Introduction to the FCAT Writing Assessment

What is the FCAT Writes?

-The FCAT Writes is an essay assessment that students will take in 4th, 8th, and 10th grade.

- On the 8th grade assessment, students will be required to write either a persuasive or expository essay.

- Each student is required to develop an essay with a clear introduction, body paragraphs that support the student’s ideas, and a conclusion that sums up the purpose of the essay.

What is expository writing?

- Expository writing asks the writer to explain an idea to his or her audience.

-Expository writing contains information and facts.

-KEY TERMS: inform, explain

Expository prompt

Students take courses that will help them in the future. 

Think about the one course that you think will be useful to you in the future.

Now write to explain why that particular course will be useful to you in the future.

What is persuasive writing?

-Persuasive writing asks the writer to convince his or her audience of a specific point of view.

-Persuasive writing contains evidence that supports the writer’s opinion.

-A writer should ALWAYS state their opinion in a persuasive essay.

-KEY TERMS: persuade, convince

Persuasive prompt

One of your best friends is thinking about dropping out of school. Think about the effect this might have on your friend’s future. Now write to convince your friend whether or not to drop out of school.

Who is the writer’s audience?

-The audience is the person(s), organization, or group that the writing prompt is directed towards.

-The writer must ALWAYS write to their audience.

- For example:

Now write to explain to the school board why physical education is important for middle school students.

The school board is the writer’s audience

What is a planning sheet?

The planning sheet is extremely important to keep ideas organized and writing focused and purposeful.

The planning sheet establishes an essay’s thesis with three strong ideas and at least three pieces of evidence to support each one of the three ideas.

The planning sheet will help to ensure success!

How many paragraphs should there be in my FCAT Writes essay?

The FCAT Writes essay must consist of five well developed paragraphs.

The paragraphs consist of an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

In order to achieve a six on the FCAT Writes, each paragraph must be focused, organized, and establish excellent support for the overall prompt.

Handwriting

A writer’s handwriting must be legible in order to receive a score on the FCAT Writes.

You DO NOT have to write in cursive to get a higher score. Always write in the manner that you feel most comfortable.

All assignments in Language Arts will require that students use legible handwriting in preparation for the FCAT Writes Assessment and your educational future.

How is the FCAT Writes scored?

The FCAT Writes is scored on a scale of one through six.

To receive a six the paper needs to be nearly perfect because the FCAT Writes is only a rough draft.

The FCAT Writes is scored based on mastery of the six traits of writing.

All six traits must be displayed effectively and successfully within the essay to receive a perfect score.

The Six Traits of Writing

Notes on the 6 traits

Use the back of your handout to write a definition for each of the 6 traits.

Ideas

Ideas are the writer’s ability to demonstrate understanding of the topic and elaborate on his or her comprehension. In each body paragraph, a writer must include, figurative language, a quote, a detailed example and/ or an anecdote.

Organization

Organization is the writer’s ability to make the essay follow a logical order. This includes the use of transitions and justifiers in each body paragraph and a transition in the beginning of the conclusion.

Examples of transitions: To begin, Initially, Furthermore, Equally important, Moreover, In conclusion…

Examples of justifiers: Clearly, Obviously, Essentially, As you can see…

Sentence Fluency

Sentence fluency refers to the writer’s ability to begin sentences in different ways. It is imperative that detailed and complex sentences are used throughout the essay. Starting with an adverb, prepositional phrase, or gerund will enhance any writing sample.

I left my geometry book on the school bus.

To improve fluency, start with a prepositional phrase:

On the school bus, I left my geometry book.

Word Choice

Word choice refers to the writer’s ability to use powerful verbs, nouns, and adjectives. It is extremely important to use high level vocabulary throughout the essay.

Instead of “said” use words like proclaimed, bellowed, murmured…

Instead of “went” use words like stumbled, sauntered, meandered…

Voice

Voice refers to the writer’s ability to show his or her personality through the writing sample. It is important to have a strong voice in your writing because it engages the reader and ensures that the writing stands out from the bunch.

A sentence without voice: It is important for children to brush their teeth everyday.

A sentence with voice: A toothbrush is a young child’s best friend.

Conventions

Conventions refer to the correct use of grammatical rules. It is important to understand how to effectively use punctuation, capitalization, commas, dialogue, and various other forms of grammar.He lurned how to repair there lawnmower in order to make mony mowing lawns.

The principle agreed to allow snacks in the classroom.

Learned, their , money, principal are considered elementary level words and should be used and spelled correctly.

However, using more advanced vocabulary, even if you’re not sure of the spelling is okay. His wound was excruciatingly painful.