Expository/Argumentative
Unpack the prompt: True or false! Expository key words are explain, inform, and position.
False. You do not take a position in expository writing -just write the facts.
True or false: You do not need a transition between every paragraph and idea.
False.
What is the point of elaboration?
To link your sourced material or evidence back to your thesis/claim/topic sentence to strengthen your thesis.
What is the first thing you should do when taking the FAST Writing Test?
Read everything. Do not annotate, plan, or write until you have read everything at least once.
Should you determine if something is good or bad in expository writing?
You should not. Example: Instead of saying, "Caffeine is bad for you and has many effects." Simply say, "Caffeine has many side effects." Keep it neutral.
True of false: "Source 1 says" is an acceptable citation every time?
False. If the source gives you a proper article title, author and their credentials, Years it was published, page/paragraph numbers, etc., you use all that information in a succinct way to build ethos.
Example: "Harvard Professor of Arts, Dr. Janet Anderson wrote in the 2022 New York Times article, 'Robots are Dumb'....."
Does every piece of sourced evidence need elaboration?
Yes. The elaboration techniques should be varied.
True or False: After editing your essay once, you should double check it before submitting.
True. Great essays are heavily looked over.
Unpack the prompt: True or false! Argumentative key words/phrases are argue, pick a position, decide, and claim?
True
False! Every time you pull sourced information into your essay you have to cite it. Good writers will vary their citation every time they use it.
Example: "Anderson said"
Is elaboration just paraphrasing/summarizing the sourced information?
No. Elaboration is adding context to your sourced information to support your thesis.
True or false: Your top priority for writing should be spelling and grammar.
False! They are grading you harder on structure, citations, elaborations, and thesis/claim than spelling and grammar.
What type of essay is this example, "Robots aren’t smart enough to sense danger and act quick, having frequent use of help from to robots will led humans to depend on robots more, plus they aren’t quick enough with decisions are some reasons3 why scientist should not continue developing advance robots."
Argumentative.
Should you use the same quote or paraphrased information from the same source more than once?
Nope. Your essay should be filled with different quotes from as many different sources as possible.
What is "definition elaboration?"
When you define an uncommon word or subject from the sourced material.
Example: "Artificial intelligence is when something with out emotions or sense of pain can preform tasks freely without human initiation, and this is scary because the robot might not know it is hurting someone."
What POV should you write with?
Third Person Only!!!! (Proper names, he, she, they) Unless you are pulling a direct quote and they use another POV.
What is a counterclaim?
Where the writer addresses the opposition, or the other opinion in the argument, and pokes holes in their logic while avoiding fallacies.
True or False: Chronological is the only type of transition?
False: transitions can be sequential (In addition to, Next, After, Last, Finally, To conclude, etc.) or Cause and Affect (If/Then).
Daily Double!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What is "Descriptive Elaboration?"
Where you paint a picture in the readers mind using the 5 senses. It makes for a great opening sentence.
Example: " Imagine a sixth grader is floating in the community pool, sun is beating on their face, and then they smell rancid sewage and notice a brown glob floating next to them."
What type of graphic organizer/ planning method should you use for your essay?
Whatever makes sense for you! Just organize your sourced information and main ideas before you start writing. All great essays are preplanned.