The document provides information about an upcoming writing test, including the test date, make-up date, time allotted, scoring domains and scales, essay requirements, and tips for preparing. It outlines the four scoring domains - Content, Organization, Style, and Conventions - and provides details on what each domain evaluates. It also lists common essay topics, requested essay formats, and provides a sample prompt to help students practice.

2. Test Date: Wednesday, October 3
Make-up Date: Thursday, October 4
Face-to-Face Administration

3. 100 Minutes of writing time
100-199
Does Not Meet
200-249
Meets
250+
Exceeds
4 Domains scored on a 5 point scale

4. What do I write?
A persuasive piece
How long should it be?
5-6 paragraphs
Introduction, 3-4 supporting paragraphs, conclusion
How do I prepare?
Attend prep sessions
Study Island
USA Test Prep
Read sample essays
Write practice essays

5. YOU WILL BE SCORED ON
Content (40%)
Organization (20%)
Style (20%)
Conventions (20%)

6. Content (40%)
• Awareness of purpose—TO PERSUADE
• Establish a controlling idea (THESIS)
• Give main points (TOPIC SENTENCES)
• Elaborates on/explains points
– Supporting detail
– Relevance of detail
• Closure at end of essay

7. Organization (20%)
• Overall Plan
• Introduction/Body/Conclusion
• Organization of paragraphs
• Within Paragraphs
– Sequence of Ideas
– Grouping examples in paragraphs
• Transitions!

8. Style (20%)
• Who is my audience?
• What words do I use? (diction)
• How do I address?
• May I use slang?
• “VOICE” Who are you? Would you say that?
Show us who you are when you write….In
standard English, of course…
• Sentence variety/syntax….”SPEAK” clearly on
paper

9. Conventions (20%)
• Sentence formation
– Correct
– Clear • Mechanics
– Complex – Punctuation
– Punctuated – Spelling
– Paragraph breaks
• Usage – Capitalization
– Agreement
– Standard word forms
– Verbs

10. Topics/Subjects
Work d School Marriage d Pets d Pregnancy
Clothes d Dress Code d Pollution d Recycling
Suicide d Nutrition d Exercise d Parents
Crime d Internet concerns/benefits d Politics
Drinking and Driving d Drugs d Drop Outs
Smoking d Gun Control d Prayer in Schools
High-Stakes Testing d “Most Likely to Succeed”
Salary of professional Athletes d Personal Freedoms

11. Requested formats
 Letter to a friend / family member
 Debate—Television, school, political rally
 Speech to school board, community forum
 Letter to school newspaper
 Editorial for school newspaper, other news outlets
 Letter to principal, governor, representative
 Essay for class, contest,
 Article for a national magazine, BLOG, Online Message
Board

12. Sample Prompt
Writing Situation: Health care advancements have resulted
in people living longer. Many Americans now live well
beyond the age of 65. This older generation consists of
people with various experiences, talents, and expertise.
Many of these senior citizens have retired from the
workforce and can now use their talents in the service of
their community. Think how your community could
benefit from the contributions of these older Americans.
Directions for Writing: Write a speech to be given at an
organization of senior citizens explaining your ideas.
Convince the senior citizens that they should give their
services to benefit the community. Provide logical
arguments and supporting details.

13. What’s next?
• Watch your English LMS for
lessons and CC meetings.
• Watch your Kmail for
information on testing sites.
• Watch for examples of
persuasion in everyday life.

14. Questions
Thank you for attending today.
This session’s password is:
Persuasion