Alabama Direct Assessment of Writing

Alabama Direct Assessment of Writing Stoney M. Beavers

General Reminders • Annotate your prompt if allowed • Do about 5-10 minutes of brainstorming and organizational prewriting: • Possible topic choices (Avoid obvious) • Thesis statement (except narrative) • Great opening sentence • Beginning, Middle, End • Simile, Metaphor, Hyperbole, Personification

General Reminders Continued… • Have a plan before you begin writing • Use a title unless it is not required for the format (e.g. letters) • Do not skip any lines; you might need them • Use paragraph structure (indent) • Follow the format required by the prompt • Write as much good content as possible

General Reminders Continued… • Don’t repeat yourself just to fill up space • Use detailed, specific, descriptive language • Use figurative language • Use sentence variety • 3-word sentence • Sentence with a semicolon • Compound sentences

General Reminders Continued… • Write as neatly as possible • Don’t waste your time • Keep track of time • Use all of your time • Proofread carefully • Boost vocabulary • Check for last-minute improvements

Narrative Writing • Clue Words • “Tell about a time” • “Write a story” • Include a specific time and place • Include a clear sequence of events • Include effective description • Use meaningful and precise language

Narrative Writing Continued… • Use time transition words to move the narrative through time • Use chronological order to tell the events of the story • Remember the who, what, where, when, why, how questions

Narrative Writing Level IV • Clearly presents a sequence of events, telling explicitly what happened with thorough development; provides a distinct setting (time and place) and utilizes a variety of descriptive words and phrases as appropriate • Displays a strong sense of audience and purpose in word choice (tone and language)

Narrative Writing Level IV • Strong organizational pattern • Strong author control • One clear controlling idea, no wandering • Thorough examples, facts, statistics, anecdotes, and/or details • Smooth flow with effective transitions • Limited number of mechanical errors • Good conclusions • Complex sentence variety

Narrative Writing Level IV • Vivid and precise vocabulary • Creativity • Description enhances the story

Expository Writing • “Explain” • “How to…” • Include a main idea (thesis) • Include supporting details • Include a conclusion • Include appropriate description • Use meaningful, precise language

Expository Writing • Use transition words to connect ideas • Use an organizational plan with the least important reason to the most important reason • Use chronological order if you have to write a paper telling “how to” do something (In order to prepare a delicious chocolate cake, you need the right ingredients, proper cooking procedures, and a skillful frosting technique.) First, second, third...

Expository Writing Level IV Precisely presents reasons, explanations, or steps in a process: displays logical order and appropriate sequencing of reasons or steps; contains a main idea or thesis, thorough and elaborate supporting details, and a conclusion; uses a variety of descriptive words and phrases as appropriate

Persuasive Writing • “Convince” • “Persuade” • Include a clearly stated opinion • Include logical and convincing reasons • Include appropriate description • Use meaningful, precise language

Persuasive Writing • Use transition words to connect ideas • Use an organizational plan with the least convincing reason to the most convincing reason

Persuasive Writing Level IV Precisely states a position and limits it appropriately; thoroughly presents logical and persuasive details, reasons, and/or examples to support the position; utilizes descriptive words and phrases as appropriate

Name That Prompt • Think about a time when you or someone else was in a situation that you did not think was fair. Using precise details, write a story about what happened. • Narrative

People are always looking for ways to improve schools, and some of the best ideas come from students. Think of ONE change you could propose that would make your school better. Write an essay explaining ONE change you would make. Be sure to give specific examples and/or reasons to explain your choice. • Expository

Many legislatures are considering a law that would create teenage curfews for all towns and cities in Alabama. Decide whether you are for or against this proposal. Write a persuasive letter to your representative stating your position about this curfew proposal. Give convincing reasons and/or specific examples to support your opinion. • Persuasive

Suppose you won a million dollars. Write a story telling what you would do with the money. • Narrative

What is a job that you do that you do not like to do? Tell your classmates what the job is, and explain why you do not like to do that job. • Expository

Forgetting can cause problems. Write a story about a time when you or someone else forgot something. Tell what happened. • Narrative

The school board is trying to decide whether or not backpacks should be allowed back in high schools. Decide whether you are for or against returning the use of backpacks to high schools. State your opinion and persuade the school board members to support your opinion. Be sure to include your reasons and/or specific details. • Persuasive

Where is a place you like to go? Tell a friend where this place is, and explain why you like to go there. • Expository

You read a newspaper ad that said, “Brave tenth graders needed for part-time work.” You and a friend applied for the job and got it. Write a story about what happened. • Narrative

I am very proud of all of you!Remember III = 95; IV = 100! Best of luck tomorrow! Do your very best, use all of your time wisely, and we’ll celebrate your achievements!

Alabama Direct Assessment of Writing