Introduction to the FCAT
Writing Assessment
What is the FCAT Writes?
-The FCAT Writes is an essay assessment that students
will take in 4th, 8th, and 10th grade.
- On the 8th grade assessment, students will be required
to write either a persuasive or expository essay.
- Each student is required to develop an essay with a
clear introduction, body paragraphs that support the
student’s ideas, and a conclusion that sums up the
purpose of the essay.
What is expository writing?
- Expository writing asks the writer to explain an idea to his or
her audience.
-Expository writing contains information and facts.
-KEY TERMS: inform, explain
Expository prompt
Students take courses that will help them in the future.
Think about the one course that you think will be useful to you in the future.
Now write to explain why that particular course will be useful to you in the future.
What is persuasive writing?
-Persuasive writing asks the writer to convince his or her audience
of a specific point of view.
-Persuasive writing contains evidence that supports the writer’s
opinion.
-A writer should ALWAYS state their opinion in a persuasive essay.
-KEY TERMS: persuade, convince
Persuasive prompt
One of your best friends is thinking about dropping out of school.
Think about the effect this might have on your friend’s future.
Now write to convince your friend whether or not to drop out of
school.
Who is the writer’s audience?
-The audience is the person(s), organization, or group
that the writing prompt is directed towards.
-The writer must ALWAYS write to their audience.
- For example:
Now write to explain to the
What is a planning sheet?
The planning sheet is extremely important to keep
ideas organized and writing focused and purposeful.
The planning sheet establishes an essay’s thesis with
three strong ideas and at least three pieces of evidence
to support each one of the three ideas.
The planning sheet will help to ensure success!
How many paragraphs should there be in
my FCAT Writes essay?
The FCAT Writes essay must consist of five well
developed paragraphs.
The paragraphs consist of an introduction, three body
paragraphs, and a conclusion.
In order to achieve a six on the FCAT Writes, each
paragraph must be focused, organized, and establish
excellent support for the overall prompt.
Handwriting
A writer’s handwriting must be legible in order to
receive a score on the FCAT Writes.
You DO NOT have to write in cursive to get a higher
score. Always write in the manner that you feel most
comfortable.
All assignments in Language Arts will require that
students use legible handwriting in preparation for the
FCAT Writes Assessment and your educational future.
How is the FCAT Writes scored?
The FCAT Writes is scored on a scale of one through
six.
To receive a six the paper needs to be nearly perfect
because the FCAT Writes is only a rough draft.
The FCAT Writes is scored based on mastery of the six
traits of writing.
All six traits must be displayed effectively and
successfully within the essay to receive a perfect score.
The Six Traits of
Writing
Notes on the 6 traits
Use the back of your handout to write a definition for
each of the 6 traits.
Ideas
Ideas are the writer’s ability to demonstrate understanding
of the topic and elaborate on his or her comprehension. In
each body paragraph, a writer must include, figurative
language, a quote, a detailed example and/ or an anecdote.
Organization
Organization is the writer’s ability to make the essay follow a
logical order. This includes the use of transitions and
justifiers in each body paragraph and a transition in the
beginning of the conclusion.
Examples of transitions: To begin, Initially, Furthermore,
Equally important, Moreover, In conclusion…
Examples of justifiers: Clearly, Obviously, Essentially, As you
can see…
Sentence Fluency
Sentence fluency refers to the writer’s ability to begin
sentences in different ways. It is imperative that detailed
and complex sentences are used throughout the essay.
Starting with an adverb, prepositional phrase, or gerund will
enhance any writing sample.
I left my geometry book on the school bus.
To improve fluency, start with a prepositional phrase:
On the school bus, I left my geometry book.
Word Choice
Word choice refers to the writer’s ability to use powerful
verbs, nouns, and adjectives. It is extremely important to
use high level vocabulary throughout the essay.
Instead of “said” use words like proclaimed, bellowed,
murmured…
Instead of “went” use words like stumbled, sauntered,
meandered…
Voice
Voice refers to the writer’s ability to show his or her
personality through the writing sample. It is important to
have a strong voice in your writing because it engages the
reader and ensures that the writing stands out from the
bunch.
A sentence without voice: It is important for children to
brush their teeth everyday.
A sentence with voice: A toothbrush is a young child’s best
friend.
Conventions
Conventions refer to the correct use of grammatical rules. It
is important to understand how to effectively use
punctuation, capitalization, commas, dialogue, and various
other forms of grammar.
He lurned how to repair there lawnmower in order to make mony
mowing lawns.
The principle agreed to allow snacks in the classroom.
Learned, their , money, principal are considered elementary level
words and should be used and spelled correctly.
However, using more advanced vocabulary, even if you’re not sure of
the spelling is okay. His wound was excruciatingly painful.