 Types of writing -
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Persuasive – to convince the reader of something
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Expository – to explain something
 Narrative – to relate an incident or tell a story
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Descriptive – to use the senses to make the reader feel what you feel, see what you see, hear what you hear, etc.
 Four reasons to write – to inform, to explain, to persuade, to entertain
 Techniques of persuasion – state the facts , state the benefits to the reader, state the author’s expertise , connect emotionally with the reader (FBEE – however you remember that!)
 Letter writing – use the correct format, including address and date at top, Dear Mr.
Jones, and closing at end (Ex: Your Friend, Fred) Hint – avoid Sincerely if you can’t spell it!
 Use the writing process:
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Prewrite – brainstorm, choose your best points, then organize them!
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Draft – actually write your answer in the best way you can!
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Revise/Edit – reread your answer and make changes as necessary!
 Publish – this happens when you turn it in!
 Compare – means to show how objects or ideas are alike
 Contrast – means to show how objects or ideas are different
 Compare and contrast – don’t forget to do both in an organized way!
 Order – put items in a given order; Ex: chronological, alphabetical, order of importance

 Introductory paragraph – includes a thesis statement, introduces the topic, states main ideas found later in the essay but doesn’t go into detail about them, and provides context and/or the author’s attitude toward the subject.
 Body – goes into detail about ideas presented in introductory paragraph, is organized into cohesive paragraphs, may include anecdotes (stories) and examples to make point clear
 Concluding paragraph – ties together main ideas from the essay and draws a conclusion, introduces NO NEW information, and is a logical result of the information presented in the body of the essay.
 Use transitions between paragraphs that show the relationship between them. For example, to show addition, use words like moreover, first, second, third, furthermore, too, in addition to. To show a time relationship, use: while, when, after, before, during, next, always, never. To show a comparison, use: similarly, likewise, by the same token, in similar fashion. To show contrast, use: however, but, nevertheless, notwithstanding, on the other hand.
 Vary your sentence structure! Remember, N2SSWTSW – no two sentences start with the same word, at least within one paragraph!
 Keep it real for a 14-15 year-old student, but don’t fall into slang or AOL talk!
Remember, even if it’s a letter to a friend, it’s really a test question! Use your voice in a sincere expression of who you are!
Writing Test-Taking Tips:
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The writing test is made up of two writing prompts, 10 multiple choice, and one short answer!
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The multiple-choice questions are worth one point each, so they will add up to ten points to help your score!
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On the two prompts, use the writing process – Prewrite (brainstorm), draft, and revise/edit.
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Underline the key words in the prompt. If it asks you to explain, make sure you make your point clear. If it asks you to describe, use the senses! If it asks you to tell about, chances are it’s a personal story they’re asking for! Do what the question asks!
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Really organize your thoughts in the prewriting step. Identify three main points to mention in your introduction, then support each point in the next three paragraphs

with clear explanations, examples, stories, etc. Finally, sum them all up in your conclusion and tie it all back in to the introduction.
 In the brainstorming step, there are no stupid ideas! Just write whatever comes to mind, and then once you stop writing, go through them and pick your best idea for further thought! Branch off from it with ideas that would make it the best piece of writing. If it doesn’t work, then go back through the original list and perhaps pick another idea!
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Use the space provided in the test document for prewriting, but remember, it will not be scored! Don’t forget to write your final copy in your answer document! Double check this step!
 Write well on both prompts! Remember, each prompt is worth 18 points! That’s huge! You could pass just by writing two great prompt responses! But it will be difficult to pass with only one great prompt response!
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After you are finished writing your responses to the writing prompts, reread the question and make sure you answered what it asked!
Know the following reading terms:
Figurative language – a tool used by authors to make writing more meaningful; words and phrases aren’t taken literally. Examples:
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Simile – a comparison of two seemingly unlike things using like or as
Example - The dog’s fur was as black as midnight .
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Metaphor – a comparison of two things without using like or as; it just IS that thing
Example - Her fingernails were ten sparkling rubies.
 Hyperbole – extreme exaggeration, usually used for humor
Example – I’ve told you a million times . . . or His mouth was the size of the Grand Canyon .

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Onomatopoeia – words that sound like the sound they represent; Ex: boom, drip, click
 Repetition – a phrase or word used several times for emphasis
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Personification – giving human qualities to a non-human thing; Ex: animals talking
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Euphemism – a phrase that replaces a possibly more-offensive one
Example – saying “vertically challenged” instead of short
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Symbol – where something in a story really represents something else
Example – the mockingbird represents an innocent victim
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Analogy – a comparison based on similarities in some ways, but maybe not others
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Foreshadowing – a hint of something to come in a story
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Flashback – an author’s tool to explain something that happened in the past by having a character remember a situation or incident previous to the present one in the story
Other reading terms:
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Point of view – the angle from which the story is told; first person = character in the story; third person = outside narrator
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Fact – a statement that can be proven; many times includes numbers or statistics
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Opinion – a statement that can be supported, but not proven; something arguable
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Style – a writer’s unique way of telling or informing; may be flowery, factual, etc.
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Plot – the action of the story; consists of an introduction, rising action, climax (high or turning point of action), falling action, conclusion
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Setting – when and where the story occurs; not just time, but also place
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Character – a person/animal in the story, may be major or minor

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Theme – literary term for main idea; examples include love, people and nature, people and society, good vs. evil, coming of age – there are others, but remember, they are general and can apply to other situations, not just that story
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Propaganda – information that is spread to support a cause; examples are glittering generality, name-calling, card stacking, bandwagon, plain folks, testimonial, transfer – its purpose is to create an emotional connection between message and reader/listener; think of commercials!
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Graphics – used to illustrate information; can be bar graphs, pie graphs, line graphs, or some other visual aid. Read these and details around them in titles, etc. carefully for complete and accurate information.
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Compare – to show how ideas or objects are alike or similar
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Contrast – to show how ideas or objects are different
Reading Test-Taking Tips :
 Read test selections carefully! Don’t just skim – read to understand!
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Use text to support your answers on short answer and extended response! Revisit the text after you read to find facts. This is basically an open-book test!
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Write complete answers in complete sentences to short answer and extended response questions! These are worth two and four points each!
 Many times, the questions refer you back to a specific place in the passage! Go there! Take advantage of the hint! Even if you know the answer, look anyway!
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If the passage is long, read the questions first to focus your reading!
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If you need to, use a pencil or your finger to point to lines of text as you read to keep focused. Circle or underline key words or phrases in questions.
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Reread any paragraph that is difficult to understand.
 You have plenty of time to take this test, so take breaks if you feel you’re not focusing! Sharpen your pencil, blow your nose, or whatever works to refocus your efforts!

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On short answer and extended response, use your best handwriting – print or cursive!
Don’t let them judge you on your lack of neatness!
 Organize your prewriting – brainstorm! Use this as your chance to pick your best ideas and include them in your final short answer or extended response.
General Tips for OGT test taking :
 Get a good night’s sleep the night before all tests.
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Eat a good breakfast the morning of all tests. Give yourself plenty of time!
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Take the test seriously!
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Have a good attitude! You CAN do this! And you want to do it in one shot!
 Answer ALL questions! You won’t get points for blanks, but you might if you guess!
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Make sure you darken the right circle on the answer sheet on multiple choice questions. Go back and double check if you have time left at the end.
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Eliminate obviously wrong answers before guessing!
 Take deep breaths or use other relaxation techniques if nervous!
Vocabulary Tips:
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mono – one (monotone); uni – one (uniform); bi – two (bicycle); di – two (divorce); tri – three (trio); quad – four (quadrangle); quint – five (quintet); pent – five
(pentagon)
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Put some together: contradict = contra means opposite, dict means to speak, so contradict means to disagree or say the opposite! antonym = ant means opposite, onym means name, so antonym means a word that is opposite anonymous = a means not, onym means name, ous means having the quality of, so anonymous means one who is not named