Mastering the Writing HSPE 2013. There are two types of essays on the Writing HSPE: Expository Persuasive

Mastering the Mastering the Writing HSPEWriting HSPE

Mastering the Mastering the Writing HSPEWriting HSPE

20132013

There are two types of essays on the Writing HSPE:

•Expository

•Persuasive

An expository essay asks you to explain.

SAMPLE EXPOSITORY PROMPT: Most of us have a favorite time of year. What is your favorite time of year? Write a multi-paragraph essay for your teacher explaining what time of year is your favorite and why.

A persuasive essay asks you to convince.

SAMPLE PERSUASIVE PROMPT:Community officials have proposed that individuals under the age of 18 cannot be out after 9 pm unless they are with an adult. Take a position on this proposal. Write a multi-paragraph letter persuading community officials to support your position.

When you encounter a prompt on the Writing HSPE,

you should first check for TAPF:

• TOPIC What are you writing about?

• AUDIENCE Who are you addressing?

• PURPOSE What is the point of writing?

• FORM How will you write?

Look for TAPF in this prompt:

Most of us have a favorite time of year. What is your favorite time of year? Write a multi-paragraph essay for your teacher explaining what time of year is your favorite and why.

What is the TOPIC?Who is the AUDIENCE?

What is the PURPOSE?What is the FORM?

Once you have identified the TAPF, the next step is

to write an outlineoutline. An outline generally looks like this:

ThesisReason 1

Specific Detail(s)Reason 2 Specific Detail(s)Reason 3 Specific Detail(s)

Copy this format leaving 5 line spaces between

each:• Thesis:

– Reason 1 • (Specific Detail/s)



The thesisthesis governs your entire essay as it’s what

you’re arguing or explaining.

Sample expository thesis: The class that is foremost in my memory is sixth grade P.E. with Mr. Fisher.

Sample persuasive thesis: All students should be required to participate on one athletic team in order to graduate.

A three part thesis?

Three Part Thesis• Sample expository thesis: The

class that is foremost in my memory is sixth grade P.E. with Mr. Fisher because he was always positive, he took us on field trips and he inspired me to try out for a team sport.

Three Part Thesis• Sample persuasive thesis: All

students should be required to participate on one athletic team in order to graduate in order to foster life-long health, to hone team working skills and to promote connectedness to a community.

Write a thesisthesis for this prompt:

Most of us have a favorite time of year. What is your favorite time of year? Write a multi-paragraph essay for your teacher explaining what time of year is your favorite and why.

Your reasonsreasons support your thesis. They explain why your thesis matters.

Sample expository reason: One reason Mr. Fisher’s class was memorable was that he had he took us on amazing field trips.

Sample persuasive reason: One reason

students should be required to participate on an athletic team is that many American teenagers are overweight.

Let’s try it:

•Write one reason that supports your thesis.

DetailsDetails are specific examples. They make your writing interesting and give support to your reasons and

your thesis.

Sample expository detail: For example, one day Mr. Fisher took us to a Mariner’s game in Seattle so we could get a feel for how P.E. was relevant to us.

Sample persuasive detail: For example, my cousin Teresa’s doctor is concerned about Teresa’s obesity. She waived P.E. in her high school, and has never played on an athletic team.

Write one detaildetail that supports your reason (and your

thesis).

Complete your outline!

• Three reasons with supporting details listed.

Once you have an organized outline, you can write your

essayessay.

The first paragraph of your essay is the introductionintroduction.

There are many different types of introductions. Some are:

Types of introductionsintroductions:

Analogy Making a comparison between your topic and something else

For example: Parents are like aliens. There is no clear explanation for the way they dress, the way they speak, or the vehicles they cruise around in.


AnecdoteTelling a story that somehow ties in to your topicFor example: When my brother was three, he lost his front tooth in a freak tricycle accident. When I was six, I lost my front tooth the normal way. One day my sister blacked out everyone else’s teeth in the family picture, which made my mom laugh and my dad yell.


DefinitionDefining your topic, or a word that relates to itFor example: Fear: a feeling of disquiet or agitation based on a sense of

danger.


Fact or statisticBringing in data or prior knowledge that relates to your topicFor example: Most tiger victims die swiftly, their necks broken by the jaws of their predator.


Question (the weakest)Asking rhetorically about your topic

For example: Has it ever occurred to legislators that teachers are underpaid?

Now Try It!Using one of the strategies you just learned, write an introductionintroduction paragraph for your favorite season essay.

The next (& most important) part of your essay is the

bodybody.

Each body paragraph should contain:• 1 reason that supports your thesis

(topic sentence).• 1-3 specific details that support

your reason• Explanation of how the details

support your reason.

The final component of your essay is the

conclusionconclusion.

A good conclusion should:• Stress the importance of your thesis• Give the essay a sense of

completeness• Leave a final impression on the

reader

ConclusionConclusion suggestions:

• Include a brief summary of the paper’s main points

• Ask a provocative question• Use a quotation• Evoke a vivid image• Call for some sort of action• End with a warning• Universalize (compare to other situations)• Suggest results or consequences • Refer back to the intro (with

key words or parallel images or concepts)

When you have completed your essay,

take time to proofread!

• Check for spelling and punctuation.

• Be sure that you have used transitions to segue into new reasons or details.(In addition, first, lastly, subsequently, also, etc.)

• Check for sentence variety.

• Watch out for fragments or run-ons.

Once you have written your essay, go back to the checklists to see if

you have covered everything.

Did you miss anything?

Write an outline for the following prompt:

Community officials have proposed that individuals under the age of 18 cannot be out after 9 pm unless they are with an adult. Take a position on this proposal. Write a multi-paragraph letter persuading community officials to support your position.

Essay scoring is based on two factors:

•COS (Content, Organization, Style)

•CON (Conventions)

Your COS score is based on a 4-point

scale.

These are the skills your COS score measures:

•Focus on the topic•Supporting details•Transitions•Strong word choice•Sentence variety•Voice

Your CON score is based on a 2-point

scale. These are the skills your CON score

measures:•Usage•Spelling•Capitalization•Punctuation•Complete sentences•Paragraphs

Your total Writing HSPE score should equal 17/24

or better to pass.

• One expository essay (6 points) graded twice = 12 points

• One persuasive essay (6 points) graded twice = 12 points

HSPE Writing Tips:• DETAILS, DETAILS, DETAILS! Scorers want to

see specific examples to support your ideas.

• Take your time. The HSPE is not a timed test, so there is no need to rush through anything (even if your classmates do).

• You will be provided dictionaries and thesauri to use on the test. Use them to bolster word choice and check spelling.

Past Prompts and Guides

• http://www.k12.wa.us/Writing/Assessment/AnnotationsHighSchool.aspx

The Writing HSPE takes place on the following dates:

• March 12, 13, 14 2013

• If you are not present on the day of the test, you are not eligible to pass.

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Mastering the Writing HSPE 2013. There are two types of essays on the Writing HSPE: Expository Persuasive