tackling a timed writing much of this information comes from the following source: gallagher, kelly....
TRANSCRIPT
Tackling a Timed Writing
Much of this information comes from the following source:
Gallagher, Kelly. Teaching Adolescent Writers. Portland: Stenhouse, 2006.
On-Demand Writing
Why do we care?State-mandated assessments
SATAdvanced PlacementEmployment
The ABCs (and D) of on-demand writingA
Attack the promptB
Brainstorm possible answersC
Choose the order of your responseD
Detect errors before turning the draft in
A = Attack the Prompt
By the time students enter high school, they have learned about many moments in history that have influenced our world today. Think about a moment in history you studied and consider its importance.
Write a composition in which you discuss a moment in history. Share its importance in today’s world. Be sure to support the moment with details and examples.
Actual prompt doesn’t come until here.
There is usually some sort of intro in the form of a quote, thought, or story. READ THIS!
HOW to Attack the Prompt
1. Cross out any unneeded information.
1. This places your focus on what’s most important.
Write a composition in which you discuss a moment in history. Share its importance in today’s world. Be sure to support the moment with details and examples.
*** We should cross this out because we already KNOW we are writing a composition.
HOW to Attack the Prompt
2. Circle whatever the prompt tells you to DO.- This ensures that you know exactly what you need to do to fully answer the prompt.
Write a composition in which you discuss a moment in history. Share its importance in today’s world. Be sure to support the moment with details and examples.
HOW to Attack the Prompt
3. Draw arrows from the verbs to what you should do WITH the verbs.
- This draws your focus to EXACTLY what you should do.
Write a composition in which you discuss a moment in history. Share its importance in today’s world. Be sure to support the moment with details and examples.
HOW to Attack the Prompt
4. Write step by step directions of how you should write your response.
Write a composition in which you discuss a moment in history. Share its importance in today’s world. Be sure to support the moment with details and examples.
1. Discuss – a moment in history2. Share - its importance3. Support – details and examples
When you are done with A, it should look like this!
By the time students enter high school, they have learned about many moments in history that have influenced our world today. Think about a moment in history you studied and consider its importance.
Write a composition in which you discuss a moment in history. Share its importance in today’s world. Be sure to support the moment with details and examples.
1. Discuss – a moment in history2. Share – its importance3. Support – details/examples
B=Brainstorm Possible Answers
9/11HolocaustDeclaration of independence Iraq WarWWII
B=Brainstorm Possible Answers
9/11
Security-airports- amusement
parks- sporting events
The moment-4 planes-2 NYC-1 Washington-1 Pennsylvania
Patriotism-American flags-pledge of allegiance-flags in restaurantsRecognition of dead
Economy-airlines-hotelsRestaurants-Tourist attractionsSuffering
-widow-widowers
War-IraqLots of bombing/deaths-Osama
C=Choose the Order of Your Response
9/11
Security-airports- amusement
parks- sporting events
The moment-4 planes-2 NYC-1 Washington-1 Pennsylvania
Patriotism-American flags-pledge of allegiance-flags in restaurantsRecognition of dead
Economy-airlines-hotelsRestaurants-Tourist attractionsSuffering
-widow-widowers
War-IraqLots of bombing/deaths-Osama
1
2
3
4
5
D= Detect Errors Before Turning in DraftReread your essayFix 1st draft errors
Time Management and the Timed Writing
Minute 1 – “A” Read the prompt and think about your
response.
Make sure you understand what is being asked.
Minute 2 – “B” Brainstorm ideas
Write down words that come to your mind.
Do these words have correlations?
Minute 3 – “B” Take a position
Write a thesis – what do you think about the prompt?
Make sure the thesis is specific instead of too broad.
Minute 4 “C” Develop an outline – use the blank space
under the prompt.
Plan on a 4-5 paragraph essay
Introduction – Main Points - Conclusion
Minutes 5 - 17 Using the outline as a guide – begin writing.
Suggested 400 words
Use paragraphs
Make sure your essay makes sense.
Minute 23 Time check
You have about 7 minutes left – make sure you are almost finished.
If you are almost finished – focus on the conclusion.
Minutes 24-27 Finish
Conclusion
Minute 28 Read your essay
Do you need to add transitions?
Minute 29 Proofread for errors
Minute 30 Reread
Relax