WRITING TEST
What to do on the NC Writing Test
- Listen to the directions that the test administrator tells you. Do not start writing until you are told you can!
- Read through the prompt when the administrator reads it.
- When the testing begins, you will have 100 minutes to plan and write your essay.
- Reread the prompt.
- Underline important information that you will want to use in your essay.
- Plan your essay on the blank sheet of paper.
- Write out the audience (who you are writing to), purpose (why you are writing), and context (how you should write).
- Sketch out your response to the prompt. Make sure you address the audience, purpose, and context.
- Make sure you plan your introduction, body, and conclusion.
- Make sure you include specific examples and many specific details.
- Do not only use information from the prompt. Add your own examples and details!
- If you have trouble starting your introduction, plan the body of your paper first and then work on your introduction.
- Write your essay.
- Be sure to maintain your focus!
- Be organized!
- Use details and examples!
- Read through what you have written and check for grammar errors. Repeat this step as many times as you can.
Test set-up
- The Box – Information that you can use for support and elaboration is inside of the box.
- The Prompt (What you have to do!) – The prompt will include the following words: “using the information presented, your own experiences, observations, and/or readings, write…..”
- The List – Near the bottom of the page under the box, there will be a list with a bold title that says “As you write your article/speech/letter/etc., remember to:” This box lists all of the features of writing that you need to make sure you address in your essay. Use this list to plan your essay and to double check that your essay is complete when you finish. Be sure to keep your focus!
Planning for a definition essay.
When you plan for a definition essay, you want to include the following pieces of information in the different parts of the essay.
Write your own definition first! Use your own ideas, experiences, and the ideas/quotes in your prompt to come up with your definition.
Introduction
Include what your definition of the word is.
List your examples
Body
You can organize the body of this type of paper two ways
You can list several different examples and write a paragraph about each example explaining how that example meets your definition of a hero.
You can break your definition into different parts and discuss each part in a separate paragraph. You still have to use examples!!
PICK ONE OF THESE CHOICES! YOU DO NOT HAVE TO DO BOTH!!!
Conclusion
Restate your definition.
Add any final thought on the prompt.
Planning for a cause/effect essay
When you plan for a cause/effect essay, you want to include the following pieces of information in your essay.
Decide if you have to write about causes, effect, or causes and effects. This determines your focus!
Make a list of the causes, effects, or causes and effects depending on what the prompt asks you to do.
Introduction
Introduce your topic.
Include your causes, effects, or causes and effects depending on what your prompt asks for. Only include those that you will write about in your paper.
Body
Look back at your list of causes, effects, or causes and effects.
Decide how to divide your list into paragraphs for the body of your writing.
Hints;
You do not have to use all the ideas from your list.
Center each paragraph on only one cause or effect.
Conclusion
Sum up your ideas and examples.
Make sure to restate your causes, effects, or causes and effects.
Thank you Ms. Parker!
