GRADE EIGHT WRITING ASSESSMENT (GEWA) VOCABULARY

1. GRADE EIGHT WRITING ASSESSMENT (GEWA)VOCABULARY

2. Genre: A type of writing • Expository: The genre that requires the writer to inform or explain • Persuasive: The genre whose purpose is to convince.

3. Ideas: The content, details, facts, description, examples in a piece of writing (most important part = 40%!) • Organization: The logical arranging of ideas in a clear order • Style: Examples of this domain include word choice, voice, sentence formation, etc. • Conventions: Spelling, punctuation, capitalization, usage

4. Hook: writer uses quote, statistic, shocking fact or anecdote to get readers’ attention • Prewriting: planning of paper using a jot list, web or outline • Compare/contrast essay: An essay in which the similarities and differences of objects are given • Problem/solution essay: An essay in which the writer attempts to solve an issue

5. Writing situation: The part of a prompt that gives background about the topic • Controlling idea: The thesis or focus of an essay • Formulaic writing: Writing that is repetitive and tells the reader “My first reason is…” “My second reason is…”

6. Position statement: The writer’s point-of-view or opinion on a given prompt • Counter-argument: (persuasive essay only) showing you understand there is another side to your position (expecting and answering an argument to your position) • Irrelevant information: Details that are off-topic/not important

7. Depth of development: The quantity and quality to which you explain and describe the topic • Transitions: Words that help make a smooth flow from one idea to the next • Audience awareness: Knowing that someone else will read your paper and using appropriate language for that reader