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FCAT History
Paragraphs and Punctuation and Panic, Oh My!
Thesis Shmeesis
It's Elementary My Dear Rebel
Hodge Podge
100
The FCAT Writes is given in which three grades?
What is 4th, 8th, and 10th grade?
100
True or False? An FCAT Writes essay is only allowed to have five paragraphs.
What is false. There is no set # of body paragraphs.
100
Where does the thesis statement belong in an essay. Be as specific as possible i.e. don't just say which paragraph it goes in. It goes in a certain spot in that paragraph.
What is the middle to end of the introduction. The sentences preceding (before) the thesis should outline what is coming up in the essay so the reader knows what to expect.
100
These words have this name because they are used to move the reader along from one paragraph to the next.
What are transitions
100
What's the first thing you should do after writing your essay?
What is proofread it for 1. Grammar 2. Answers the prompt 3. Contains lots of details and examples-nothing general!
200
Name the three types of possible writing prompts and explain what each means (think back to elementary school).
What is Narrative-a story, Expository-explain, and Persuasive-persuade
200
When listing items or steps in a process during a sentence, you would use this punctuation mark to begin the list.
What is a colon : Example: Juan is shopping for these healthy breakfast items: an apple, Greek yogurt, and whole wheat bagels.
200
Give the definition of a thesis statement.
What is an arguable claim made by a writer about the topic he/she is writing about. Example: Walking for at least thirty minutes everyday is a valuable use of my free time because it prevents childhood obesity and improves memory capacity.
200
What should you do the night before and the morning of the FCAT Writes?
What is get a good night's sleep (9:30-10:00pm at the latest), eat a healthy breakfast (proteins-eggs & meat, fruit/yogurt), and stay positive (no arguments with friends or family).
200
After you sit down in the testing location, what is the first thing you should do?
What is look at the board and listen to the instructor for directions.
300
True or False? The Florida Writes! uses a holistic (overall) scoring method with 1 being the lowest, to a 6 being the highest.
What is true
300
What kind of sentence begins a paragraph? A) Interrogative (Question) B) Declarative (Statement) C) Imperative (Instructions) D) All of the above
What is D) All of the above. Read the essay prompt to determine how to start a paragraph. Sample Prompt: Write about the worst environmental crisis that is affecting your community currently. Sample 1st Sentence: Have you ever wondered what would happen if no one in Jacksonville could depend on the St. Johns River for clean water anymore?
300
True or False? The first step after writing a thesis statement is to double check that it answers the prompt.
What is true. Make sure the thesis answers the question of the prompt and then work on adding more specific details to it.
300
When you get the prompt, what is the first thing you should do?
What is read the prompt carefully, classifying it as persuasive or expository and understand what it is asking you to write about.
300
Why do we spend so much time focusing on writing essays (other than FCAT)?
It will be used in upper grades, college, and you will most likely need to do some type of informational writing in your future career
400
True or False? There are four categories student essays are graded upon. These are focus, organization, support, and spelling.
What is false. Conventions includes spelling, but it also looks at word choice, grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure
400
Why is a concluding paragraph necessary? What purpose does it serve?
What is it summarizes the main points and ideas of the writer and provides an ending point for the reader.
400
How many thesis statements are in an essay?
What is one.
400
What are the two areas that are most heavily emphasized when writing?
What is Support and Conventions (word choice).
400
Before you start writing your essay, what should you do?
What is brainstorm and PLAN what you will write.
500
What year was the FCAT Writes first administered? Hint: One person in this room was in elementary school at the time. A) 1986 B) 1990 C) 1965 D) 1842
What is B) 1990.
500
What punctuation mark separates two complete thoughts/sentences that are related?
What is a semicolon ; Think a half of a colon. Example: I am going home; I intend to stay there
500
Explain the difference between a thesis and a topic sentence.
What is a thesis is found at the end of the first paragraph and summarizes what the essay will be about. A topic sentence is found at the beginning of every body paragraph and tells the reader what the paragraph will be about.
500
How many chances do you get to take the FCAT Writes! or a comparable (similar) test this year?
What is once. This is your moment to shine, so show them you can write!
500
When they say "concrete" or "specific" support, what does that mean?
Answers "what","why",and "how" Includes FRIESS