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_________________________
ID #:
____________ Grade: ______
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Everett Public Schools
Assessment of Student Learning
Expository Writing Assessment
Grading Period 4
Student Packet
Grade 9
1
Full Name: _________________________
9
th
Grade
Teacher: _______________________
Period:________
Date: _____________________
Writing Assessment
Directions to the Student
For this assessment, you will have one writing task.
In order to earn the best possible score, be sure
you follow directions and write in the assigned mode/purpose for the task.
This writing task will allow you to follow all of the steps of the writing process: prewriting, writing a
first draft, revising, editing, and writing a final draft. This task has accompanying scoring criteria.
There is space provided in the test booklet for prewriting. You will receive several pieces of scratch
paper for creating a draft. However, you must write your final draft for the writing task in this booklet.
Please note: For the writing task, the only piece of writing that will be scored is what is written in
this booklet. Additional pages inserted into this booklet will not be scored.
There are several important things to remember:
1. You will have as much time as you need for the writing task.
2. For this writing task you are allowed to use a thesaurus and a dictionary in print or electronic
form.
Spell check may not be used.
3. Your final draft for this writing task must be written in this booklet on the pages provided.
Additional pages inserted in this booklet will not be scored.
4. When writing your final draft in this booklet, be sure to write neatly and clearly on the lines
provided. Cross out or erase any part of your work you do not want to include as part of your
final draft.
5. If you finish the writing task early, you may check over your work.
6. When you reach the word
STOP
in your booklet, do
not
turn the page.
STOP
2
Writing
Scoring Criteria for the Writing Task
Checklist for Writing to Inform or Explain
My essay or letter will be effective if I:
Have good content and organization. That means I…
ƒ
follow the directions in the writing task,
ƒ
narrow the topic and stay focused on the main idea,
ƒ
use well-chosen, specific details, reasons, and/or examples to support my ideas,
ƒ
use information that is interesting, thoughtful, and important,
ƒ
organize my writing with an introduction, body (supporting ideas or reasons), and a conclusion,
ƒ
organize my writing in paragraphs,
ƒ
use transitions to connect my ideas;
Have an interesting style. That means I …
ƒ
show that I am committed to my topic,
ƒ
use language that is appropriate for my audience and purpose,
ƒ
use specific words that help the reader understand my ideas,
ƒ
use different types and lengths of sentences
;
Follow conventions in writing. That means I …
ƒ
write complete sentences,
ƒ
use correct capitalization and punctuation,
ƒ
use correct grammar,
ƒ
spell words correctly,
ƒ
show where new paragraphs begin.
Go On
Writing Task
Expository Writing
Directions:
Today, you will write an expository composition. In expository writing, a writer fully
explains the main idea or thesis using details, reasons, and /or examples. In order to earn the best
possible score, be sure that you follow directions and write in the expository mode.
For this writing task, you will have the opportunity to follow all of the steps of the writing process:
prewriting, writing a first draft, revising, editing, and writing a final draft. You may use a dictionary and
thesaurus in print or electronic form.
Spell check may not be used.
The only piece of writing that will be scored is your final draft.
Your score will be based on the
scoring criteria listed on the previous page. Be sure to refer to this checklist of scoring criteria to help
you write an effective expository letter. Additional pages inserted into this booklet will not be scored.
YOUR TASK
3
Part of life is making mistakes. Think of a big mistake made by you or someone
you know. In a multi-paragraph letter to a close friend, parent or school counselor,
explain why the mistake was made and what could have been done to correct it.
4
Expository Writing Task
Prewriting
Directions:
Prewriting is a great way to get started on a writing task because it gives you ideas to start
with. It also helps you organize your ideas before you write. There are different kinds of prewriting.
Choose
one
of the following, or another one that you know and like, and use the next page (and
additional scratch paper if you need more space) to do the prewriting.
•
Draw a web or a cluster
with circles connected by lines. In the circles, write ideas that develop
and support your topic (details, reasons, and/or examples). Draw lines to connect ideas that are
related in some way. Then, decide how you will organize your ideas.
OR
•
List ideas that develop and support your topic. You don’t have to write complete sentences. At
first, don’t worry about the order of the ideas. After you have finished your list, you can go back
and organize your ideas.
OR
•
Do an
outline
.
OR
•
Do
another kind
of prewriting that you know and like.
5
Writing
Prewriting
Directions:
Use the space below, or the scratch paper provided, for your prewriting.
Remember, your
prewriting will not be scored.
First Draft
Directions:
Use the best ideas from your prewriting to write your first draft on the scratch paper
provided. Since it is a draft, it is okay to cross out words and sentences and try different ways to get
your ideas across. You may use a thesaurus and a dictionary in print or electronic form.
Spell check
may not be used. Remember, your first draft will not be scored.
Expository Writing Task
Final Draft
Directions:
Before you begin your final draft, read the checklist on page 2 again. Then make revisions
and edits to your final draft according to the checklist. When you have made your revisions and edits,
write your final draft on this page and the next four pages, if you need them.
After you have finished writing your final draft in the booklet, read the checklist one more time to make
sure you have done your most effective writing. If you need to make any final revisions or edits, make
them on your final draft. Remember, you may use a thesaurus and dictionary in print or electronic form
to help you with your words.
Spell check may not be used
. Your final draft
will be scored
.
Your Task
6
Part of life is making mistakes. Think of a big mistake made by you or someone you
know. In a multi-paragraph letter to a close friend, parent or school counselor,
explain why the mistake was made and what could have been done to correct it.
7
Writing
Final draft
Continue your final draft on this page, if you need to.
8
Writing
Final draft
Continue your final draft on this page, if you need to.
9
Writing
Final draft
Continue your final draft on this page, if you need to.
10
Writing
Final draft
Continue your final draft on this page, if you need to.
STOP
