How to Succeed in PSSA Writing…

1. How to Succeed in PSSA Writing… …by really trying! Created by Mrs. Fowkes 2010

2. How to improve…Focus • Be sure it is clear who the audience is. You need to specify whom you are writing to. • Which introductory paragraph has a clearer sense of the audience? I’m a babysitter. I have past experience babysitting. I watch my neighbor’s daughter every Wednesday. vs. I understand that you have a position open for a cook, and I must write that I’m the one for this opening. I’ve had many years of practice in the culinary arts even though I am still a child. I am 14 years of age, but I can cook any meal whether it is breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert.

3. How to improve…Focus • Your purpose for writing must be clear; this includes the genre that you are asked to write. • Genre refers to whether you must write an essay, a letter, etc. • Do NOT write a letter unless it is specified in the prompt. Hi! I hope you hire me to mow your lawn. I am hardworking and responsible. I have lots of experience, and I even have my own equipment. or Dear Employer, I really want to work with children at your daycare. The experience would be helpful because I want to be a teacher in the future.

4. How to improve…Content • Use specific details. • Did you show or tell? You want to SHOW! Don’t tell the reader that you are experienced or hard-working—offer examples and give details to support this. Another reason to hire me is because I am a hard worker. If you tell me to do something, I will do it. I will always be there to do it. vs. Please know that I am very hardworking. I am a dedicated student who completes homework every night and brings home only As and Bs on my report card. This academic hard work would be helpful to you, my employer, for I speak English well and know more than basic math. Thus, I have the skills necessary to be a cashier at your store. Plus, since I work so hard, if there is something about the job that I do not know how to do, I will not stop until I learn it thoroughly.

5. How to improve…Organization • There is NO need to skip lines on the PSSA writing test. You may run out of pages if you do so. • The PSSAs do NOT require a heading. • Remember to indent your paragraphs. • FIVE paragraphs are highly encouraged (introductory paragraph—three body paragraphs—concluding paragraph). • Each body paragraph should be similar in length. • One sentence alone is NEVER enough to equal being a true paragraph.

6. How to improve…Organization • Each paragraph, especially a body paragraph, should have a clear topic sentence that introduces that particular paragraph’s focus. If you hire me to be your babysitter, your children will be very safe. Last year, I became CPR-certified. Additionally, I have First Aid training. I hope never to need to use my life-saving skills on your children, but if an accident occurs, I can come to their rescue. I also know, of course, to call 9-1-1 if it is a serious accident. With my training and common sense, your children will truly be in safe hands.

7. How to improve…Organization • Transitions are needed between paragraphs. Instead of NO transitions… or transitions like… My first reason… My second reason… My last reason… Try transitional phrases like… First of all… Most importantly… Secondly… Finally… Lastly… Also… Additionally.. As mentioned previously…

8. How to improve…Style • Use higher level vocabulary words, such as the words you’ve been studying this year. Examples: Hire me to be your cook because I have never made a vile meal. I loathe individuals who are lazy, so you will not catch me sitting around on the job! I am meticulous about paperwork, which is yet another reason to hire me as an assistant. *The underlined words are from The Diary of Anne Frank.

9. How to improve…Conventions • Avoid caPitalizing Randomly! • Be sure to punctuate properly with commas and apostrophes. • Im frustrated about the most common error I saw. Dont you see it? • Add in a semicolon (if you know how to use it correctly). • I don’t need to babysit with my sister I can babysit alone too. • Check your homonyms, especially there-their-they’re. • Your children will love me as there babysitter. There going to love the games that I will play with them.

10. How to improve…Conventions • If listing, be sure that what you are writing is parallel. • Can you make these examples parallel? 1. I love to play games with kids, to make snacks for them, and other things that they enjoy. 2. Hire me to mow your lawn because I am honest, a hard worker, and I love to be outdoors.

11. What’s unique to persuasive writing??? • Be sure to establish a REASON why. You are making a point here, but why??? Get into the reason, as seen below. I want to own a daycare one day or be a teacher at an elementary school. I love kids! vs. You should hire me to assist in your daycare. It would be such wonderful experience for me since I wish to own a daycare one day or be a teacher at an elementary school. I would be very motivated to do a good job at your facility. I love kids! They will play a huge role in my future.

12. What’s unique to persuasive writing??? • Counter an argument that your reader may make. I realize that you may not wish to hire me to be your personal assistant because I am so young. In fact, I have heard many adults say that children are not to be trusted. However, I am certainly an exception to this saying. I am very trustworthy. To prove this, I would like to point out to you that I am the secretary of two different clubs at my school. Being an officer in a club is a great responsibility, and I am trusted each day to be a role model and fulfill my duties. Age is only a number. What matters is a person’s character, and believe me, you can trust me to do the job right.