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Understand scoring rubric
Brainstorm relevant information and valid
inferences
Gain knowledge about effective writing
techniques
Understand common mistakes to better plan
for your next expository writing
Create an outline to prepare for writing
process
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Take a look at your scoring rubric, and read
the highlighted portions (this is why you
received this score)
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Write an essay explaining why it is sometimes
necessary to take a chance.
• Rank these examples as possible answers to the
prompt (these were ACTUAL examples in student work):
1) Disneyland
2) Avoid Failure
3) Wearing shorts
Scale: 1-5
4) Stuff
5) Skydiving
1= WEAK
6) Steve Jobs
5= STRONG
7) Skipping breakfast
8) Hunger Games
9) Success
10)Coffee
11) Crossing the Street
12) Things
13) Albert Einstein
14) Prevent injury
15) Neil Armstrong
16) Roller Coaster
17) Colonization of America
18) Physical/Mental risks
19) Playing Rookie
Quarterback
20) Something
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Weak Thesis statement/not answering the
question
◦ Question: Write an essay explaining why it is
sometimes necessary to take a chance.
 “Risks can be good but are mostly bad.
 “Taking a chance can have a positive or bad outcome.
It really depends on what your taking the risk on.”
**
“It is sometimes necessary to take chances, so a
person can live a life full of excitement and rewards”
**
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Too general body paragraphs/ no explanation
◦ “Taking risks will teach you a lot about life, and
help you be willing to try new things.”
◦ “It takes a small risk for a small reward, it is good
but you are taking small baby steps. Small baby
steps will help, but the bigger the risk the bigger
the reward.”
** Be specific with your examples
**Connect back to your thesis**
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Using “you”
** Speak in third person, avoiding “I/me/my” and
“you/your/yours”**
- EX: “You need to take risks to gain success.”
- EX: “Everyone needs to take risks to gain success.”
- EX: “If you want to learn from your mistakes, you
must take chances.”
- EX: “If a person wants to learn from his or her
mistakes, he or she must take chances”.
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Jumping from one example to the next
without explaining why it’s necessary
◦ “For example, Christopher Columbus took a risk
when he discovered America. Also, Steve Jobs took
a risk when he designed Apple. Finally, Nelson
Mandela took a risk with Freedom.”
*If you give an example, be sure to explain the
connection to the thesis, giving SPECIFIC
commentary*
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Why do we outline?
◦ Organize and accurately convey information
◦ Make points clear and explain ideas thoroughly
◦ Brainstorm possibilities
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Easy Four-Step Process!
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Let’s brainstorm for this prompt:
◦ English class is a mandatory class in High School.
Write an essay explaining why its important to take
English classes.
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Where do I start? A List!!
◦ Make a list of as many ideas as you can!
**Make sure these ideas can answer the prompt
clearly**
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Formulate a thesis statement using 2-3 of
your ideas
◦ This is going to be the big idea of your paper. It will
tell your reader:
 What they will be reading about
 The organization of your paper
 Your ideas/side on the subject
 EX: Taking an English course is important to a student’s
education because speaking and writing properly is a sign
of professionalism in the real world.
 EX: If a person wants to be successful in a business
atmosphere, he or she must take an English class.
 EX:
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Once you have ideas and a thesis…
◦ Begin outlining your body paragraphs
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Body paragraphs
◦ What is my topic for each paragraph?
◦ What SPECIFIC examples should I use to back this
up?
◦ How can I relate this example to my thesis?
◦ How can I transition into my next body paragraph?
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Conclusion
◦ How can I restate my thesis?
◦ How can I leave my reader feeling satisfied and that
I answered the prompt?
◦ What do I want my reader to walk away with?
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Step 1: generate a list of ideas
Step 2: develop a thesis using your ideas and
your thoughts on the prompt
Step 3: construct body paragraph topics
Step 4: Tie up loose ends in a conclusion
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Pick two prompts and create and outline
◦ Write an essay explaining why having a job during high
school helps a person’s future.
◦ Write an essay explaining why Austin, Texas is a great
place for young people to live.
◦ Write an essay explaining how technology has changed
our lives for the better.
◦ Write an essay explaining why a cat or dog is better than
the other.
◦ Write an essay explaining why it’s important to change
the world.