General Info
What day/date is the FSA Writes?
April 2 / Tuesday
What are the two possible types of essays?
Informative/explanatory/expository (that is all the same thing!) OR argumentative.
What comes first in the introduction?
hook / grabber
How many should there be?
2+
usually 3
it truly depends on WHAT is in them
What comes first in the conclusion?
A transition into a restated thesis.
Where will you be testing?
in your assigned rooms
If you are unsure of which type of essay to write, what can you do?
Look for clue words in the prompt - if still unsure, LOOK AT THE DIRECTIONS. Under the prompt it will remind you what to include. If it is argumentative, the directions will mention not to forget a counterclaim and rebuttal :)
You CANNOT ask the teacher which type it is :(
What comes between the hook and the end of the intro?
background information
What is the format of a body paragraph?
Transition, topic sentence. Multiple pieces of evidence with analysis for each. Link / wrap-up sentence.
What comes after the restated thesis in the conclusion?
"touch" on each of your points again, NOTHING new
What supplies do YOU need to bring for the exam?
a CHARGED chromebook - everything else is provided (bring headphones only if that is a testing accommodation that you have been given ahead of time in an IEP/504)
Give two examples of clue words you may see in the prompt that signals an argumentative essay.
possible answers include: argue, defend, whether or not, decide, choose, should, or a ?
What comes at the end of your intro?
thesis / claim
Refer to the author's name
refer to the title
give a source # ONLY if you've given the title and author
Give a paragraph number of the article ONLY if you've named the article
What comes at the end of any conclusion?
A link back to the prompt/thesis, a "think about it" type of sentence, or something to fully wrap up the entire essay.
How long is the test from start to finish?
120 minutes (2 hours) to read, plan, write, revise.
Give two examples of words in a prompt that may signal an informative essay.
possible answers include: inform, explain, describe, show, show how
According to the rubric (you have it - LOOK at it!) the introduction needs to be ______.
satisfying
Name three things that should be in your essay that are best fit for a body paragraph.
possible answers: topic sentences, evidence, analysis, elaboration, links, transitions to connect ideas
According to the rubric (you have it - LOOK at it!) the conclusion needs to be ______.
satisfying
No matter which type of prompt you have, one of the most important parts of any essay is...
acceptable answers: evidence and elaboration OR a strong introduction/thesis/claim
What should you AVOID in an introduction?
possible answers include: too much information, evidence and analysis, a yes/no question as a hook, sound words as a hook
How many pieces of evidence/analysis is "safe" for a body paragraph?
2-3 pieces in each paragraph if you have 3 body paragraphs.
3+ pieces in each paragraph if you have 2 body paragraphs.
Remember they should be from various sources in each paragraph.
Why is a conclusion important?
It completes the whole essay. It shows the reader that the essay has ended.