On-Demand Testing

1. On-Demand Testing Prep Guide

2. Four Forms Letter Article Editorial Speech

3. 3 Tasks Narrate an event Persuade Inform

4. Test Days Two days of testing Each day, you receive 2 prompts. Choose one. One day will be a text-based prompt: read a piece of text, then use the text to write your response

5. 60-Minute Test • You have 60 minutes to respond to the prompt • Good plan: • 10 minutes plan & prewrite • 35 minutes write • 15 minutes proofread & revise

6. Choose the Right Form • Letter • Addresses a specific individual for a specific purpose • Editorial • Statement of opinion to be read by a group • Speech • Address to a group of people, usually connected by a common interest • Article • Conveys info to large number of people • Informs & entertains

7. What We’re Looking For • Text & language features of the form • Well-organized idea development • Purpose, purpose, purpose • Information that clarifies/justifies purpose • Ideas the communicate purpose • Explanation & support that help readers’ understand purpose • Support • Facts, examples, reasons, anecdotes, chart, etc. • Effective conclusions

8. The Article • Lead • Goal: capture the reader’s attention • Introduce article’s “hook”—its specific focus on the topic (audience’s interests/needs) • Body • Logical organization • Group info under subheads • Conclusion • Satisfying end • Often reconnects to the beginning • Wraps up the discussion

9. The Article - 2 General points: Nonfiction & factual Clarifies/Interprets complex issues by giving depth & meaning Includes specific detail Appropriate tone/voice Doesn’t state writer’s opinion, but viewpoint is often evident in the hook

10. Editorial • Beginning • Capture reader’s attention • Preview editorial’s intent (persuade) • Body • Address issue & offers rationale • Point-by-point organization • Suggest solutions • Answer questions; acknowledge opposition • Conclusion • Restate opinion & rationales

11. Editorial - 2 General points: Concise, coherent writing Expresses opinion clearly Specific details support writer’s opinioin, answer readers’ questions Anticipates audience point-of-view Avoids “I” statements (I believe, I think, in my opinion, it seems to me) Maintains polite, courteous tone

12. Letter • Structure • Date, return address, recipient’s address, salutation to start • Closing & signature to end • Beginning • Summarize purpose of letter • Body • Describe issue & propose solutions in orderly manner • Use specific detail to support purpose • Ending • Restate purpose • Request action (as necessary)

13. Letter – 2 General points: Writing is concise, coherent Express purpose (opinion, request) clearly Use specific details to support purpose Anticipate recipient’s POV & concerns Be courteous, polite

14. Speech • Beginning • Break ice • Introduce topic • Introduce you & your expertise • Body • Organize carefully to meet purpose • Build on logic & reason • Appeal to emotions & psychology to gain support • Conclusion • Restate purpose/viewpoint to gain support

15. Speech - 2 General points: • Build commonality with audience • Personal experiences • Anticipate audience reaction • Acknowledge & respond to opposing arguments • Rhetorical devices add interest, enhance message (alliteration, repetition, parallelism, etc.)

16. Testing Points Answers must be written on the lines printed in the test booklet Do Not write outside the black box that outlines the test book pages Write legibly. Writing too lightly, too small or too large makes writing hard to decipher. Dictionaries & thesauri will be available Review writing process cards provided with test