FSA Steps
What question is the following prompt "asking" you? (turn the prompt into a question)
Write an explanatory essay to inform fellow citizens about the advantages of limiting car usage.
What are the advantages of limiting car usage?
This is how you grammatically signal the beginning of a new paragraph when you are writing.
An indent made by writing two to three spaces in from the margin.
What type of prompt is this?
Write an explanatory essay to inform fellow citizens about the advantages of limiting car usage.
What is informative?
What is the first sentence of each body paragraph that reveals the subject of that paragraph.
Topic Sentence
Remember: this should contain one of the subtopics mentioned in your controlling idea/claim statement.*
This is always the last sentence in your introduction.
Controlling Idea or claim Statement
It's so important because it's like a map to the rest of your essay!
What's the first step you should take during the FSA writing exam?
Read the prompt and determine if it is argumentative or informative essay, and then turn the prompt into a question.
You have this much time to read the prompt, read the sources, plan your essay, and write your essay.
What is 120 minutes?
These types of essays provide an analysis supported by evidence from a set of passages (sources).
Informative AND argumentative?
What phrases help link multiple pieces of evidence in the same paragraph?
Transitions.
This part of the essay should start off broad, introducing basic information related to the general topic of your essay, and becomes more specific as it leads to your controlling idea.
Introduction
Step two of the FSA writing is...?
Draw an I plan and read the sources marking the text for evidence.
All FSA Writing citations should include what inside the parenthesis?
The source, followed by a period.
Example: According to a recent study "vehicle accidents among teens have increased by 6% since 2011, despite stricter laws for obtaining permits" (Source 2).
Argumentative essays must include this element.
Claim statement in the introduction.
After the topic sentence, you should include this to support your claim.
Evidence!
In the form of direct quotes from the text or paraphrasing quotes into your own words.
What is wrong with this introduction?
Why should you care about limiting car usage? It may sound surprising, but America has already reached its peak when it comes to buying cars. More and more people around the globe have begun to realize the benefits of using alternative means of transportation. Places such as Vauban, Bogata, Paris, and even New York have implemented programs to encourage the limited use of cars. The idea of giving up such a comfort may sound tragic at first, but reducing car usage can save the environment and limit stress.
It begins with a question.
DON'T BEGIN WITH A QUESTION!!!!
Step three of the FSA writing is __________.
Write a controlling idea/claim statement
In source one, it says "people who drive over one hundred miles a week are three times more likely to get into an accident than someone who drives less than 25 miles in that same time".
How can you make the transitions smoother?
In source one, the author states "____"
This type of essay communicates straight-forward, fact-based unbiased knowledge (gives no opinion).
Informative?
After evidence from the text is used, the writer then must use this to assert why the evidence is relevant and important to their argument/claim.
Elaboration and explanation.
This is the most important part of your conclusion paragraph.
Restate your controlling idea/claim.
What is the most important part of writing your introduction?
Making sure you answer the prompt and state a claim with an easily identifiable controlling idea that contains 2-3 subtopics.
Limiting car usage and is good for road safety.
Which word should be replaced so the sentence sounds more FSA style?
"Good" Answers will vary.
Rewrite the prompt in a claim statement.
Write to argue whether or not it is acceptable for companies to advertise in schools. Your essay must be based on ideas and information that can be found in the passage set.
Companies should be able to advertise in schools because it can benefit students in many ways.
A way to embed this quote is:
"Some material goods are directly tied to happiness because they enhance experiences" (Source 3).
While most goods become clutter after a few uses, it is important to remember that "some material goods are directly tied to happiness because enhance experiences" (Source 3).
These are the two elements that make a thesis statement.
1. answer the prompt's question
2. introduce each of the subtopics of the body paragraphs