Transcript FCAT Writing Mode Matters

FCAT Writing
Mode Matters
Renn Edenfield, FCAT Writing Specialist
Fall 2008
What is the purpose of a prompt?
The prompt should
• present a topic in a format that serves
to encourage, stimulate, and evoke a
written response;
• appeal to the greatest number of
students possible; and
• present the intended purpose for
writing (mode).
Renn Edenfield, FCAT Writing Specialist
Fall 2008
Narrative Writing (Grade 4)
The unmistakable purpose of this type of
writing is to recount a personal or fictional
experience based on a real or imagined event
and to create a central theme or impression
in the reader’s mind.
• Goal – use of insight, creativity, drama,
suspense, humor, or fantasy to develop an
identifiable story line (one that is easy to follow
and paraphrase) through use of events and
details that work
together
Renn Edenfield, FCAT Writing Specialist
Fall 2008
MODE MATTERS!
What’s the PURPOSE?
Narrative Writing
• Recounts a personal or fictional
experience
• Tells a story
• Creates a central theme or impression;
develops an identifiable story line (easy
to follow and paraphrase)
Renn Edenfield, FCAT Writing Specialist
Fall 2008
Narrative Prompt Specifications
• The prompt should tell the student the subject
(topic) and the purpose for writing.
• Cue terms in narrative prompts – write about
a time, tell what happened when, or write a
story about
• Term to avoid - why (tends to elicit exposition)
Renn Edenfield, FCAT Writing Specialist
Fall 2008
Example of a Narrative Prompt
(Writing Situation:)
Everyone has done something
that he or she will remember.
(Directions for Writing:)
Think about a time you did
something that you will always
remember.
Now write a story about the
time you did something that you
will always remember.
Renn Edenfield, FCAT Writing Specialist
Fall 2008
Grades 4, 8, and 10 Expository Writing
The unmistakable purpose of this type of
writing is to inform, clarify, explain, define,
or instruct.
• Goal – carefully crafted presentation of facts,
examples, or definitions that create a clear,
central focus and enhance the reader’s
understanding; although objective (not
dependent on emotion), often lively, engaging,
and reflective of writer’s commitment to the
topic
Renn Edenfield, FCAT Writing Specialist
Fall 2008
Expository Prompt Specifications
• The prompt should tell the student the
subject (topic) and the purpose for
writing.
• Cue terms to use in expository prompts
– why, how, or what
Renn Edenfield, FCAT Writing Specialist
Fall 2008
Grades 8 and 10 Persuasive Writing
The unmistakable purpose of this type of
writing is to convince the reader that a point
of view is valid and/or that the reader should
take a specific action.
• Goal – clearly stated topic, issue, or opinion
with elaboration that indicates the writer’s
understanding and conviction; writer may
refute counterarguments to clarify the position
Renn Edenfield, FCAT Writing Specialist
Fall 2008
Persuasive Prompt Specifications
• The prompt should tell the student the subject (topic),
audience, and the purpose for writing.
• Cue terms in persuasive prompts – convince,
persuade, and why
• Avoid using how - (tends to elicit exposition or narration)
• Persuasive prompts should avoid writing to an
audience of friends/peers (tends to elicit extremely
informal writing, such as text messages and
abbreviated language)
Renn Edenfield, FCAT Writing Specialist
Fall 2008