Georgia High School Writing Test

What you need to know to do your bestGeorgia High School Writing Test

Setting a purposeWhat is the purpose of a persuasive essay?

The purpose of a persuasive essay is to convince the reader of your opinion on a topic.

Getting StartedWhat things should you do before you begin writing?

Getting StartedBefore you begin writing, there are a few things you should do. Skipping these steps wont save you time in the long run and your writing will not be as good as it could be.Read the topic.Choose a side.Identify the format of your essay.This means to consider what youre supposed to write. If you are to write a letter, include your salutation at the beginning and sign your name (or an appropriate closing) at the end.

Getting Started, continuedIdentify your audience.Ask about your audience:Who is my audience?What kind of language should I use when addressing this audience?What will make my audience care about this issue?What arguments might my audience have?What will my audience expect from my essay?

Ready to WriteNow that youve got your planning done, consider these questions.What three things should an opening paragraph do?What is a thesis?What should the first sentence of an introduction do?Ready to WriteNow that youve got your planning done, consider these questions.What three things should an opening paragraph do?It should gain your readers attention.It should introduce your subject.It should identify your thesis.What is a thesis?A thesis is the sentence that lets the reader know what overall idea you are going to discuss. It is usually the last sentence of your opening paragraph.What should the first sentence of an introduction do?Your first sentence creates your readers first impression and should catch the readers attention.Your Opening ParagraphWhat are some interesting and effective ways to begin an opening paragraph?

Five Ways to Begin an Opening ParagraphShare some thought-provoking details about the subject.Ask your reader a challenging question.Begin with an informative quotation.Provide a dramatic, eye-opening statement.Open with some thoughtful dialogue or engaging story.

Once youve begun your intro, then what?What about the 2nd and 3rd sentences of your introductory paragraph?What does the thesis statement contain?What about the other paragraphs?Once youve begun your intro, then what? (continued)What about the 2nd and 3rd sentences of your introductory paragraph?The 2nd and 3rd sentences of an introduction should identify and discuss the topic. (Review What should the first sentence do?)What does the thesis statement contain?The thesis statement should contain a statement of topic and opinion. (Review What is a thesis? Where is it usually located?)Once youve begun your intro, then what? (continued)What about the other paragraphs?In terms of organization, the topic sentence of the body paragraphs is the 1st sentence of the body paragraphs.The 2nd 5th sentences of the body paragraphs are the supporting details / evidence of the 1st sentence.Body ParagraphsWhat is the most important part of a persuasive body paragraph?

Body Paragraphs, continued

What is the most important part of a persuasive body paragraph? Body Paragraphs, continuedA good persuasive body paragraph contains 4 to 5 supporting details.So, what are the three types of supporting details?

Body Paragraphs, continuedTypes of Supporting DetailsEthical appealDefinition: appealing to someones sense of right and wrongExample: providing a choice between right and wrong

Body Paragraphs, continuedTypes of Supporting DetailsEmotional appealDefinition: appealing to / playing on (an) emotionExample: anecdote, hypothetical situations

Body Paragraphs, continuedTypes of Supporting DetailsLogical appealDefinition: appeals to sense of logicExample: analogies, facts

Counter ArgueWhat does it mean to counter argue?

Counter ArgueTo counter argue is to identify and acknowledge arguments that are opposite of yours and address them. (In other words, its where you say why they are wrong.)

ConclusionsWhat does an effective conclusion do?

ConclusionsShould briefly reword and restate your opinion.Should answer any questions left unanswered in the body paragraphs.Should emphasize the special importance of one of the supporting details.Should connect with the readers life or with life in general.Are a good place for counterargument.

Persuasive Essay Organizational StrategiesWhat are two strong organizational strategies for persuasive essays?

Persuasive Essay Organizational StrategiesThe Multi-Story TechniqueIntroduction with thesisThree or more stories / anecdotes in body paragraphsConclusion Book-End TechniqueIntroduction with thesisOne long story / anecdote1st body P: beginning of story2nd body P: middle of story3rd body P: end of storyConclusion states why your story supports the thesis

GradingHow will the GHSWT be graded?

GradingScoring the graduation test You will be scored in the domains of ideas, organization, style, and conventions.So, what is meant by these domains, and what do they entail?IdeasThe ideas domain is scored onControlling ideas / focusSupporting ideasRelevance of detailDepth of developmentAwareness of the persuasive purposeSense of completeness

The ideas domain counts twice as much as any other domain.OrganizationIn the organization domain you are scored onOverall planIntroduction / body / conclusionSequence of ideasGrouping of ideas within paragraphsOrganizing strategies appropriate to persuasionTransitionsStyleThe style domain is scored onWord choiceAudience awarenessVoiceSentence variety

ConventionsIn the conventions domain you are scored onSentence formationUsage mistakes you can hearMechanics mistakes you can seeGeneral ScoringIn each domain, you may receive a score ranging from a 1 to a 5. A 5 is the highest score and a 1 is the lowest.