LESSON #5: SERIES OF PARAGRAPHS
(LONG WRITING TASK)
Writing Tasks on the Literacy Test
 On the literacy test, you will have two long
writing tasks
 1) A News Report
 and
 2) A Series of Paragraphs (Opinion Essay)
 Today’s lesson will focus on: A Series of
Paragraphs
Please distribute Booklet
2 QUESTIONS and
Booklet 2 ANSWERS to
students.
Turn to page 2 in the
Booklet 2 QUESTIONS
book.
The instructions are
always the same for the
Series of Paragraphs
question.
The only change is the
topic you are given to
write about.
Here is a sample
question.
Breaking down the requirements so there are no surprises later:
Written instruction on
the Test
Expectation of the instruction
“Task: Write a
minimum of three
paragraphs expressing
an opinion…”
Notice the word “minimum”. Three paragraphs will NOT be
enough for full marks. Prepare a FIVE paragraph essay. This
allows you to fill in the space more easily and
systematically. You need an intro, 3 body paragraphs and
closing paragraph.
“Purpose and
Audience: an adult
who is interested in
your opinion.”
Use language that would make your teacher proud (no
slang, no short forms, no text messaging language). Use
full sentence. Be careful of your spelling and grammar.
“Length:…”
EQAO always gives you two pages with a total of 48 lines
across the page to answer the question. This space should
be filled but not exceeded. Do not OVERWRITE.
“Topic:…”
You are given a single question that you need to provide a
“for” or “against” response to. It doesn’t matter which
point of view you take as long as you have three supporting
reasons. Pick one side and stick with it.
How your work is marked
 Each answer is assigned two marks :
 Topic Development (main idea, supporting
details and organization)
 Use of Conventions (spelling, grammar,
punctuation)
 Teachers, please hand out one rubric per
student.
The Rubric for marking Topic Development (main idea, supporting details and
organization) looks like this:
The Rubric for marking Use of Conventions
(Spelling, Grammar, Punctuation) looks like this
Helpful Tips
 The “Topic” is always a single question that you need to
give a clear “for” or “against” answer to. Pick one side of
the argument only and stick with it. AVOID the approach
“I agree in some cases but disagree in other cases”.
 There is no reading attached to this question. All
information comes from your own experience and
imagination.
 There is a “Rough Notes” area which is not marked. Use
the SEES method (next slide) in this area to organize your
thoughts. This will make your organization and task of
filling two pages (48 lines) much easier.
 You can use “I think”, “I agree” in your response. This is
your opinion essay but you need to give at least three
examples/reasons to support your position and explain
them.
The final Series of Paragraphs should look like this.
Introduction Paragraph
Transition
Word
Body Paragraph #1
Transition
Word
Body Paragraph #2
Body Paragraph #3
Conclusion Paragraph
Transition
Word
Transition
Word
Topic: Is it a good idea for high school students to have a part-time job?
Rough Notes/Planning
STEP 1: Take a position
Having a part time job is a good idea for high school students because it: provides them with income,
increases their independence and provides work experience.
STEP 2: Give three reasons to support your position.
Supporting argument # 1 (S1)= Income
Supporting argument # 2 (S2)= Independence
Supporting argument # 1 (S3)= Experience
STEP 3: Use S.E.E.S to organize paragraphs to explain each of the three reasons stated in STEP 2




S - Sentence 1 – Supporting Argument (directly supports the point of view- for or against)
E - Sentence 2 – Explanation / Example (expands/explains the supporting argument)
E - Sentence 3 – Explanation / Example (expands/explains the supporting argument)
S - Sentence 4 – Summary statement
Body Paragraph 1
S1 – Provides and income
E1 – Able to go out with friend
E1 – Able to buy clothing
S1 – Avoid running to parents for
money
Body Paragraph 2
S2 – Increases independence
E2 – Self-sufficient, maturity
E2 – Learn about commitment, don’t let
employers down
S2 – Responsibility, accomplishment
Body Paragraph 3
S3 – Provides Work Experience
E3 – Resume, 2 people fighting over a job
person with experience will get the job
E3 – Learn about like, dislikes about jobs
S3 – People skills
STEP 4: Provide a closing paragraph where you restate your position and the main ideas.
From the arguments I have provided it is clear that having a part time job is a good idea for high school
students because of the benefits it provides, such as: income, independence and work experience.
Sample Answers
Let’s look at some samples of student
responses based on the Topic
Development Rubric /60 marks.
Remember an additional /40 marks is
based on the Conventions Rubric
(spelling grammar etc.) … we are just
looking at topic development.
CODE 50
Before we look at a perfect Code 60, let’s revisit the Rough Notes made earlier
Topic:
Is it a good idea for high school students to have a part-time job?
Rough Notes
AGREE
S1 – Income
E1 – Out with friend
E1 – Clothing
S1 – Avoid running to
parents
S2 – Independence
E2 – Self-sufficient,
maturity
E2 – Commitment, don’t
let employers down
S2 – Responsibility,
accomplishment
S3 – Work Experience
E3 – Resume, 2 people
fighting over a job
E3 – Like, dislikes about
jobs
S3 – People skills
CODE 60
Student Activity #1: Write a series of
paragraphs
•1) Turn to page 7 of the Booklet 2 QUESTIONS on page 2. Write your response in the Booklet 2
ANSWERS book on pages 2-4.
•OR
•2) Choose one of the questions below and write a response.
• Are today’s famous people good role models for young people?
• Should the sale of “junk foods” be banned from Ontario secondary schools?
• Should school uniforms be mandatory at the secondary level?
• Should joining a club or team be mandatory at the secondary level?
• Should Physical Education classes be mandatory for all four years of high
school?
•When you are finished self and/or peer edit your work
using the rubric provided.
Student Activity #2: Additional
Practice
This is the last OSSLT prep lesson. You will
notice that Booklet 2 has additional questions
that we did not complete during our lessons.
We encourage you to work on these questions
at home.
You can find the answers to these questions on
the school website by selecting the Literacy
Resources link.
Thank you for your attention and
participation!
 If you would like a copy of this PowerPoint
you can visit www.bcssonline.com for all the
materials used for each OSSLT preparation
lesson. Select the “Literacy Resources” link on
the right.