Timed “On-Demand” Writing Success

Adapted from Teresa Laffin tlaffin@csisd.org

Observations

Students who are applying fundamentals of writing on

timed writings are generally earning great scores!

Thesis that addresses the prompt;

Effective topic sentences that build on thesis;

Thoroughly developed paragraphs with a clear organizational strategy;

Commentary that connects evidence to topic sentence/thesis.

Observations

Students who are not applying the fundamentals generally

earn lower scores!

We are looking for proof that you have developed as a

writer throughout your year in composition

If the fundamentals of your writing are off, you will not

demonstrate what you have learned.

Observations

Keep in mind that you need to show that you are a

good writer in addition to answering the question

for a top score.

A proficient response provides your perspective on

the topic and demonstrates your ability as a

writer.

Journal Essay #1: (put into Classroom)

Choose one of the following topics and write a response that includes:

previous experience, conversations you’ve heard, general knowledge of the

topic, and what your side of the argument is. Follow the principles of writing

here:

Topic 1: Who is a better superhero: Batman, Wonderwoman, Hulk, or

Spiderman? Why this character? Be specific and weave in evidence

to support your position. Do not use first person.

Topic 2: Which issue is more alarming right now: Illiteracy or the

presence of technology in our everyday lives? Choose one.

Group Project: Elements of an Effective Essay

❏Assignment: Let’s pretend we are going to turn this

journal/essay topic into a structured essay.

❏ In groups of four, you will talk about the essential

elements of an essay; each person is responsible for one

of the following: ❏ Introduction

❏ Body Paragraphs

❏ Conclusion

❏ Essential writing rules

Create a Poster

Using the poster paper, please create a poster

that highlights these elements;

Be creative;

Use illustrations, visuals, pictures, graphics, and

text that we can use as we work through this

unit of study.

Example: Use colors and visuals to further highlight what goes in an essay.

Planning Introduction

Body Paragraphs Conclusion (writing rules)

A Thesis Statement:

…Should be a fairly direct sentence (or two) that states

your position on the prompt.

A Rhetorical analysis…

Gives purpose of the piece you’re analyzing

Does not list devices. Too boring!

Essays

An Argument essay…

Takes a position on an issue/idea;

Does not list reasons you’ve taken this position.

Synthesis essay…

Also takes a position on the issue/idea;

Does not list sources or give reasons to support the position

Rhetorical Analysis

Focus on author’s purpose

You are evaluating the author’s use of rhetoric

You are a detective uncovering the clues about how the author built

his/her/their essay in order to achieve a purpose - expose their tricks!!

Think back to Rhetorical Precis!

Rhetorical Analysis

YES NO

Kelly passionately argues against

the horrors of child labor

Kelly uses pathos and ethos to

argue against child labor

Kelly sways her audience to take

a stand against child labor by

earning women’s suffrage

Kelly’s diction, syntax, and

figurative language show that she

is against child labor

Kelly charges her audience to

take action against the shame of

child labor

Kelly uses rhetorical strategies to

argue against child labor

Argument

ARGUE. ARGUE. ARGUE.

In other words, it’s not an expository, descriptive, paper.

BUILD your argument in your planning

Use a RANGE of devices and strategies;

Present a RANGE of evidence to support your argument;

Remember - use rhetoric!

Argument

YES NO

Humorists undoubtedly play a

vital role in our society

Humor in the forms of political

satire and verbal irony plays an

important role in our society

Although humorists have a place

in our society, their role is not

necessarily vital

Humor at the expense of another

person is cruel and unacceptable

The importance of the role of

humorists in our society is

currently overrated

Our society is filled with

humorists who both entertain and

enlighten the population

Synthesis

Blend the ideas and the sources with your own thoughts to develop a

strong position

Include the sources, but do not use them to organize your essay

Position-driven, NOT source-driven

If your ideas are all from sources, you’re not incorporating your OWN

beliefs and you risk a lower score. Think of yourself as a chef - you’re

transforming the ingredients provided into a delicious and unique

essay - cook up something fascinating - don’t just regurgitate

sources!

Synthesis

YES NO

Success is having the time and

opportunities to follow your

dreams

The stories of Chris McCandless,

John Muir, and Henry David

Thoreau show what success is.

Success, much like beauty, lies in

the eyes of the beholder.

This paper will discuss what

success means.

The current American standard of

success has fatal flaws.

Success is understanding that

“imitation is suicide.”

Topic Sentences

The opinion that controls the content of the paragraph

Should be a meaningful sub-idea of the thesis, not a list or random

collection of topics;

Should never be a factual or contain a citation.

Thesis: Kelley passionately argues against the horrors of child labor.

YES NO

Kelley builds her argument against child labor

by evoking emotion in her audience through

imagery.

Kelly uses ethos to argue against child labor.

Kelley’s rhetorical questions also draw her

audience into the fight against child labor.

Kelley uses diction and rhetorical questions to

argue against child labor.

Kelley’s references throughout the text to

items of clothing help implicate her audience

in the horrors of child labor in order to draw

them to her side.

Kelley tries to get her audience to see that child

labor is bad.

Organization Strategies

Be sure your body paragraphs are fully developed with

examples and evidence

A body paragraph with fewer than two developed examples is not a good

option

Paragraphs need development of ideas to show that you have control

over the elements of effective writing

Very brief paragraphs are probably not developing ideas with enough

depth

Organization Strategies

Brief intro, two to three body paragraphs, and a conclusion

should be the goal

If you have only two body paragraphs, they need strong development

Depth of argument is the goal here, not lots of examples

Dissecting the Prompt

What form of writing does the essay prompt require?

What are the purpose(s) of the assignment?

What information do I need to complete the task

What kind of details or arguments does the prompt suggest and would

these points make good paragraphs?

Who is the audience for the essay? How do their expectations affect

my writing style?

Dissecting the Prompt Recapitulation:

The part of the prompt that asks students to identify and explain an idea

or ideas central to the author’s discussion.

Invitation:

The second part of the topic invites students to respond to the author’s

views by discussing well-chosen examples and explaining how they

think these examples should be understood

Stipulation:

Students are directed to develop their essays using examples from various

sources to support their response: their own experience, their observations

of others, their own reading, the passage itself.

Dissecting the Prompt

Guiding questions

Break down the prompt into specific questions - the answers to these

questions become your thesis statement!

What Can I Do?

Prepare! Be in CONTROL…

Brainstorm LOTS of ideas (an outline is not brainstorming!). Pretend you

will get a prize if you come up with the most powerful and impressive

ideas

Write thesis and topic sentences (this is the outline part, friends!)

Make an outline that includes specific evidence and strategies (how YOU

will use ethos, pathos, & logos and address the opposition)

Do not start to write unless your argument is clear in your mind

Practice Time!

We will look at a prompt and an associated reading.

We will read and dissect the prompt together and then read the

associated essay.

Spend 10 minutes brainstorming, writing a thesis and topic sentence,

and outlining ideas.