OnDemand Testing Prep Guide Four Forms Letter Article

On-Demand Testing Prep Guide

Four Forms �Letter �Article �Editorial �Speech

3 Tasks �Narrate an event �Persuade �Inform

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

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

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

What We’re Looking For �Text & language features of the form �Well-organized idea development �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

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

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

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

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

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)

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

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

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. )

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