Final Reminders for FCAT Writes

1. Final Reminders for FCAT Writes Do’s and Don’ts

2. DO… • Remember the upside-down triangle for intro (Hook, Intro to Topic, and Thesis) and triangle for conclusion (re-state thesis, clincher). • Rememberyourthesisstatement must go at the END of your introduction. • Rememberyou MUST includeyourreasons in yourthesisstatement IN YOUR INTRO and you must make sure they match the rest of youressay to avoiddisorganization.

3. DO… • PLAN! Even if youjustjot a few things down before, it’llsaveyouerasing a wholeessaylater. A high percentage of studentswho score well plan ahead. • Use anecdotes; Use figurative languagewhenever possible, such as imagery, similes, metaphor, personification, etc. • Save yourstrongestreason for LAST! • Use topic sentences instead of transitions whenever possible (more of thislater) • SHOW THE READER, DON’T JUST TELL THEM! 

4. DO… (continued) • Elaborate! Explainyourselves. You have to be explicit with the reader. • PROOFREAD!! The lessavoidable and carelessmistakesyoumake, the better chances you have of earning a good score. • Remember the differencebetween « their, » « there, » and « they’re. » • Remember « your » and « you’re. » • Remember « to, » « two , » and « too. » • Do not use run-on sentences. Whenever possible, split up your sentences intotwo! • Remember basic rules of capitalization!!

5. DON’T… • Use statistics. It isprobablymuch more effective if you state a more generic and plausible factthan a statistic. • Be formulaic. Writeoutside the box. Makeyouressay stand out from the rest. OWN youressay! • How? Refer to the « DO » slides. • Use the word « it » somuch. Assume the readerdoesn’trememberanything and youneed to constantlyremindthem of whatyou’retalking about!

6. AVOID… • Transitions whenever possible. You can use themwithin the essay (however, moreover, furthermore, thus), but at the beginning of yourparagraphsyoucan use topic sentences just as effectively. • If youwill use transitions, avoid simple transitions such as « first, second, third, lastly, in conclusion » • Avoidmakingyouressaysoundforced. Theywillsee right throughit.

7. AVOID… (cont’d) • Usingsuch phrases as • « I believe… » • « I think… » • « My opinion is… » • « My first/second/last reason… » • « NowI’mgoing to explain/persuade… » • Using simple rhetorical questions such as « Don’tyouthink…. ?  » • Repetition. This iswhereproofreadinghelpssoyoudon’tsay the samething over and over again. • Usingweak « to be » verbs. If you use them, change them to stronger action verbs.

8. The following are questions to consider when looking over your papers. • Is the topic addressed? • Does the essay have focus? • How many supporting details are included in the essay? • Are my ideas connected? • Is the writing meaningful? • If Ihad more time, what would Iadd? • What might the reader enjoy knowing more about?

9. FINALLY… • Eat a good, not-too-heavy breakfast • Relax and believe in yourselves • « Defeat the  Huns » • Laugh in its face like Mr. Hallowaylaughed in the DustWitch’s face • GivethemFuddruckers burgers, not McDonald’s 

10. “When you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way, implicitly and unquestionable.”~ Walt Disney “All it takes is Faith and Trust” ~ Peter Pan