Renn Edenfield, FCAT Writing Specialist Fall 2008 FCAT Writing Mode Matters

Renn Edenfield, FCAT Writing Specialist Fall 2008

FCAT WritingMode Matters


The prompt should

• present a topic in a format that serves to encourage, stimulate, and evoke a written response;

• appeal to the greatest number of students possible; and

• present the intended purpose for writing (mode).

What is the purpose of a prompt?


Narrative Writing (Grade 4)

The unmistakable purpose of this type of writing is to recount a personal or fictional experience based on a real or imagined event and to create a central theme or impression in the reader’s mind.

• Goal – use of insight, creativity, drama, suspense, humor, or fantasy to develop an identifiable story line (one that is easy to follow and paraphrase) through use of events and details that work together


MODE MATTERS!What’s the PURPOSE?

Narrative Writing

• Recounts a personal or fictional experience

• Tells a story

• Creates a central theme or impression; develops an identifiable story line (easy to follow and paraphrase)


Narrative Prompt Specifications

• The prompt should tell the student the subject (topic) and the purpose for writing.

• Cue terms in narrative prompts – write about a time, tell what happened when, or write a story about

• Term to avoid - why (tends to elicit exposition)


Example of a Narrative Prompt

(Writing Situation:)Everyone has done something that he or she will remember.

(Directions for Writing:)Think about a time you did something that you will always remember.Now write a story about the time you did something that you will always remember.


Grades 4, 8, and 10 Expository Writing

The unmistakable purpose of this type of writing is to inform, clarify, explain, define, or instruct.

• Goal – carefully crafted presentation of facts, examples, or definitions that create a clear, central focus and enhance the reader’s understanding; although objective (not dependent on emotion), often lively, engaging, and reflective of writer’s commitment to the topic


Expository Prompt Specifications

• The prompt should tell the student the subject (topic) and the purpose for writing.

• Cue terms to use in expository prompts – why, how, or what


Grades 8 and 10 Persuasive Writing

The unmistakable purpose of this type of writing is to convince the reader that a point of view is valid and/or that the reader should take a specific action.

• Goal – clearly stated topic, issue, or opinion with elaboration that indicates the writer’s understanding and conviction; writer may refute counterarguments to clarify the position


Persuasive Prompt Specifications• The prompt should tell the student the subject (topic),

audience, and the purpose for writing.

• Cue terms in persuasive prompts – convince, persuade, and why

• Avoid using how - (tends to elicit exposition or narration)

• Persuasive prompts should avoid writing to an audience of friends/peers (tends to elicit extremely informal writing, such as text messages and abbreviated language)

Documents

Renn Edenfield, FCAT Writing Specialist Fall 2008 FCAT Writing Mode Matters