Winners train.
Losers complain.
FSA Writing
Game Plan
1. Read the Prompt, twice
• First, read the prompt to determine if they are
asking you to write an argument or
informative essay
• Second, highlight the key words in the prompt
that will help you formulate your claim or thesis
statement
2-5 minutes
2. Skim Read the Sources
• Highlight anything that relates to your
key words and seems useful as
evidence
• Note the structure of the sources,
headings, titles, types
5 minutes
3. Choose a Text Structure
Informative Essay
Description Contrast
and
Compare
Order and
Sequence
Cause and
Effect
Problem
Solution
Definition
Essay will provide
details or
characteristics of
something
Essay will outline
chronological
events or a list of
steps in a
procedure
Essay will
describe an event
(cause) and the
effects that follow
Essay will give
information
about a problem
and explain one
or more solutions
Prompt
Clue
Words
Asks for adjectives, Same/different,
characteristics,
both/neither,
examples, images contrast, compare,
relationship
between
Order of events,
history,
instructions,
steps, signal
words
Cause, effect,
relationship
between,
because, as a
result, due to,
if/then
Problem,
solution, issue,
concern,
resolution
Essay will talk
about the
similarities and
differences
between people,
places, things, etc..
4. Plan Essay/Reread Sources
• Use the planning sheet to briefly
outline your essay
• Reread the sources as necessary and
highlight evidence from the text
5. Type Your Essay
• Use proper
capitalization and
punctuation
• Use quotation marks to
cite sources
6. Revise Your Essay
• Reread directions
checklist in the prompt
• Check spelling
• Check for typos and
missing words
• Remember to properly
cite your source
evidence
Let’s Practice
1. Read Prompt
Write an informative essay about the
viewpoints presented about the
Florida Caverns by the two authors.
Your informative essay must be based
on ideas and information found in the
passage set.
1. Read Prompt – Highlight Key Words
Write an informative essay about the
viewpoints presented about the
Florida Caverns by the two authors.
Your informative essay must be based
on ideas and information found in the
passage set.
2. Read the Source Packet
• Highlight anything that relates to your
key words and seems useful as
evidence
• Note the structure of the sources,
headings, titles, types
3. Choose an Informative Essay
Text Structure
• Description
• Compare and Contrast
• Order and Sequence
• Cause and Effect
• Problem/Solution
3. Essay ideas based on Text Structure
• Description: Explain how the authors used various literary
techniques to explain the caverns.
• Cause and Effect: Explain how visiting the Florida caverns
inspired the authors to write about them.
• Contrast and Compare: Compare and contrast the various
ways that the authors spoke about/feel about/analyze the
caverns.
4. Plan Your Essay
(Description)
Introduction
Background Information: What is this essay about?
Thesis: Many authors are inspired by
the Florida caverns, and use various literary
techniques to pay homage to them in
their writing.
Main Point 1
Main Point 2
Main Point 3
Conclusion
4. Plan Your Essay
(Cause and Effect)
Introduction
Background Information: What is this
essay about?
Thesis: Visiting the Florida Caverns has
an impact on many people, including two
authors who choose to write about them.
Main Point 1
Main Point 2
Main Point 3
Conclusion
4. Plan Your Essay
(Compare and Contrast)
Introduction
Background Information: What is this
essay about?
Thesis: Visiting the Florida Caverns has
an impact on many people, including two
authors who choose to write about them.
Main Point 1
Main Point 2
Main Point 3
Conclusion
4. Plan Your Essay
• Reread the sources and highlight evidence that you can use to help
support and establish your paper.
• Ignore source information that does not correlate with your thesis.
(The skill being tested is to read and extract the relevant details!)
• Remember your job is to explain your thesis, NOT to summarize the
sources!