Interdistrict Writing Exam Josefino Rivera, Jr.

SurveyUnit 3: Making Moral and Ethical Decisions

24 March 2009

Interdistrict Writing Exam Who takes the exam?

– All 8th graders from Blach, Crittenden, and Graham

– All 9th graders from MVHS

Why?– The timed write is an opportunity to assess

the writing abilities of our incoming 8th graders and how much they grow in their 9th grade so we can identify what we need to do to make you better writers.

When?– Wednesday, 3/25 and Thursday, 3/26

When I am given a writing prompt, what do I do?

Identify what the prompt is asking me to do Figure out what kind of writing response the prompt requires:

descriptive, persuasive, compare and contrast, literary analysis, etc)

Brainstorm how most people would respond to the prompt Brainstorm an innovative way to respond to the prompt Brainstorm texts and experiences that can be used as

evidence (provided there is none that you are required to use)

Draft thesis statement Organize ideas using an outline Start writing the introduction and thesis statement Write the body following the claim, context, evidence,

warrant format Finish with a conclusion Reread essay and check for clarity and grammatical errors Title my essay

Identify What the Prompt is Asking Me to Do

What makes a good friend?– Reword any vague or unfamiliar terms

Nouns (and their adjectives) Verbs

– Friend: an acquaintance that you enjoy hanging with, someone who is always there, someone you can trust

– Good: positive influence– Makes: puts together, characteristics

What are the characteristics of an acquaintance that you enjoy hanging out with that has a positive influence on you?

What makes a good friend?

In the margins, list as many responses to this prompt that you can in one minute.

Figure Out What Kind of Writing Response the Prompt Requires

Descriptive? Persuasive? Compare and

Contrast? Literary Analysis?

Brainstorm How Most People Would Respond to the Prompt # of 9th graders at MVHS = ~450 # of 8th graders combined =

~450 Total # of 8th and 9th graders =

~900

Brainstorm How Most People Would Respond to the Prompt Fun Loyal: they “got your back” Great sense of humor Do things together Have things in common with me

Brainstorm an Innovative Way to Respond to the Prompt

From:– Fun– Loyal– Great sense of

humor– Do things

together– Have things in

common

To:– Unit 1:

Developing Personal and Cultural Identity

– Unit 2: Becoming a Scholar and a Leader

– Unit 3: Making Moral and Ethical Decisions

Brainstorm an Innovative Way to Respond to the Prompt

From:– Unit 1:

Developing Personal and Cultural Identity

– Unit 2: Becoming a Scholar and a Leader

– Unit 3: Making Moral and Ethical Decisions

To:– Friends aid in

developing my identity as a gay Filipino American.

– Friends contribute to aspects of my personal identity.

– Friends support me in becoming a true scholar, not a gamer.

– Good friends help in making ethical decisions, not hinder them.

Brainstorm Texts and Experiences that can be used as Evidence

Other Disciplines– Survey– World Studies– Algebra/Geometry– Earth

Science/Chemistry– World Language:

Spanish, French, Japanese

– PE– Music, Art, Photo,

Drama, Dance

Other Texts:– Books we’ve read– Books from other

classes– Books from previous

years– Books for fun– Movies– TV shows– Magazines– Newspapers– Song lyrics– Clubs

Brainstorm an Innovative Way to Respond to the Prompt

Other Disciplines– World Studies– Algebra/Geometry– Earth

Science/Chemistry– World Language:

Spanish, French, Japanese

– PE– Music, Art, Photo,

Drama, Dance

Other Texts:– Books we’ve read– Books from other

classes– Books from previous

years– Books for fun– Movies– TV shows– Magazines– Newspapers– Song lyrics– Clubs

Draft a Thesis Statement

Level 1: Uses the language of the prompt.– A good friend is…

Level 2: Uses the language of the prompt and a because clause.– A good friend is because…

Level 3: Does not use the language of the prompt; has original thinking.– Relationships of all kind contribute to one’s

identity, but good friends aid in establishing strong ethical values.

Organize Ideas Using an Outline

I. Introduction and ThesisII. Body

I. ClaimII. ContextIII. EvidenceIV. WarrantV. (Repeats ~3 times)

III. Conclusion

Organize Ideas Using an Outline

Remember, your thesis statement becomes a road map:– Relationships of all kind contribute to

one’s identity, but good friends aid in establishing strong ethical values.

Various kinds of relationships and their various contributions to one’s identity

Good friends aid in establishing strong ethical values

– Differing values– How they establish those values

Introductions Common:

– The generalization: “In life, friendships are very important…”

– The rhetorical question: “Have you ever had a friend?”

– The clichèd approach: “Friends are full of ups and downs…”

– Too specific: “There are so many lessons I learned from my friend Sharla.”

Innovative:– An anecdote (or

personal story): “When I was in the 7th grade, I called a girl the n-word.”

– Interesting statistics– A compelling quote– A comparative

metaphor: “Friends are like geometrical angles.”

Write the Body Following the Claim, Context, Evidence, Warrant Format

Claim: Sub-thesis Context: Information to make your

evidence fit more naturally Evidence: Personal experience or

other texts Warrant: Explanation of how the

evidence supports your sub-thesis and ultimately your main thesis

Finish with a Conclusion

Common:– “To sum up…”– Restating your

thesis.

Innovative:– Finish the anecdote you

started: “Though I didn’t know what the n-word meant, I knew its power and that was enough. But still, Amy forgave me.”

– Refer back to the metaphor you started with

– Make worldly connections: “Perhaps if we took the lessons from good friends and applied them to the international sector, we might have a more global community.”

Reread for Clarity and Grammatical Errors

There, their, and they’re Its and it’s Fragments or run-ons Comma splices

Title My Essay

Title should hint at the thesis of the essay.

Homework

Timed Write: “What makes a good friend?”

Give yourself only 40 minutes. Bring tomorrow to peer edit.

Exit Card

3 New things I learned today

2 Things I already knew

1 Question or concern I still have