Journal Guidelines

As you will be taking the HSPA and the SAT/ACT this year, it is ESSENTIAL that you prepare for the writing section since you have been consistently been preparing for the reading throughout your high school career and the writing less so.  Through the HSPA prep journals, you will learn how to efficiently create outlines, properly structure persuasive and expository essays, keep an eye out for common errors and revise for final drafts.

Grading:  The purpose of practice is to improve through critique and revision of methods; this will be reflected in the grading here.  For the first marking period ONLY – your grade will be based solely on:

·         the essays attempting to address the prompts (not random rambling)

·         their having outlines (with rule of three)

·         their being 5 paragraphs each

·         being 1 page for persuasive and 1.5 pages for expository (which should be easy if done right)

What does this mean?  As long as you meet the four above requirements, you will be GUARANTEED an A for a TEST grade (90 for complete, 100 for “passing” and complete.  This is an easy way to augment your grade for the marking period by simply completing the assignments.  At the conclusion of the first marking period I will read two of your four submitted essays and identify the errors therein, give them an HSPA score (1-6 **which is the important number**) and provide you with further requirements for the following set of essays specifically designed for YOUR needs.  Why?  So that you break the bad habits and are successful on the testing later in the year.

In the Future:

The first set will provide your baseline, but the point is to get better, so once you have completed the first set, the grading will change accordingly.  In the subsequent sets, you will be responsible for the initial four criteria AND following the instructions as noted on the current grading sheet.  If any are ignored, you will lose points.  ALSO, you are expected to receive a higher HSPA score (1-6) than you did on the set before or your grade will be affected.  Perhaps this sounds difficult, but if you put forth an effort and follow the instructions as given, you will DEFINITELY improve your score and this will be another easy A.

So what’s stopping you from intentionally doing a crummy job on the first set of essays intentionally?  Well, you will be rewarded with less work.  Since the purpose is improvement, if you show ADVANCED ability in one of the essay types (5.5-6), you will be exempt from one or all of that style in the following set of essays.  So, this should be your goal EVERY TIME.  The more seriously you take these essays, the better you will do.

Persuasive Essay Tips

One of the essays you will be asked to complete for the HSPA is a persuasive essay.  This one you have probably been preparing for for most of your education, but that means that you may have gotten in the groove of bad habits.  Therefore, so as not to repeat these mistakes, follow the following guidelines.

Purpose:  This type of writing assignment provides you with a situation and the task you are being asked to complete.  .A persuasive essay is written to make the reader agree with your point of view. When you write this kind of essay you must decide if you are for or against an issue. For example, on the issue of abortion you would be either for legal abortions or against legal abortions. You should NOT show both sides of an issue.  You will be asked to write a 5 paragraph essay that supports your point of view and persuades your audience.

Outline:  To adequately outline this type of essay, part of it comes by deciding which way is a better argument NOT which side you personally agree with.  To accomplish this, you should first restate the question (for clarity) then create a T chart on the topic and finally break down your major reasons to include specific support.

For	Against
Reason 1	Reason 1
Reason 2	Reason 2
Reason 3

In the above example, you would write for the “for” proposition because it has more reasons for being “right”.  Even if you emotionally believe the opposite, the task here is to write the stronger essay.  We actually tend to argue worse when we are emotionally invested.

Next, take the three reasons listed under “for” and list specific support for them so that writing the three body paragraphs will be simple.

**There is a difference between a reason and support – SUPPORT IS CONCRETE AND SPECIFIC! Reasons are general assertions that require support to prove they are valid.

Structure:

Paragraph 1 (the introduction) must accomplish three things:

         1. Set up the situation as posed by the prompt

         2.      Provide a CLEAR thesis (for/against, agree/disagree, etc.) – AVOID USING I!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

         3.  Frame the major aspects of your argument (the general focus of your 3 body paragraphs)

Paragraphs 2-4 (body) include:

           1.   A topic sentence that includes a transition (First, the most obvious reason, another reason, etc) and the general focus of this paragraph

            2.     AT LEAST two pieces of SPECIFIC support that fall under the umbrella of the topic sentence and prove the point.  Support is NOT OPINION or emotional pleas, it is made up of facts, observations, etc.

Paragraph 5 (the conclusion) must:

          1.     Sum up the major points of the essay

       2.       Restate the thesis (in new words)

       3.       End with a “KICKER” that pushes the reader to end up on your side and concludes the essay suitably

Journal #1

WRITING SITUATION

There has been a lot of research in regard to the way girls and boys learn differently, so much that in some areas of the world, entire schools are for a single gender.  Students who attend single-gender classes have elevated test scores and a higher rate of college attendance and success.  Based on these findings, Governor Christie has selected Cliffside Park to be a test district wherein students will attend single gender classes.

WRITING TASK

Write a letter to the editor of the local paper in support of or against the changes in classrooms. Support your position with reasons, examples, facts, and/or other evidence. Convince your readers to take your position seriously.             

Expository Essay Tips

 

The second type of essay you will be asked to complete for the HSPA is an expository essay.  This one you may not have worked on as much as the persuasive, this means that being prepared for what they want is even more important.  Therefore, make sure that you follow the guidelines.

Purpose:

This type of writing assignment provides you with a quotation (or two) and a question connected to it for you to address.  While persuasive essays are meant to convince the reader, the expository essay is more informative and requires that you craft a relevant thesis and support it with information from your education and/or life.  As the examples from life tend to score lower on these, you will be asked to stick to relevant examples from your education over your personal experiences during our practice.  You will be asked to write a 5 paragraph essay that establishes a clear point of view and justifies the position through examples and explanation.

 WARNING:  There are three big issues that students tend to have with this essay:

1. Students tend to use a thesis that is off topic given the question posed
2. Students tend to write solely opinion, without using support (which is the point of the essay)
3. Students use support that is NOT concrete or specific, but instead vague

 

Outline:

To adequately outline this type of essay, it is important that you decide what your thesis should be PRIOR to outlining properly.  If you need a T chart to do this, use one, if you immediately know what your thesis will be, you can skip that step.  Unlike with the persuasive, you may claim that both sides of the issue are true as long as your thesis and the subsequent support proves it.

For this essay, you need areas of specific support instead of general reasons.  One SAT class I observed used the rule of Martin Luther King – as his life works for many prompts.  If you know a bunch of literature, historical moments and famous people, you will easily be able to select some that apply for the topic given.

Next, take the three people/events/stories and list specific details that make them ideal for the thesis you’ve decided on and writing the three body paragraphs will be simple.

**Pretend that the reader has never heard of the people/events/books you are using and EXPLAIN them and how they apply.

Structure:

Paragraph 1 (the introduction) must accomplish three things:

1. Set up the situation as posed by the prompt
2. Provide a CLEAR thesis
3. Frame the major aspects of your argument (the general focus of your 3 body paragraphs: in science, literature and professional sports/this is proven consistently by major historical moments, etc.)

 

Paragraphs 2-4 (body) include:

1. A topic sentence that includes a transition (First, the most obvious reason, another reason, etc) and the general focus of this paragraph
2. Explain what/who the example you’ve chosen is
3. Connect the person/event/book back to the topic

Paragraph 5 (the conclusion) must:

1. Sum up the major points of the essay
2. Restate the thesis (in new words)
3. End with a “KICKER” that ties your argument up in a single statement

Journal #2

Think carefully about the issue presented in the following excerpt and the assignment below.

Many people deny that stories about characters and events that are not real can teach us about ourselves or about the world around us. They claim that literature does not offer us worthwhile information about the real world. These people argue that the feelings and ideas we gain from books and stories obstruct, rather than contribute to, clear thought.

-Adapted from Jennifer L. McMahon, "The Function of Fiction"

Assignment:

Can books and stories about characters and events that are not real teach us anything useful? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, or observations. 

Journal #3

WRITING SITUATION

There have been many cases recently of professional athletes being caught using “performance enhancing” drugs.  In the face of being caught, these performers have been eliminated from any form of recognition within their sport.  Should these athletes be honored for their achievements or are they rightly banned from receiving any?

WRITING TASK

Write an article for your school paper which takes a position on this issue.  Support your position with reasons, examples, facts, and/or other evidence. Convince your readers to take your position seriously.

Journal #4

Think carefully about the issue presented in the following excerpt and the assignment below.

It is wrong to think of ourselves as indispensable. We would love to think that our contributions are essential, but we are mistaken if we think that any one person has made the world what it is today. The contributions of individual people are seldom as important or as necessary as we think they are.

Assignment:

Do we put too much value on the ideas or actions of individual people rather than groups? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, or observations. 

JOURNALS DUE!!!!

OCTOBER 15TH JOURNALS 1-4 ARE DUE!!!

Journal #5

WRITING SITUATION

Now that Bloomberg attempted to eliminate large sugary drinks in New York, the State of New Jersey has gone in a similar direction.  A new law has been proposed which will add a tax to items classified as “junk food” – high in fat and sugar.

WRITING TASK

Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper supporting or opposing this legislation. Support your position with reasons, examples, facts, and/or other evidence. Convince your readers to take your position seriously.

Journal #6

Think carefully about the issue presented in the following excerpt and the assignment below.

Many societies believe that the pursuit of happiness is a fundamental human right. But it is also true that attainment of happiness remains elusive. Perhaps Bertrand Russell had it right when he said, “To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness.”

Assignment:

What gives people more pleasure and satisfaction: the pursuit of our desires or the attainment of them? Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, or observations.

Journal #7

WRITING SITUATION

The state department of education has provided funding for an experimental online high school. All the classes will take place on the Internet, using email, online chat/video conferencing, and the World Wide Web. The students taking classes at this new online school will never meet each other face-to-face. They will only interact online with each other and with their teachers.

WRITING TASK

Consider the advantages and/or disadvantages of an online school.  What is your position on this issue?  Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper stating your position and supporting it with convincing reasons.

Journal #8

Think carefully about the issue presented in the following excerpt and the assignment below.

Everybody has some choice. People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want and, if they can't find them, make them.

Adapted from George Bernard Shaw, Mrs. Warren's Profession

Assignment:

Does success depend on the choices people make rather than on factors beyond their control? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, or observations.

JOURNALS DUE!!!

ON DECEMBER *** JOURNALS 5-8 ARE DUE!!!
***REMEMBER, YOU SHOULD HAVE IMPROVED SINCE THE LAST ENTRIES, SO DON'T RUSH THROUGH... ALSO, SOME OF YOU MUST HAVE AN OUTLINE FOR CERTAIN ENTRIES.

Journal #9

WRITING SITUATION

In the digital age of ebooks and the internet, one must consider their impact on the educational system.  Should textbooks and note books be replaced by notebook computers in the high school?

WRITING TASK

Write a letter to the superintendent of schools regarding this issue.  Support your position with reasons, examples, facts, and/or other evidence. Convince your readers to take your position seriously.

Journal #10

Think carefully about the issue presented in the following excerpt and the assignment below.

A man who waits to believe in action before acting is anything you like, but he is not a man of action. It is as if a tennis player before returning the ball stopped to think about his views of the physical and mental advantages of tennis. You must act as you breathe.

-Georges Clemenceau

Assignment:

Is it true that acting quickly and instinctively is the best response to a crisis? Or are there times when an urgent situation requires a more careful consideration and a slower response?  Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, or observations.

Journal #11

WRITING SITUATION

Across the United States, there has been an influx of immigrants from various countries.  Many of these students are placed in English as a Second Language (ESL) programs to assist in their acquisition of the English language.  Although these students are slowly immersed in the language, the state testing remains solely in English.  Should state testing be provided in alternate languages for ESL students?

WRITING TASK

Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper supporting or opposing the change in testing. Support your position with reasons, examples, facts, and/or other evidence. Convince your readers to take your position seriously.

Journal #12

Think carefully about the issue presented in the following quotations and the assignment below.

“A man should never be ashamed to own he has been in the wrong, which is but saying, in other words, that he is wiser today than he was yesterday.”

-Alexander Pope

Assignment:

Do people learn more from finding out that they have made mistakes or from successful actions?  Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, or observations.

JOURNALS DUE!!!

ON ***** JOURNALS 9-12 ARE DUE!!!
***REMEMBER, YOU SHOULD HAVE IMPROVED SINCE THE LAST ENTRIES, SO DON'T RUSH THROUGH