Writing
To enhance their skills in each writing-related strand, students who score in the 3–4 score range may benefit from activities that encourage them to do the following:
| Score Range 3–4 |
| Expressing Judgments |
- generate a list of issues, then practice restating them clearly and precisely with original wording
- practice generating possible positions on an issue
- identify and discuss reasons for selecting one position on an issue over others
- choose a position on an issue and state it clearly
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| Focusing on the Topic |
- ask who, what, when, where, and especially why of the topic to establish clear focus for the essay
- learn to recognize when an essay wanders away from its topic
- critique writing in peer workshops to identify any ideas that are obviously off the main point of the essay
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| Developing a Position |
- read a variety of model persuasive essays
- recognize that essays are composed of ideas that must be explained or illustrated with specific examples and details
- redraft writing to include additional ideas that support the essay's main claim
- learn prewriting strategies such as freewriting and brainstorming for generating ideas about a topic
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| Organizing Ideas |
- use clustering, concept mapping, or another visual organizer to identify relationships among ideas
- recognize paragraphs as a means for organizing an essay
- generate a list of words and phrases typically used as transitions (e.g., however, first, next, moreover, as a matter of fact, etc.)
- study the introductions and conclusions of model essays
- discuss the purpose and importance of the opening paragraph for directing the rest of the essay
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| Using Language |
- read and discuss the works of favorite writers; use a dictionary to learn any unfamiliar words or phrases
- recognize that clarity of expression is essential to clarity of meaning
- learn to consult a writer's reference on questions of word choice and usage
- practice proofreading to identify obvious errors and missing words
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