WASL Writing Tips

Tips for WASL Writing

Prepared by your K-6 Literacy Team

4th Grade WASL Writing

You will participate in two days of writing.

One day you will be asked to write a narrative – to “tell a story.”

One day you will be asked to write an expository – an “explain” piece.

Narrative Writing Should:

Include a beginning, middle, and end. Include story elements – characters,

setting, problem, events, and solution. Be entertaining to your reader. Be easy for your reader to follow the

story events. Make sure the events occur in sequence and are connected to the story elements.

How Will I Make My Story “Very Good?”

Your story will be “very good” if you have thoughtful and specific content and organize your writing.

Let’s look at the Checklist for Writing Stories on the document camera to identify what qualities will make your story “very good.”

A Sample Narrative Prompt

In your classroom there is a closet your teacher never opens. One day you open it. In several paragraphs, write a story telling what happens.

What is the topic? Who is the audience? What is the purpose? In what format will you write?

Expository Writing Should:

Be focused on a topic you know a lot about!

Be supported by reasons, details, examples, and experiences to

“tell more” about your topic.

Be organized with an introduction, middle, and conclusion.

How Will I Make My Expository Writing “Very Good?”

Your writing will be “very good” if you have thoughtful and specific content and organize your writing.

Let’s look at the Checklist for Expository Writing on the document camera to identify what qualities will make your writing “very good.”

A Sample Expository Prompt

Think of an object that means a lot to you. In several paragraphs for your teacher, identify the object and explain why it is important to you.

What is the topic? Who is the audience? What is the purpose?

In what format will you write?

Prewriting Is A Great Idea!

Be sure to select a topic that you know a lot about.

Take time to plan what details you want to include in your story or your expository writing.

Make sure you have enough details to fully “tell your story” or “explain your ideas.”

Prewriting

Choose a method for prewriting that works best for YOU!

It’s Time To Write

Be sure to refer to your prewriting plan. This will keep your writing focused, detailed, and organized.

Write from the heart! Use your creativity and imagination

in your story. Use your knowledge and personal experiences in your expository.

I’m Done Writing, Now What?

This is the time to reread your writing and consider these questions:

Does my writing make sense? Will my reader have any questions that I

haven’t answered in my writing? Have I thoroughly explained my ideas? What can I revise, add, or change? Have I done my very best work?

Do One More Check!

Go back to the Writing Checklist in your booklet. Carefully review and consider if your writing includes each quality listed.

This is one last time, to reread and make any final changes in your writing.

What Score Do I Think My Writing Will Earn?

Content, Organization, and Style (COS) can earn as many as 4 points on your narrative and 4 points on your expository.

Conventions (CON) can earn as many as 2 points on your narrative and 2 points on your expository.

The Writing Checklist reviews the qualities your writing needs for COS and CON. Take a look!

Happy Writing!

Have fun!

Show what you know about creating great writing!

This Presentation Was Prepared For You

By Puyallup School District’s K-6 Literacy Team:

Susan Templin, K-1st

Louis Tibbs, 2nd – 3rd Nancy Spane, 4th Patti Nance, 5th Kris Njos, 6th