Conventions
Essays
Planning Page
Controlling Idea
FSA Q and A
100
These 3 commonly confused spelling words sound similar and begin with a 'w'.
What is WERE, WHERE and WE'RE? (Now write each one of them in a sentence).
100
Before you begin writing EACH paragraph of your essay, it might be helpful to set your thumb down horizontally on the line to the right of the margin to give you an idea of the appropriate spacing needed to create this essential beginning-of-the-paragraph convention feature.
What is an INDENTED PARAGRAPH?
100
One of these words, beginning with an 'I' or an 'O', should be circled in the prompt and then written on your planning page to prove you know what type of an essay you were asked to write.
What are the clue words 'informative' (information) or 'opinion'.
100
The three sources your will read discuss the pros and cons as to whether or not students should be able to wear hats to school. What is your opinion on this topic? Use evidence from the sources to support your opinion.
What is: It is my opinion that students should be able to wear hats at school. OR... It is my opinion that students should not be able to wear hats at school.
100
This is how much time he will have during the test.
What is TWO HOURS?
200
A basic capitalization rule you learned in Kindergarten is to ALWAYS capitalize this 1-letter word used when referring to yourself, no matter where that 1-letter word is located in the sentence.
What is the word 'I' ? ALWAYS CAPITALIZED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
200
According to the FSA Writing rubric, I earn a maximum of 4 points when I include in paragraphs 2 and 3 these two components which support and make clear the reason or point I am making (based on the prompt).
What are EVIDENCE and ELABORATION?
200
This essential sentence must be written on your planning page and referred back to all throughout your essay writing to make sure that you are staying on topic. It should also appear in your Introduction paragraph AND in your CLOSING paragraph.
What is the CONTROLLING IDEA?
200
The three texts you will read discuss how humans can reduce their carbon footprint on the planet by being aware of how our choices affect the environment. Use the text to inform the reader about how an individual's choices affect the environment.
What is: Humans can reduce their carbon footprint on the planet by being aware of how our choices affect the environment.
200
This is how many minutes of a break you will be given at your desk during the test to stand and stretch your legs.
What is a 3-minute break?
300
These commonly confused homonym words beginning with the letter 'T' have to be studied in order to not carelessly spell them incorrectly.
What are TO, TOO and TWO? OR... What are THEY'RE, THEIR and THERE? (Now write each one of them in a sentence).
300
This sentence, which you should have already written on your planning page after reading the prompt, must be included in the introduction paragraph AND the conclusion paragraph.
What is the CONTROLLING IDEA?
300
What should you draw and use to organize your ideas when planning your essay?
What is a GRAPHIC ORGANIZER?
300
The three sources discuss the benefits of eating a good breakfast before school. Think about whether or not you think this would be beneficial and why and share your opinion. Use evidence from the sources to support your opinion.
What is: In my opinion it would be beneficial to eat breakfast in the morning before school. OR... In my opinion, it would not be beneficial to eat breakfast in the morning before school.
300
I will have the same type of FSA writing test in both 4th and fifth grade, true or false?
What is TRUE?
400
When proofreading your essay, always make sure to check every sentence at the beginning AND at the end to ensure that you have these two conventional items.
What are CAPITALS at the beginning of each sentence and PUNCTUATION (END MARK) at the end of each sentence?
400
This writing device such must be included in your essay in order to connect your sentences and paragraphs together so that your essay flows in a logical manner.
What are TRANSITIONS? Now, write down examples on your dry erase board.
400
Is the planning page part of your FSA writing testing booklet or is it a separate piece of paper?
What is A SEPARATE PIECE OF PAPER?
400
Texting or taking selfies while driving can lead to death. The three souces you will read share scenarios and data of one of the leading killers of young drivers and others. Use the text to write information about how texting or taking selfies while driving can lead to the death of young drivers and others. Use information and statistics from the text to support this claim.
What is: Statistics show that texting or taking selfies while driving can lead to the death of young drivers and others.
400
The day and date of your FSA writing test?
What is Tuesday, February 28, 2017?
500
In order to have the necessary sentence variety in an essay, writers should include these basic 4 types of sentences.
What are DECLARATIVE, EXCLAMATORY, INTERROGATIVE and IMPERATIVE sentences?
500
According to the rubric, I can earn a maximum of 4-points for these three categories which prove that my essay is on topic AND written in the correct order, with all the parts of the essay in the right place.
What is PURPOSE, FOCUS and ORGANIZATION?
500
These headers should be used to label three of the sections of your planning page graphic organizer.
What are SOURCE 1, SOURCE 2 and SOURCE 3?
500
This phrase is used to explain the process of deciding what controlling idea to right based on the prompt that is provided.
What is UNPACKING THE PROMPT?
500
My FSA writing test score will be this percentage of my fourth grade FSA reading grade?
What is 10%?
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