Literacy Blitz: Short Responses

Open Response and Short Writing Tasks

Short Responses

There are two types of short responses:

1. Open Responses

2. Short Writing Tasks

Let’s start with Open Responses…

Open Responses (Typically 1-2 on the OSSLT)

• Open responses are based on a specific reading selection. First, you must carefully read the selection.

• Your reading selection will typically be one of the following: an information paragraph, a news report, or a dialogue.

• After you read the selection, you will write a response that demonstrates reading comprehension with supporting ideas or specific examples from the reading you just did.

Must read

carefully!

Open Responses

• On the next slide, you will see an example of a dialogue reading selection from the sample online OSSLT.

• (By the way, have you visited the EQAO website to try out the sample online OSSLT? If not, this is your reminder!)

• When we get to the next slide, take note of the 4 important highlighted points that can help you with your reading comprehension and writing.

Make note of any images that are provided as this will give you a hint as to what you are about to read.

Lines are numbered to help you understand who is “speaking” in the dialogue.

Once you’ve read the reading selection, read the question in the response area before you begin typing your response.

1

3

2

Make sure you use the ‘notepad’ tool so you can organize and plan your answer before you begin writing.

4

P-P-A: Point-Proof-Analysis – FIRST Reminder

• Think back to your Suzuki English class from grade 9…

• Point-Proof-Analysis is a great tool to help you structure your paragraphs, so make sure you use this when writing your responses.

POINT The first sentence should be a clear topic sentencethat tells the reader what the paragraph is about.

PROOF Detailed proof (either from the reading selection or your experience) that supports the topic sentence.

ANALYSIS Expand - you must explain how your proof helps develop your argument and explains your point.

Use P-P-A!

So we understand Open Responses now?

GREAT!

Let’s move on to Short Writing Tasks…

Short Writing (Typically 1-2 on the OSSLT)

• Short Writing Tasks involve answering a question by using your own knowledge and personal life experiences.

• Each answer requires clear topic development with specific and relevant information from your life.

• Each answer also needs to demonstrate competent control of conventions (syntax - creating well-formed sentences, grammar, spelling, punctuation), so make sure you review and proofread your answers at the end.

Short Writing Tips

Every written response section

has a character limit – if you are

too short in your answer, you will

lose marks, but if you try to go

over the character limit, you will

be cut off!

Short Writing Tips

Always review and

edit your responses

at the end.

Remember: syntax,

grammar, spelling,

and punctuation

count!

If you skip a question,

make sure you go back

to answer it at the

end.

Use appropriate content

and language in your

written responses – be

aware of your audience -

If you are stuck and are

having trouble thinking of

what to write, leave it for

the time-being and move on

to the next question.

Short Writing

• On the next slide, you will see an example of a short writing task from the sample online OSSLT.

• (By the way, have you visited the EQAO website to try out the sample online OSSLT? If not, this is your reminder!)

• When we get to the next slide, take note of the 2 important highlighted points that can help you with your reading comprehension and writing.

1

3

Read the writing task carefully before you begin.

Once you open the notepad tool, use this space to make rough notes to organize your ideas before you begin typing out your answer.

Don’t forget to use the notepad tool on the top right-hand corner of the test.

2

P-P-A: Point-Proof-Analysis – SECOND Reminder

• Think back to your Suzuki English class from grade 9…

• Point-Proof-Analysis is a great tool to help you structure your paragraphs, so make sure you use this when writing your responses.

POINT The first sentence should be a clear topic sentencethat tells the reader what the paragraph is about.

PROOF Detailed proof (either from the reading selection or your experience) that supports the topic sentence.

ANALYSIS Expand - you must explain how your proof helps develop your argument and explains your point.

Use P-P-A!

On the next several slides, you will be shown examples of both UNSUCCESSFUL and SUCCESSFUL responses to the same open response and same short writing task questions.

Take note of what is missing (P-P-A) in some cases, and read through the ‘Annotation’ for each sample to discover why the response was given that score.

Open Response Example 1

• An UNSUCCESSFUL written response

Point Proof

Analysis

What’s the

reasoning for

this score?

Open Response Example 2

• A SUCCESSFUL written response

Point Proof

Analysis

What’s the

reasoning for

this score?

Short Writing Task Example 1

• An UNSUCCESSFUL response

Point Proof

Analysis

What’s the

reasoning for

this score?

Short Writing Task Example 2

• A SUCCESSFUL response

Point Proof

Analysis

What’s the

reasoning for

this score?

Short Writing Task Example 3

• An UNSUCCESSFUL response - writing conventions

What’s the

reasoning for

this score?

Short Writing Task Example 4

• A SUCCESSFUL response - writing conventions

What’s the

reasoning for

this score?

Practice Questions for Home

• Identify one action you take in your daily life to be healthy. Use specific details to explain how this action contributes to your health.

• Suggest one improvement that could be made to your school building or its grounds. Use specific details to explain why it would be an improvement.

• What is the best advice you have ever given to someone? Use specific details to explain your answer.

• Identify the ideal destination for a high school field trip. Explain your choice with specific details.

So now we understand both Open Responses AND Short Writing Tasks. Phew!

Now it’s time for you to explore the online OSSLT sample tests at home and prepare yourself for the

test. It is one week away!

Until tomorrow…