GHSGWT GHSGWT LessonLesson

Peachtree Ridge High SchoolPeachtree Ridge High School

Don’t let this happen to you! Be

prepared for the Georgia High School Graduation

Writing Test!

Overview of the GHSGTOverview of the GHSGT

100 minutes- brainstorming, drafting, 100 minutes- brainstorming, drafting, editing, & revision (final draft in pen)editing, & revision (final draft in pen)

Persuasive Prompt- you need a clear Persuasive Prompt- you need a clear opinion supported by multiple concrete opinion supported by multiple concrete detailsdetails

May take various formats depending on May take various formats depending on the prompt: letter, speech, essay, etcthe prompt: letter, speech, essay, etc

2 raters will grade you on 4 domains2 raters will grade you on 4 domains

POP QUIZ!POP QUIZ!

Which of these domains of the GHSG Which of these domains of the GHSG Writing Test will be the most important (i.e. Writing Test will be the most important (i.e. worth the most amount of points!)?worth the most amount of points!)?

A. IdeasA. Ideas

B. OrganizationB. Organization

C. Style C. Style

D. ConventionsD. Conventions

And the winner is.... And the winner is.... IDEAS IDEAS (40%)(40%)

Stay controlled and focusedStay controlled and focused

Support your ideas with DETAILS and Support your ideas with DETAILS and make your details relevantmake your details relevant

Create depth in your development of ideasCreate depth in your development of ideas

Be aware of your persuasive purposeBe aware of your persuasive purpose

Show a sense of completionShow a sense of completion

Make the move from general to specificMake the move from general to specific

Pop Quiz!Pop Quiz!

Indicate whether the following details are: Indicate whether the following details are:

(a)(a)General General

(b) Specific(b) Specific

1.1. The storm was violent.The storm was violent.

2.2. The death penalty is wrong and unjust.The death penalty is wrong and unjust.

3.3. Homework is horrible and should be Homework is horrible and should be banned in schoolsbanned in schools

How to Make Your Writing How to Make Your Writing More Specific...More Specific...

Use personal examples or specific Use personal examples or specific hypothetical situations that illustrate your hypothetical situations that illustrate your pointpoint

Use an abundance of meaningful Use an abundance of meaningful adjectives, adverbs, vivid verbs, sensory adjectives, adverbs, vivid verbs, sensory language, and imagerylanguage, and imagery

Use evidence to back up your claimsUse evidence to back up your claims

SHOW, don’t tell!SHOW, don’t tell!

Propose specific solutions/alternatives to fix Propose specific solutions/alternatives to fix the problemthe problem

Helpful Rhetorical DevicesHelpful Rhetorical DevicesAnecdoteAnecdote- a small story (usually in the intro) to - a small story (usually in the intro) to illustrate (not prove!) a point. illustrate (not prove!) a point.

ImageryImagery (descriptive language) (descriptive language)

EthosEthos- appeal to ethics- appeal to ethics

PathosPathos- appeal to emotion- appeal to emotion

LogosLogos- appeal to logic - appeal to logic

Figurative LanguageFigurative Language- similes, metaphors and - similes, metaphors and personification (be creative and make sure they personification (be creative and make sure they make sense!)make sense!)

Rhetorical QuestionsRhetorical Questions

The The

KEY toKEY to

IDEAS!IDEAS!

Controlling Idea (Focus)

Relevant Supporting Ideas

Major Details

Specific ExamplesAnd Elaboration

Key for DoD Samples:Key for DoD Samples:

Blue= Relevant Blue= Relevant Supporting IdeaSupporting Idea

Red= Major DetailsRed= Major Details

Green= Specific Details Green= Specific Details and Examplesand Examples

Ideas: Score Point 2Ideas: Score Point 2The United States government has spent billions

of dollars on the space program for over 25 years. That needs to stop. The first reason this needs to stop is there have been problems with the space program. The second reason this needs to stop is, there are really important issues to deal with in the U.S. and across the world.

The first reason this needs to stop is there have been problems with the space program. For one, it is really expensive. Secondly, it is not really safe. There have been two major accidents and lives lost. So, the program needs to stop because there are many problems with it.

The second reason this needs to stop is, there are really important issues to deal with in the U.S. and across the world. A fact we can not forget is that America is at war on two fronts. Plus, there is the constant threat of another terrorist attack. Also, let’s not forget the people in America who are hungry and don’t have homes. There are many important problems we need to deal with instead of sending people to space.

So, I think we need to stop funding space travel. Remember, there are many problems with the space program. Secondly, there are really important issues we need to address here at home. Thanks for reading my letter.

Ideas: Score Point 3Ideas: Score Point 3The United States government has been funding billions of dollars to

the space program for over 25 years, and I believe that that needs to stop. For one, there have been problems with the space program. Two, there are really important issues to deal with in the U.S. and across the world. I am asking you to redirect funding for space exploration into other programs.

In the past 25 years, the space program’s main vehicle for transportation to outer space has been the space shuttle. Now though, there are problems with it. For one, it is really expensive. Secondly, it is not really safe. Until we can fix these problems, I think it would be getter to spend this money elsewhere.

If funding isn’t going to the space program, it needs to be going to fund more pressing issues. A fact we can not forget is that America is at war on two fronts. Plus, there is the constant threat of another terrorist attack. Also, let’s not forget the people in America who are hungry and don’t have homes. There are many problems in our country we need to solve before sending the next group of astronauts to the moon.

Finally, there is the energy and oil situation. It is getting tough for people to afford gasoline. The government really needs to fund the research and development of new and cheaper alternatives to oil. For example, we should invest money in biodiesel technology and cleaner, wind and solar power.

I am unhappy about where government funding has been going, especially when it comes to the space program. In the past years, the space program has had many problems. The money could be better spent on keeping America safe and finding new energy sources.

Ideas: Score Point 4Ideas: Score Point 4Would you continue to fund something that was basically

failing? The American space program has been filled with problems, and we have really important issues to address here on Earth. For this reason, I believe we should redirect the funds.

In the past 25 years, the space programs main vehicle for transportation to outer space has been the space shuttle. Now though, I feel it is becoming obsolete. There have been serious failures with the space program. For example, there were the explosions of the Challenger lift off, and more recently with the Columbia re-entry. Both of these disasters cost the lives of the crews on board. The lost shuttles also cost the taxpayers millions.

If funding isn’t going to the space program, it needs to be going to fund more pressing issues. A fact we can not forget is that America is at war on two fronts. How can we spend money on space when all of our troops don’t have adequate supplies? Plus, there is the constant threat of another terrorist attack. We need to bring our troops home and keep America safe from people who want to harm us. Let’s not have another September 11, 2001.

Finally, there is the energy and oil situation. It is getting tough for people to afford gasoline. The government really needs to fund the research and development of new and cheaper alternatives to oil. For example, we should invest money in biodiesel technology, in addition to wind and solar power. Not only are these sources cheaper, but they are also cleaner.

By now, I hope it is plain to see what needs to be done. Don’t get me wrong: space is cool, and we benefit from exploring it. It’s just that our current program is filled with problems, and we have serious concerns to address here on Earth. Let’s get to work!

Ideas: Score Point 5Ideas: Score Point 5 The United States government has been funding billions of dollars

to the space program for over 25 years, and I believe that that needs to stop. Because of recent failures involving the space program, and more specifically the space shuttle, and also with more pressing domestic and foreign relations issues at hand, I am asking you to redirect funding for space exploration into other programs.

In the past 25 years, the space programs main vehicle for transportation to outer space has been the space shuttle. Now though, I feel it is becoming obsolete. There have been two major failures with the explosions of the Challenger lift off, and more recently with the Columbia re-entry. Both of these disasters cost a lot of money, and more importantly, the lives of the crews on board. If there is not an alternative to the shuttle, I don’t see how we can continue to safely and successfully reap the benefits of space exploration.

If funding isn’t going to the space program, it needs to be going to fund more pressing issues. A fact we can not forget is that America is at war on two fronts, in Iraq and with terrorism. Troops in Iraq should not be going without adequate body armor so that astronauts can gaze at moon rocks. Let’s not forget about protecting the homeland from another terrorist attack. The Department of Homeland security needs adequate funding in order to catch the terrorists who could be planning future attacks. The last thing our country needs is another September 11, 2001 while we’re dealing with the Great Recession.

Ideas: Score Point 5 (cont.)Ideas: Score Point 5 (cont.)My final plea in asking you to redirect your funds

concerns what I believe is the issue in the most dire and immediate need of attention and that is this countries energy and oil situation. It has come to the point that your average American family is having trouble financially with heating their homes and fueling their cars. The government really needs to fund the research and development of new and cheaper alternatives to oil. For example, we should invest money in biodiesel technology and cleaner, wind and solar power generation. These energy sources are not only cheaper; they are renewable and do not impact or pollute our environment with CO2 emission.

I am unhappy about where government funding has been going, especially when it comes to the space program. In the past years, the space program has had notable failures with only modest successes. Given the many challenges confronting our world, I believe the time is now to think seriously about redirecting NASA’s funds. Your next generation of voters will thank you.

Common Ways to Achieve DoDCommon Ways to Achieve DoD

Appeal to Facts/InformationAppeal to Facts/Information

Appeal to EmotionAppeal to Emotion

Personal ExperiencePersonal Experience

Humor (get ‘em laughing)Humor (get ‘em laughing)

Let’s Analyze the Rubrics!Let’s Analyze the Rubrics!

Aim for Exceeds!!! Aim for Exceeds!!! The highest score The highest score

in any category is a in any category is a 5. 5.

3= Average3= Average

Persuasive and on topicPersuasive and on topic

Provides some examples to support ideas Provides some examples to support ideas and persuadeand persuade

Information is very GENERAL (few Information is very GENERAL (few specifics)specifics)

Does not use a variety of specifics, facts, Does not use a variety of specifics, facts, emotions, figurative languageemotions, figurative language

5= EXCEEDS5= EXCEEDS

Is PASSIONATELY persuasive, explores Is PASSIONATELY persuasive, explores the topic fullythe topic fully

Provides multiple specific examples with Provides multiple specific examples with facts, relevant personal experiencesfacts, relevant personal experiences

Information shows depth of knowledgeInformation shows depth of knowledge

Shows logical, effective organization of Shows logical, effective organization of thoughtsthoughts

Domain 2: Organization (20%)Domain 2: Organization (20%)

Brainstorm first so your ideas are focusedBrainstorm first so your ideas are focused

Group Ideas within paragraphs and include Group Ideas within paragraphs and include topic sentencestopic sentences

Transition between ideas, sentences and Transition between ideas, sentences and paragraphs (study lists of transitional words)paragraphs (study lists of transitional words)

Introduction HOOKS the readerIntroduction HOOKS the reader

Conclusion provides a sense of closure Conclusion provides a sense of closure without repetitionwithout repetition

Thought-provoking QuestionsThought-provoking Questions

Setting the stage for the body of the paperSetting the stage for the body of the paper

Anecdote (Imagine if....)Anecdote (Imagine if....)

Directly address the readerDirectly address the reader

Address the counterpointAddress the counterpoint

Compelling Statement or QuotationCompelling Statement or Quotation

More Effective IntrosMore Effective Intros

Questions for the reader to onsiderQuestions for the reader to onsider

Summary of key points without Summary of key points without

repetitionrepetition

Reminder of personal connections the Reminder of personal connections the reader has to the topicreader has to the topic

Compelling Statement or QuotationCompelling Statement or Quotation

More Effective ConclusionsMore Effective Conclusions

Domain 3: Style (20%)Domain 3: Style (20%)Use precise language and vary your sentence Use precise language and vary your sentence types. Avoid similar sentence beginningstypes. Avoid similar sentence beginnings

Show awareness of your audience and control Show awareness of your audience and control in your tonein your tone

Focus on diction (word choice)Focus on diction (word choice)

Carefully craft your phrases and make your Carefully craft your phrases and make your language engaginglanguage engaging

Use figurative language (and even humor Use figurative language (and even humor when appropriate!)when appropriate!)

Descriptive Word ChoiceDescriptive Word Choice

Gives the reader a clearer sense of your ideas…works well with appeals to facts/information

Simple

The first reason this needs to stop is there have been problems with the space program. For one, it is really expensive. Secondly, it is not really safe.

Descriptive

The shuttle program not only costs taxpayers billions, but it is also dangerous There have been serious failures in recent years. For example, there were the explosions of the Challenger lift off, and more recently with the Columbia re-entry.

Figurative Word ChoiceFigurative Word Choice

Allows you to emphasize a point in a humorous or dramatic way

Simple

UGA’s team line is pretty big

Figurative

Florida’s defense will find it tricky breaking through the five concrete barriers protecting Matthew Stafford.

Domain 4: Conventions (20%)Domain 4: Conventions (20%)

SpellingSpelling

PunctuationPunctuation

Verb tensesVerb tenses

Subject/Verb agreementSubject/Verb agreement– Ex: A pencil and an eraser Ex: A pencil and an eraser makesmakes writing writing

easier. easier. Correct?Correct?

CapitalizationCapitalization

Paragraph indentationParagraph indentation

Conventions

Sentence Correctness

Sentence Clarity

Sentence Complexity

End Punctuation

Subject-Verb Agreement

Word Forms

Verb Tenses

Internal Punctuation

Spelling

Paragraph Breaks

Capitalization

Grading ActivityGrading Activity

In your group you will examine five essays to In your group you will examine five essays to determine the awarded score in each of the determine the awarded score in each of the four areas. Look for specific rhetorical four areas. Look for specific rhetorical devices and DoD. devices and DoD.

–IdeasIdeas–OrganizationOrganization–Style Style –ConventionsConventions

Wrap Up: Advice for Next Wrap Up: Advice for Next Week’s GroupWeek’s Group