Southern Nevada Regional Professional Development

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RPDP SecondaryLiteracy

Suggestions for Students Suggestions for Students Taking the Writing Taking the Writing Proficiency ExamProficiency Exam

Ready, Set, Write Strategies Developed by Jill M. Leone

(For ELL and Read/Write Students)

Copyright © 2006

RPDP SecondaryLiteracy

Introduction

These strategies and writing tips for proficiency are the ones that I have developed and used

successfully for many years with my ELL and read/ write students. However, they may also be used

with any students who need a little extra help with their writing. I recommend that you stop as needed

and practice the various strategies rather than presenting this to your students your in its entirety.

Good luck.RPDP SecondaryLiteracy

Students will – analyze a writing prompt examine different types of writing practice strategies for writing proficiency

RPDP SecondaryLiteracy

When you are asked When you are asked to take a writing test, to take a writing test, do you ever just sit do you ever just sit

there wondering there wondering where to begin? where to begin?

RPDP SecondaryLiteracy

Take a few minutes to watch this presentation, and the next time

you write for proficiency, it should be a lot easier.

RPDP SecondaryLiteracy

First, always read the topic First, always read the topic and the directions carefully.and the directions carefully.

Make surethat you

understandthe writing

prompt.

The prompt is the topic and the directions for a writing

assignment.

Address the assigned topic.

Provide background information.

Take a minute to thinkTake a minute to think and plan what you and plan what you

want to say.want to say.

Often a prompt will give you a choice by using the word

Remember to write about only one of the choices:

Think about an advertisement that is your favorite or least favorite.

If the directions contain two or more parts –

Be sure that you respond to everything that is asked.

Describe your school or place where you are receiving your high school education. Tell about the building and neighborhood, the students and teachers, and the events that take place in your school.

Describe your school or place where you are receiving your high school education. Tell about the building and the neighborhood, the students and teachers, and the events that take place in your school.

Look how many parts there are in this one writing assignment.

Organize your ideas on a piece of Organize your ideas on a piece of scratch paper before you begin writingscratch paper before you begin writing..

My schoolMy school buildin

g

neighborhood

students

teacherseven

ts

My schoolbuild

i

ng

neighborhood

students

teacher

s even

ts

new homes

parks andchurches

modern

Homecoming

sports

helpful

kind

big

gray

a lotfriendly

nice

old and young

My schoolbuild

i

ng

neighborhood

students

teacher

s even

ts

beautiful new homes

green parks andnew churches

modern

Homecoming

sports such as

football and soccer

helpful

kind

biggraystone

a lotfriendly

nice

huge

several

building

s

very

old and young

over 3,000 students

clean and

From many different countries

my school neighborhoodnot very old nicemodern familieshuge (more details) houses and apartmentsgray churches and parksover 3000 students cleanseveral buildings other schools nearby

(not important)

different programs

teachers eventslots of them sports (more details) friendly many different clubshelpful Homecoming, Sadie’s, Promold and young freshman barbecue

senior trip

Your paper’s easier to write.

You’ll respond to all parts of the topic.

You won’t forget your good ideas.

Ask yourself what verb tense Ask yourself what verb tense you need to use: probably you need to use: probably either PAST or PRESENT.either PAST or PRESENT.

You can tell from the verb tense used in the directions.

Try to keep all your verbs in the

same tense –

the tense you selected from

reading the prompt.

Have you heard people say:

You only get one chance to make a first impression?

Your topic sentence is veryimportant. Think of it as your

first impression.

Take your topic sentence from the first sentence in the

directions.

Make necessary changes, likechanging you/your to I/me/my.

Be sure to change the verb tense so it agrees with the first person I

or third person he, she, it.

Example: Discuss a situation that taught you a lesson.

Write:A situation that taught me a lesson was when I lost my wallet.

If the first sentence of the topicdoes not contain the words

you or your - you can use that as the first

sentence of your paragraph.

Almost everyone has had at least one teacher who is hard to forget.

Almost everyone has had at least one teacher who is hard to forget.

This is a free sentence because you don’t have to change it.

It also provides the reader with

Copy this sentence onto your paper exactly as it is.

Then, your second sentence can discuss your response.

Almost everyone has had at least one teacher who is hard to forget. My tenth grade English teacher is a person I will always remember…

This way, you can be sure of two things:

1. Your first sentence is correct.

2. You’re focused on the topic and what you need to write about.

Now, describe your tenth grade teacher and explain why she’s hard to forget.

Let’s try one you’ll have to change–

Recall a time when someone helped you. Explainwho that person was, where you were, what

happened, when it happened, and how you felt.

A time when someone helped me was last year. I was taking the CAT bus home from school becauseI stayed late to make-up a math test. I opened mywallet to pay for the bus ride and saw I had nomoney. It was almost dark and I told the driver my problem. Just then, a kind lady with long, red hair stood up and put in the exact change for me. Shetold me that she had a daughter about my age and hoped someone would do the same thing for her…

A time when someone helped me was

last year. I was taking the CAT bus home

from school because I had stayed late to

make-up a math test. I opened my wallet…

See how short and simple you can make your topic sentence?

You can save your interesting and colorful details for your supporting sentences.

Topic Sentence

Never write the word BECAUSE in your topic sentence!

Because…

If you write:

My best year in school was ninth gradebecausebecause I made many new friends.

The rest of your paragraph has to beabout your new friends in ninth grade.

My best year in school was ninth

grade. First, I made many new friends.

In fact, I met my best friends in my

ninth grade English class. In addition,

I had wonderful teachers, who really

helped me with my reading and math.

Also, ninth grade was my first

experience playing sports…

By shortening your topic sentence and eliminating the word because –

you can now write about the experiences that made ninth grade your

best year in school.

If you’re a student still learning Englishand have trouble with past tense verbs, you can write your topic sentence:

My best year in school was ninth grade. I can close my eyes and picture it now. I have many new and wonderful friends. My teachers are very friendlyand helpful. I play soccer everyday afterschool. In fact, my coach helps me …

My best year in school was ninthgrade. I can close my eyes andpicture it now. I have many newand wonderful friends. My teachersare very friendly and helpful. I playsoccer everyday after school. In fact, my coach helps me…

By bringing your reader back to the past(like a time machine), you can now write

your paper in the present tense

instead of the past.instead of the past.

You can probably communicate with

people in almost any country in the world if

you know the verbs and how to use them.

Make sure you understandwhether you’re using regular or irregular verbs.

It makes a difference in the past tense because irregular verbs don’t end in –ed the wayregular verbs do.

I help my teacher every day after school.

I helped my soccer coach yesterday.I bring my lunch to school each day.Yesterday, I brought lunch for my

friend, too.

It’s a good idea to memorize your irregular verbs.

If you’re writing about one person, one place, or one thing in the present tense, add either –s or –es to the end of your verbs.

Example: I walk.

He/she/it walks.

• If you’re not sure which verb form to use, substitute the pronouns: he, she, it, or they for your nouns.

• If you can substitute he, she, or it in the present tense, then you need to add –s or –es to your verb.

My teacher speaks.

He speaks.

The student comes to class everyday.

She comes to class everyday.

They come to classeveryday.

Do not change your verb tenses after the following words:

to would did could can should will might

He could not went on the trip. (incorrect)

He could not go on the trip. (correct)

Be careful with your verb tenses after the word NOT.

No more than 1 – 2 lines.

This will help prevent run-on sentences.

Run-on sentences are sentences that are too long and seem to go on forever.

Your paragraph should contain Your paragraph should contain no less than no less than::

A topic sentence

At least 8 – 10 supporting sentences that give more details about your topic

A conclusion or summary sentence

first also for example

then in addition in fact

next however above all

soon meanwhile in reality

later at last unfortunately

suddenly therefore meanwhile

before finally in conclusion

afterward for these reasons in the future

Your transition words help the reader Your transition words help the reader follow your ideas.follow your ideas.

Make sure you understand the difference!

Plural words: events, students, books

Possessive: Juan’s truck my friend’s locker

Some words just end in –s like always.

Write neatly and clearly.Write neatly and clearly.

If they can’t read it, they can’t pass it!If they can’t read it, they can’t pass it!

Be descriptive enough so anyone reading your paper can close his

eyes and picture what you’re writing about.

If you’re writing about a ring you found, say what color the stone is, if it’s silver or gold, big or small, and how it’s shaped.

I found a gold ring with a huge, round, sparkling red stone.

Make your writing should sound like you’re writing from experience.

Show understanding of the topic even if you have to invent situations

and details. Guess I’ll have to

invent things.

Try to make your paper sound like YOU wrote it.

Give it your own style and personality.

Make it sound honest and written from the heart.

Always make your paper sound like there is a reason for you to be telling this.

No one enjoys reading a paper that was just “thrown together” for a grade.

You don’t “throw yourself together” to come to school each day!

Always describe your reaction to what happened or what you learned.

this (singular)

these (plural)

those (plural)

• THIS = singular; for this reason

• THESE = plural; for these reasons

For this reason, my favorite singer is Jennifer Lopez.

For these reasons, my favorite singer is Jennifer Lopez.

The singular pronoun THIS = 4 letters.The plural pronoun THESE = 5 letters.

(several, more than one)

(one)

•www.musicofpuertoric...s/jennifer_lopez.jpg

In Spanish, you write - “Ella no tiene nada.”

In English, you can’t use none, nothing, no one, nobody, in the same sentence with no, not, or never.

You have to write: any, anything, anyone, anybody

• He does not have any money. (correct)

• He does not have no money. (incorrect)

• He doesn’t have no money. (incorrect)

• She did not say anything. (correct)

• She did not say nothing. (incorrect)

• She didn’t say nothing. (incorrect)

Do not start sentences with these words:

and because

but so

When you find yourself When you find yourself starting sentences starting sentences

with these words!with these words!

Remember these transition words and phrases:

And Also, In addition,

But However, Yet,

So Therefore, Consequently,

Because For this reason,

Instead of writing:But I was the only one who knew the correct answer.

Write:However, I was the only onewho knew the correct answer.

…and then… and then… and then…

Tells a story about something that happened in the past

Keep your verbs in the past tense.

Don’t go back and forth between the past and the present.

Or forces the reader to slow down and reread your paper will lower

your writing score.

• You are trying to make the reader think differently.

• Your position must be very clear.

• Use facts, examples, and reasons to support your opinion.

• Whatever position you take, stay with it.

If you write that a TV program is bad and

should be canceled, don’t bother

to discuss any good points about the show.

That would not be related to your topic.

Try to stay focused on your position.

Give at least 3 reasons to persuade your reader.

123

The Cristina Show

1. Topics discussed are too personal.

2. Very embarrassing.

3. Bad taste, offends many people.

After each reason, give an example:

The topics people talk about on the Cristina

show are too personal. For example, the

guests talk about very private things that

only the family should know about.

Reason

Example

Sometimes it’s embarrassing to watch Cristina’s show in front of other people. In fact, my grandfather always takes my little sister to the kitchen for a drink when guests say things that are very personal.

This explains how to do something,like a step by step set of instructions.

It can describe an idea, a process, or an event.

You can also use it to explain a relationship.

When you’re writing to explain, your

transition words are important to help

your reader understand and

follow what you are saying.

When you’re writing to explain,

your transition words are important to help

your reader understand and follow what you’re

saying.

When baking a cake, first preheat the oven. Next, mix the dry ingredients such as flour and sugar. After this, add the wet ingredients such as eggs and milk. Before you pour the cake batter into the baking pan,grease the pan so the cake doesn’t stick to the sides.

Use a semi-colon for two sentences that are related in meaning.

Example: The sky is clear; you can see across the city for miles.

You would not use a semi-colon for:

The sky is clear; I ate ham and eggs

for breakfast.

These two thoughts are not related

in meaning.

If you’re not sure how to spell a word, don’t use it.

Choose another word thatmeans the same thing –

or almost the same thing.

For words you use more than once, make sure you spell them

the same way each time.

It’s too easy to make mistakes after contractions, especially with not.

Instead of writing: I didn’t know anyone at the party.

Write:I did not know anyone at the party.

In Spanish, the single word es is used to mean it is / he is / she is.

After a noun or pronoun, you don’t needto repeat the it, he, or she.

Example:

The singer has a good voice. (correct)The singer he has a good voice. (incorrect)

Don’t forget to indent thefirst line of each

paragraph:

about the width of two fingers or

the size of your thumb.

No matter what –

Never leave your reader “hanging” and wondering how your paper

ends.

How should you end your paper?

You can finish by writing:

“In conclusion,…”

“It is clear that …

Then, recopy or reword yourtopic sentence.

Only capitalize the InIn or ItIt..

In conclusion, ninth grade was my best year in school.

It is clear that ninth grade was my best year in school.

These are not the best endings, but they are safe if you’re not an experienced writer.

In the future,… is also a good way to begin a closing sentence, but

can’t be used for all paragraphs.

In the future, I will think of my ninth grade year and smile.

A sharp pencil point

and neat handwriting

are very important.

Don’t attach any additional sheets of paper to your answer sheet.

Don’t attach any extra sheets of paper

to your answer sheet.

Proofread your writing before you turn it in.

Be careful copying your sentences from your scratch paper to your

answer sheet.

It’s very easy to miss a word.

Double-check your final copy line by line.

Use another piece of paper as a marker.

Go down the page line by line.

Make sure you’ve included everything and spelled words that are repeated the same way way throughout your paper.

Clear topic sentence

Supporting sentences with transition words

Check your capitals, punctuation, and spelling.

Turn any fragments into complete sentences.

Eliminate any unrelated sentences.

Verb tenses should agree.

Details should fit where placed with logical sequence.

Conclusion or summary sentence

The paper is off the topic. The paper contains obscene or

objectionable material. The paper is blank. The paper contains insufficient

writing for evaluation. The paper is written in a foreign

language. The paper is unreadable.

Get a good night’s sleepbefore the test.

Eat a healthy breakfast.

Take your time and don’t rush or worry if other students finish

before you.

Good luck!!!

Permission is granted to copy (unmodified) all or part of this PowerPoint for educational, personal, non-commercial use off-line as long as the copyright message (Copyright © 2006 by Jill Leone) is maintained on the title page. This material may notbe sold, duplicated on other websites, incorporated in commercial documents or products, or used for promotional purposes.

Copyright © 2006 by Jill M. Leone

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