FCAT Writing
Expository and Persuasive Essay Overview of Requirements
Parts of an Expository/Persuasive
Essay
• Essay must be separated into paragraphs
• The Introduction must:
• Capture the readers attention through the use of
anecdotes, imagery, figurative language, precise
vocabulary, etc.
• Include the thesis statement (tell the reader what the
story/essay is about)
• The body paragraphs must:
• Include a topic statement and or statements.
• Include “organic” transitions.
• Include a varied placement of topic sentences.
• Focus on ONE topic per paragraph only.
Parts of an Expository/Persuasive
Essay
• The conclusion should include:
• The reasons stated in a new way.
• A connection to the introduction.
• A thought provoking, memorable phrase or sentence that leaves the
reader with a sense of completeness or wonder.
• A persuasive essay should have all the aforementioned elements,
but in addition it should:
• Evoke emotion
• Contain strong, commanding/emotional language but be LOGICAL.
• Appeal to good morals and ethics.
VerticalAlignmenttoShowDifferencesBetweenHolisticScoringPoints
Examinationof Criteriaby ScorePoint
1
2
3
4
5
6
writing is focused;
few, if any, loosely
related ideas
writing is focused
writing is focused and
purposeful, reflecting
insight into writing
situation
organizational pattern
provides for logical
progression of ideas;
transitional devices
give a sense of
completeness
organizational pattern
provides for a logical
progression of ideas;
transitional devices
give a sense of
completeness
support is developed
through ample use of
specific details and
examples; mature
command of
language
support is substantial,
specific, relevant,
concrete; mature
command of
language;
commitment to and
involvement with
subject; may use
creative writing
strategies
variation in sentence
structure; conventions
are generally followed
(mechanics, usage,
punctuation, spelling)
sentence structure is
varied; conventional
errors are few
(mechanics, usage,
punctuation, spelling)
Focus
addresses topic, may
lose focus with
extraneous or loosely
related ideas
addresses topic, may
lose focus by
including extraneous
or loosely related
ideas
writing is focused but
may contain ideas
that are loosely
connected
Organization
may have
organizational
pattern; may lack
sense of
completeness or
closure
organizational pattern
usually includes
beginning, middle,
and ending, but those
elements may be
brief
organizational pattern
is demonstrated, but
may lack logical
progression of ideas
organizational pattern
is apparent and
strengthened by use
of transitional devices
Support
little development of
supporting ideas; may
consist of
generalizations or
fragmentary lists;
word choice is limited
or inappropriate and
obscure meaning
development of
support may be
erratic and
nonspecific; ideas
may be repeated;
word choice is limited,
predictable or vague
development of
support is uneven;
word choice is
adequate
support is
consistently
developed, but may
lack specificity;
adequate word choice
Conventions
frequent and blatant
errors in basic
conventions including
errors in sentence
structure; mechanics,
usage and
punctuation,
commonly used
words misspelled
errors may occur in
basic conventions
including sentence
structure; mechanics,
usage and
punctuation,
commonly words are
spelled correctly
some variation in
sentence structure;
conventions are
generally followed
(mechanics, usage,
punctuation)
variation in sentence
structure is
demonstrated;
conventions are
generally followed
(mechanics, usage,
punctuation, spelling)
4 Areas of Instruction
Focus
topic
subtopic
on topic
off-topic
central idea
main idea
unimportant detail based on the writing plan
concept map
2-column notes
power notes
content frame
notes
extraneous
kind of paper (mode) -narrative, expository, persuasive, descriptive
lead
opening sentences, grabbers
Organization
transitional words
transitional devices
connecting ideas
smooth connection
between events
after event
author organizes
sequence of events
chronological order
conclusions
author begins
author ends
organize to list, compare
Support
repetition
deleted
replace
additions
precise
vague
word choice
voice
statement
extend, elaborate
support
overused
supporting idea/detail
suitable
style
tone
Conventions
capitalization
contractions
comma usage
semi-colon usage
colon usage
noun/pronoun agreement
homophones/homonyms
endings (s & ed)
verb tense
verb “to be”
irregular plurals
subject/verb agreement
comparisons - more, most, -er, -est
prepositions that refer to quantity – between, among
Understanding The Writing
Prompt
Writing
situation
Something to
think about
Useful Transitions
To Emphasize a
Point
To Clarify
To Add Information To Conclude or
Summarize
Again
For this reason
Indeed
In fact
To emphasize
To repeat
Truly
With this in mind
Because of
For example
For instance
In other words
Put another way
That is
Another
Again
Besides
Equally Important
Furthermore
Moreover
Along with
As well
All in all
As a result
Finally
Consequently
Thus
Therefore
Due to
In short
More Transitions…
• Moreover
• In fact
• Furthermore
• As a result
• Simply put
• For this reason
• Similarly
• Likewise
• It follows that
• Naturally
• By comparison
• Surely
Developing the Paragraph
• Facts/statistics-statements that can be
proven
• Sensory Details-descriptions that use the
senses
• Incidents-events that illustrate the main
idea
• Examples-specific cases or instances
• Quotations-the words of experts or
authorities
Building Support
• Precise Word Choice (Word
Array)
• Vocabulary Activities
(Synonyms/Antonyms;
• Multiple meanings of words
• FIRES (facts, incidents, reasons,
examples, statistics)
• Sensory Details
• Figurative Language Devices
• Voice
• Show Don’t Tell
• Magnified Moments
• Dialogue
• Vivid verbs and adjectives