $ *more energy Salads *kids will run *pay attention Potato bar to lunch in class Different *school $ *better grades

27. STEP 6 WRITE PAPER

28. Paper Dear Principal, When is the last time you ate in the school cafeteria? I’m guessing never, because if you had you would know exactly why our facility is not attracting customers. It’s boring!!! The cafeteria offers very little when it comes to variety. It seems as though every other day, we have a mystery meat surprise and I seriously wonder if those cafeteria chefs know that other fruits exist besides the pineapple. With choices like this it’s no wonder the students are either brown bagging it daily or worse, not eating at all!! At this rate the money made from the cafeteria will be nonexistent and supplies for the good of our education will seize to exist. Now is the time for a change.

29. BODY Do you know why restaurants such as Applebee's and Hams are so successful? It’s because the customer can go in and order from a variety of foods to satisfy his/her craving whatever it may be. Are you getting the idea? Our cafeteria would triple their income if we turned it into a Food Court like the ones they have in malls. The area’s sections could range from soups and salads, to Chinese food, American food, Italian, and Mexican. There would be something for everyone and kids would eagerly wait in line for such a feast. Students would beg their parents to buy lunch and mom’s would no longer have to slave or worry about preparing lunches for their children.

30. Body 2 Imagine the need to purchase bigger cash registers! That’s exactly what will happen if you create a food court. Have you ever noticed how kids today have plenty of money to purchase candy, sodas, games, and other nonsense items? When they see that they can have a salad, taco, and pizza all at lunch, don’t think they won’t fork over the $4.00 that it costs. You will be pleasantly surprised to find your school’s wallet bursting at the seams. Just think of what you could do with all the money you’d be making. The computer labs could finally match up to the present century and teachers could get a textbook for every child instead of just a class set. Yes, a food court would show you the money.

31. Body 3 Finally, students would no longer have growling stomachs after lunch. Being able to choose a salad, spaghetti and bread or a bowl of chili with a hoagie would be a nourishing dream for many students. For some kids, lunch at school is actually the only real meal they get in a day. With less hunger pains, students would have more energy and be able to pay attention better in class. Teachers would no longer be wasting their breath to a bunch of children with roaring bellies. All the extra learning taking place would ensure your students respectable grades and your school would have test scores that will raise the roof. We could actually become the model school for the state!!

32. Conclusion Sure, installing a food court would require more effort from the lunch ladies and you may even have to pay them more for the extra time, but it would all be worth it in the end. Imagine, high performing students, up to date supplies, and you, the principal, actually eating from the school’s cafeteria too. What are you waiting for??? Sincerely, A Student

33. COMPONENTS OF A PAPER INTRODUCTION Get reader’s attention Identify the problem BODY Explain and support solutions Examples and details CONCLUSION Reinforce problem and solution

34. INTRODUCTION Get the reader’s attention Ask a question Have you ever… What would happen if.. How would you feel if… Put the reader in a hypothetical situation What if… Imagine.. State an alarming fact Nine out of ten… Every year, hundreds of… Did you know that… Dialogue/quotes My mother always said, “….” Other propaganda

35. INTRODUCTION Identify the problem Include causes and effects of the problem (Explain what makes it a problem and why it needs to be solved)

36. Paper Dear Principal, When is the last time you ate in the school cafeteria? I’m guessing never, because if you had you would know exactly why our facility is not attracting customers. It’s boring!!! The cafeteria offers very little when it comes to variety. It seems as though every other day, we have a mystery meat surprise and I seriously wonder if those cafeteria chefs know that other fruits exist besides the pineapple. With choices like this it’s no wonder the students are either brown bagging it daily or worse, not eating at all!! At this rate the money made from the cafeteria will be nonexistent and supplies for the good of our education will seize to exist. Now is the time for a change.

37. BODY Introduce solution(s) Explain the solution How will it fix the problem-PROVE IT What are the benefits of the solution (If you have more than 1 solution, elaborate each one in a separate paragraph…save the best for last) (If you have 1 solution, go into detail about benefits of following through with this idea) DETAILS ! DETAILS! DETAILS!!!

38. BODY Do you know why restaurants such as Applebee's and Hams are so successful? It’s because the customer can go in and order from a variety of foods to satisfy his/her craving whatever it may be. Are you getting the idea? Our cafeteria would triple their income if we turned it into a Food Court like the ones they have in malls. The area’s sections could range from soups and salads, to Chinese food, American food, Italian, and Mexican. There would be something for everyone and kids would eagerly wait in line for such a feast. Students would beg their parents to buy lunch and mom’s would no longer have to slave or worry about preparing lunches for their children.

39. Body 2 Imagine the need to purchase bigger cash registers! That’s exactly what will happen if you create a food court. Have you ever noticed how kids today have plenty of money to purchase candy, sodas, games, and other nonsense items? When they see that they can have a salad, taco, and pizza all at lunch, don’t think they won’t fork over the $4.00 that it costs. You will be pleasantly surprised to find your school’s wallet bursting at the seams. Just think of what you could do with all the money you’d be making. The computer labs could finally match up to the present century and teachers could get a textbook for every child instead of just a class set. Yes, a food court would show you the money.

40. Body 3 Finally, students would no longer have growling stomachs after lunch. Being able to choose a salad, spaghetti and bread or a bowl of chili with a hoagie would be a nourishing dream for many students. For some kids, lunch at school is actually the only real meal they get in a day. With less hunger pains, students would have more energy and be able to pay attention better in class. Teachers would no longer be wasting their breath to a bunch of children with roaring bellies. All the extra learning taking place would ensure your students respectable grades and your school would have test scores that will raise the roof. We could actually become the model school for the state!!

41. CONCLUSION REMIND THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS ADDRESSING MAKE A CONVINCING STATEMENT THAT YOUR SOLUTION IS THE WAY TO GO END WITH A CLINCHER (GET THEIR ATTENTION or MAKE A DEMAND)

42. CLINCHER Without your help… If something isn’t done about this problem soon… Imagine a world where… Only the best schools… Don’t be another… For the sake of the children you must… (LEAVE THEM THINKING!!!)

43. Conclusion Sure, installing a food court would require more effort from the lunch ladies and you may even have to pay them more for the extra time, but it would all be worth it in the end. Imagine, high performing students, up to date supplies, and you, the principal, actually eating from the school’s cafeteria too. What are you waiting for??? Sincerely, A Student

44. STEP 7 Read and edit for: Coherence (Does it make sense???) Grammatical errors Over use of words Subject-verb agreement Choppy sentences Better word choice

45. STEP 8 BREAK

46. STEP 9 RE-READ and edit

47. EXAMPLE PROMPTS (Problem-Solution) Write a speech to present at the next school assembly addressing your concern about a problem in your school’s cafeteria and what should be done about it. Due to a lack of school funds, the principal has cancelled all field trips. Write a letter to the Board of Education explaining the problem and how it could be dealt with. Your family’s electric bill is way too high. Write a letter to your parents proposing a solution to keeping the cost down. Your school has 1100 students, but only 700 lockers. Write a speech on how your school should deal with this problem. Your neighborhood has had numerous robberies in the past couple of weeks. Write a letter to the appropriate authorities with suggestions on how to lower the number of robberies in the neighborhood. Identify a problem in your school, community, home…etc and write a _______________to propose a solution to the problem.

48. PROBLEM Dilemma Catastrophe Trouble Disaster Puzzle Difficulty Situation Setback Concern Crisis Disturbance Challenge Issue Obstacle

49. SOLUTION/ solve Answer mend Key fix Resolution help Way out aid Means to an end repair Recipe improve resolve mend

50. HINTS Recognize your audience with the appropriate voice ELABORATE Show style $$$words similes/metaphors/imagery Use transition Make it so the reader is convinced that your solution is the only way

51. Transition First of all To begin with Even though As a matter of fact More importantly In addition Furthermore As well as Not only Equally important In conclusion Finally As a result For this reason In order to In fact For example Still While

52. DON’TS Abbreviate Use slang terms Use choppy sentences Repeat or over use words Sound insecure about your idea Use… “ This is my paper” “ I hope you liked my paper” “ I am going to write about…” Vulgar language

53. Steps for Writing a Paper (Evaluation) READ THE PROMPT CAREFULLY

54. EVALUATION PROMPT Movies are an extremely popular form of entertainment for all age groups. Write a movie review for students recommending a movie that you have seen.

55. STEP 2 Read the prompt carefully AGAIN!!!!

56. EVALUATION PROMPT Movies are an extremely popular form of entertainment for all age groups. Write a movie review for students recommending a movie that you have seen.

57. Step 3 Determine P. A. C. PURPOSE- (Why are you writing?) AUDIENCE- (Who will be reading this?) CONTEXT- (What is the form- letter, editorial, essay…)

58. P.A.C. Purpose - To recommend a movie Audience - students Context – movie review

59. STEP 4 Identify the thesis or topic of your paper (circle map or web)

60. MOVIE TITLES Titanic A Cinderella Story Polar Express The Incredibles Ray Scooby Doo Shrek 2

61. Thesis “ Shrek 2” is a movie that I would recommend to people of all ages.

62. STEP 5 Plan Brainstorm \

63. Reasons for topic (multi flow) Support/details/ elaboration (tree map) Brainstorm on….

64. Reasons Good Actors Funny Something for everyone Teaches a lesson Recommend “ Shrek 2”

65. Select and Support Reasons Good Actors Teaches lesson Something for all Cameron Diaz *Be happy with *Humor Mike Myers who you are *Animated Eddie Murphy *So many self *Magical Antonio Banderas esteem problems *Fairy tale today

66. STEP 6 WRITE PAPER

67. Paper Introduction If you are looking for a movie that is actually worth spending $7.50 a ticket, then I recommend “Shrek 2”. Great acting, entertainment for all, and a touching lesson accompany this feel good movie of the year.

68. Body First of all, “Shrek 2” has all your favorite actors voicing the parts. Shrek, himself, is actually portrayed by none other than Mike Myers. Mr. Myers’ acting ability makes this movie the success it is. If you thought he was good in “The Cat in the Hat”, you are in for an even bigger treat with this movie. He makes the ogre character so real and lovable that you’ll want one for yourself. Then you have Justin Timberlake’s woman, Cameron Diaz, who plays the princess, Fiona. Ms. Diaz brings the same charm to this movie as she does all her others. I can’t think of a better choice of actresses to play Shrek’s love interest. Even better is Eddie Murphy’s portrayal of Donkey which will make you laugh one minute and sympathize with his jealousy the next. This film is overflowing with more voices of phenomenal actors like Antonio Banderas, Julie Andrews, Rupert Everett and many more. If a film can afford so many talented actors, it’s inevitably got to to be good.

69. Body 2 How many times today can you find a movie that not only you will love, but so will your parents, grandparents, and younger siblings. “Shrek 2” is such an entertaining movie that it appeals to the young and old. It’s full of intrigue for the adults with it’s jokes, satire, and play on words. It’s setting is so full of spoofs from other movies that it will keep them and you busy looking for all it’s creativity. For example, “Olde Knavery” is the film’s version of our Old Navy while the entrance to the kingdom resembles the actual Paramount Movie studio. The animation and fairy tale characters keep the young children excited as they watch Pinocchio dance like Michael Jackson or Hansel (from Hansel and Gretel) as the owner of a hotel made out of cookies and candy. “ Shrek 2” definitely has something for all. It’s packed with so much symbolism that you’ll want to see it more than once to catch it all!

70. Body 3 Best of all, “Shrek 2” is a movie that will have everyone feeling good as they leave. This movie teaches the ultimate lesson that everyone can relate to. Shrek and his bride Fiona try to make each other happy through appearances, but learn that true happiness and beauty is found within, a lesson that many people both young and old today have a hard time understanding. Television media seems to push beauty through extreme and costly measures such as plastic surgery. Sure they look good after it’s done, but are they truly beautiful or even more importantly, are they happy? Shrek and Fiona teach us that beauty is only skin deep and that they are happiest as ogres on the outside, but “Swans” inside. “Shrek 2” is a celebration of life that everyone will enjoy.

71. Conclusion How many times have you wasted $7.50 on a ticket for a movie that was about as interesting as reading the dictionary? If you want quality acting, pure entertainment, and a burst of self esteem, “Shrek 2” is the movie for you. Now, a more important question is… would you like butter on your popcorn?

72. COMPONENTS OF A PAPER Evaluation INTRODUCTION Get reader’s attention Identify the thesis BODY Explain and support reasons Examples and details CONCLUSION Reinforce thesis and reasons clincher

73. INTRODUCTION Identify the thesis Include reasons for topic

74. BODY Introduce reason (s) Explain the reason Elaborate on reason Give examples Tell why (If you have more than 1 reason, elaborate each one in a separate paragraph…save the best for last) DETAILS ! DETAILS! DETAILS!!!

75. CONCLUSION Restate the thesis Reinforce the reasons END WITH A CLINCHER (GET THEIR ATTENTION or MAKE A DEMAND)

76. Example Prompts Evaluation Write an editorial to evaluate the most effective teacher you ever had. Write a book review recommending a book you’ve read to another student. Write an essay on the most desirable vacation spot to visit. Identify someone you know to be a hero. Write an essay on what makes this person a hero. Write a letter to your school’s new principal recommending a restaurant for him to take his family.

77. Good Great Best Wonderful Marvelous Phenomenal Extraordinary Exquisite Fine Fantastic Superb Unique Splendid Remarkable Unbelievable Perfect amazing

78. Recommend Suggest Offer Favor Urge Vouch for propose