COMMON MIS

TAKES…

RE

MI N

DE

RS

FO

R T

HE

8T

H GR

AD

E W

RI T

I NG

TE

ST

!

ATTACK THE PROMPT!

Read the prompt several timesPay attention to genrePay attention to formatPay attention to audience

Use time wisely

Stay on topic

Consider the length

Indent paragraphs and DO NOT skip lines

DO NOT advertise what you are going to do

GENERAL

Pronoun antecedent agreement

Avoid using ‘a lot.’ It is often misspelled.

DO NOT use slang, abreviations, or texting formats! Write using proper English. (Examples: Gonna, cause, &, #, wanna, dude, the guy…)

Its, it’s

Avoid using contractions (you’re, can’t…Spell ‘cannot’ as one word!)

Be careful about using ‘if’ when you should use ‘whether.’ (Wrong: I do not know if this is true. Right: I do not know whether this is true.)

Their, they’re, there

Your, you’re

Then, than

Misconnecting verbs: (Wrong: We should try and change the law. Right: We should try to change the law.)

GRAMMAR/USAGE

Add relevant details (explain…)

Use sentence variety

Use variety of words (synonyms and vocabulary)

Use semi-colons and colons

Transitions (additionally, next, furthermore, consequently…)

INCREASE SCORES

SEMI-COLONS ;

Use semi-colons correctly

Should connect two independent clauses. A semi-colon should connect two sentences where a period could also go.

Example: I went to the store; however, she chose to stay at home.

DO NOT capitalize the first word following a semi-colon

Colons should be used for a list

APOSTROPHES AFTER S

To show plural possession (Example: The boys’ hats)

Examples:

1. The classes’ opinions were predictable according to their grade levels.2. The lasses’ clothing differed according to their sewing skills.3. The lass’s clothing showed her sewing skills.4. The class’s suggestion to go to the science museum was approved by the teacher.5. The Joneses’ house survived the flood.6. The Crosses’ dog bit the mailman.7. The Smiths’ boat sank.8. Alex’s rooster woke us up at dawn.