SAT Writing and Language Topics Ranked by Number of Questions

The following information was excerpted from The College Panda SAT Writing Guide and Workbook, an excellent resource.

Another List of Skills Assessed on the Writing and Language Section of the SAT

Your knowledge of:

• Relative clauses
• Prepositional phrases

Sample SAT Score Report

English IV--Word List Seven

Due December 19, 2017

Directions: Copy the vocabulary words. Some of them may have been taken from your textbook; a few words/terms may not be typical vocabulary words (for example, names of places, allusions to famous things, names of famous people); nevertheless, you should know them. 

Additional Elements of Assessment on the Writing and Language SAT (2016)

Additional Elements of Assessment on the
 Writing and Language Section of the SAT

•    Commas with a list; serial comma usage
•    Non-essential and essential clauses

Vocabulary Advice and Other Pointers for the English SAT (2016)

Vocabulary Advice and Other Pointers for the New SAT (2016)—Reading, Writing and Language, and Essay

• Words-in-Context questions often test your ability to know second meanings of words, not the most obvious definition.

SAT Writing and Language Pointers

Writing and Language Pointers for the New SAT (2016)

(Information in this post was excerpted and adapted from Kaplan's New SAT study guide. Kaplan has a variety of excellent books to prepare you for the SAT.)

The following tips will help you do well on the Writing and Language section of the SAT.

"Amusing"--Link to Online Text

https://quote.ucsd.edu/childhood/files/2013/05/postman-amusing.pdf

Writing and Language Section of SAT--Helpful Links

https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/inside-the-test/writing-language

English IV--Word List Six

Due November 21, 2017

Directions: Copy the vocabulary words. Some of them may have been taken from your textbook; a few words/terms may not be typical vocabulary words (for example, names of places, allusions to famous things, names of famous people); nevertheless, you should know them. 

English IV--Word List Five

Due November 7, 2017

Directions: Copy the vocabulary words. Some of them may have been taken from your textbook; a few words/terms may not be typical vocabulary words (for example, names of places, allusions to famous things, names of famous people); nevertheless, you should know them. 

For Educators: An Eight-Week Plan to Prepare Students for the SAT

An Eight-Week Plan to Prepare Students for the SAT

Each week, the junior English teacher will administer at least one timed Writing and Language passage (10-12 minutes maximum). Each week the junior Social Science teacher will administer at least one timed Reading passage (13-15 minutes maximum). Each week the junior Math teacher will administer at least one timed Math assessment (20 questions in 25 minutes). Of course, teachers will need to provide some direct instruction on the SAT ahead of time.

At least once a week the junior English teacher will require students to provide evidence (Khan Academy printout) of completing an SAT Writing and Language activity as a homework assignment. At least once a week the junior Social Science teacher will require students to provide evidence (Khan Academy printout) of completing an SAT Reading activity. At least once a week the junior Math teacher will require students to provide evidence (Khan Academy printout) of completing an SAT Math activity. Having teachers use Khan Academy during class, although it can be helpful, is often disruptive and time-consuming because most school computers are slow or not readily available.

It would be helpful if the school’s Literacy Coach made use of school materials (and materials online—see https://scholarmulhern.blogspot.com/p/helpful-links-for-psat-sat-and-act.html) to create class sets of these mini-assessments for the respective teachers (a total of 24 class sets). SAT books (from different test companies) could be utilized (to avoid making copies). The school’s Literacy Coach could scan the class mini-assessments and keep a weekly record of scores from the different classes, as well as disaggregate the data.

I do not believe it is necessary for teachers from disciplines other than English to teach and practice the writing of SAT essays. The essay is optional for most colleges and it does not factor into the composite SAT score of 1600. In addition, teachers from other disciplines do include writing in their curriculums. Many teachers need to prepare students for the EOCs. Additional interruptions may disrupt flow and continuity of unit plans, which may be harmful to the learning process: “When lessons flow sequentially, always reviewing prior knowledge and then constructing deeper understanding based on new concepts and skills, learning is relevant, organized, and comprehensible” (http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/109051/chapters/Lesson-Plans-and-Unit-Plans@-The-Basis-for-Instruction.aspx)

Narrative Essay Rubric

         The Peer Editing Rubric below may provide ideas.

• First and foremost, is the narrative essay a true story?  Is the narrative essay a fresh, new, original piece of writing, and not a recycled former assignment?  If not, it does not meet the requirements for this assignment.
• Does the Narrative Essay have an authentic “story” feel?  You should feel like you are reading a good story.

How to Write the New SAT Essay

THE ESSAY PROMPT

The prompt (question) shown below, or a nearly identical one, is used every time the new SAT is given.

As you read the passage below, consider how [the author] uses evidence, such as facts or examples, to support claims.

Argumentative Essay Rubric (Useful for FSA)

The Peer Editing Rubric below was adapted from the rubric on the Florida DOE website.

****

Florida Standards Assessment Argumentative Writing Rubric

For each of the following, answer yes or no. Also point out to your peer the sections of the essay that could be improved. Suggest ideas for improvement.

The New SAT Essay (2016)

http://scholarmulhern.blogspot.com/2017/10/how-to-write-new-sat-essay.html

https://scholarmulhern.blogspot.com/2016/08/wording-of-new-sat-essay-you-analyze.html#more

ENC 1101--Factors that Contribute to a Lower Score on the Analysis Essay

Break Ground, Grant Wood (1936)

Tutoring for FAST--Information and Strategies

FSA Writing Practice Test Video (youtube.com)

Bing Videos 

 https://www.fldoe.org/accountability/assessments/k-12-student-assessment/best/

Test Design Summary and Blueprint: FAST ELA Reading and B.E.S.T. Writing (fldoe.org)

https://scholarmulhern.blogspot.com/search?q=fsa

Test Design Summary and Blueprint: FAST ELA Reading and B.E.S.T. Writing (fldoe.org)

https://scholarmulhern.blogspot.com/2014/09/fsa-florida-standards-assessment.html

https://scholarmulhern.blogspot.com/2014/11/fsa-ela-informativeexplanatory-essay.html#more

FSA ELA Writing Scoring Samplers (de7pp02vfgk7b.cloudfront.net)

https://scholarmulhern.blogspot.com/2017/03/fsa-ela-brainstorming-and-planning-for.html

https://www.dmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/MULTIPLE-CHOICE-TEST-TAKING-STRATEGIES.pdf

https://www.foundationlearninggroup.com/blog/multiple-choice-test-taking-strategies

lumoslearning.com/llwp/teachers-speak/fast-assessment-practice-tips.htmlhttps://www.

https://study.com/academy/popular/fsa-test-taking-strategies.html

https://teachingideas4u.com/blog/2022/03/more-test-taking-strategies-to-start-teaching-your-students

https://oercommons.org/courseware/lesson/25870/overview

https://fl01803656.schoolwires.net/cms/lib/FL01803656/Centricity/Domain/1746/FSA%20Item%20Types.pdf

https://www.rock-hill.k12.sc.us/cms/lib/SC01000464/Centricity/Domain/2283/NHSPE-reading.pdf

https://www.smarter.com/fun/ela-assessments-testing-methods-teachers-evaluate-student-proficiency?utm_content=params%3Aad%3DdirN%26qo%3DserpIndex%26o%3D740011%26ag%3Dfw4&ueid=41ACBADA-FAB9-4E52-AA7D-C2A9EEFA17B3&origq=how+to+pass+the+fast+ela+test

https://www.ixl.com/ela/topics?partner=google&campaign=179707195&adGroup=37451260471&gad_source=5

Mulhern's English Site: Grades 9 and 10--FSA ELA Question Stems (scholarmulhern.blogspot.com) 

FSA_2020_10R_Practice_Test_PBT (de7pp02vfgk7b.cloudfront.net) 

Argumentative Essay Advice

Some teachers are resistant to a "formula" for writing an essay. My approach is practical, and I hope, logical. Young writers struggle with the steps involved in writing an essay. I offer "formulas,"; my suggestions are starting points for those who feel helpless and do not know how to structure their writing. This formulaic writing is simply a roadmap. When you feel more comfortable and become more sophisticated writers, you may move away from this approach/structure. A formulaic approach is a good skeleton and this method lessens student anxiety.

All Classes--Example of Analytical Writing: MLK's "I Have a Dream" Speech

Scholars: It is good to read examples of analytical writing because it helps you understand how to write your own analysis essays. The habit of reading and studying models (examples) is the best way to learn how to write more effectively. Below is an analysis that I wrote on MLK's "I Have a Dream" Speech.

Argumentative Essay--Additional Advice

• Avoid "I think," "I believe" in your sentences. Since you are writing the essay, we know that you think and believe the thoughts you have included. Those words are redundant. Eliminating them will make your essay stronger and also save time. Similarly, for your last paragraph, do not begin the first sentence with "In conclusion." We know it's your conclusion because it is your last paragraph. Again, this is a waste of time and redundant.

FSA Reading Item Stems

The information in this document was excerpted from the Draft of Grades 9-10 English Language Arts Item Specifications that is posted on the Florida Department of Education website. A few of the Item Stems were created by me. You may find it useful to have students use the sample Item Stems to create questions for what they are reading in class.

FSA Reading Question Types

(Information from Florida DOE website)

Hot Text items require the student to either click on a response option or drag a response option to another location. In the drag-a-response option, the student may be given five possible responses, for example. The student then must click on and drag one or more responses to a space in a chart, list, or graphic organizer. Hot Text items may also require students to select/highlight details from a text (words, phrases, or sentences). Some Hot Text items are two part. For example, Part A asks the student, "Which is a theme of the passage?" and Part B asks the student, "Which detail supports the development of the theme in Part A?"

FSA ELA Argumentative Essay Prompt--Strategies for Responding

Writing Prompt:
(from the Florida Department of Education website)

It’s no secret that sometimes great discoveries come as a result of really big mistakes. But are they always worth the problems they cause? Sometimes the mistakes lead to greatness, and sometimes they lead to disaster. Are mistakes key to making discoveries?

Additional Recommendations for Responding to the Argumentative Prompt for the FSA ELA with Helpful Links

Guidelines for Responding to an Argumentative Prompt

The format of the argumentative prompt on the English Assessment resembles the one below (see italics). Familiarize yourself with the wording and requirements:

FSA ELA--Important Information

(Some changes need to be made for the 2016-2017 year.)

The information below was excerpted from the Florida Department of Education website. First, check out the following links for a calendar of important testing dates:

Grades 9-11 FSA Writing Assessment

Grades 9–10 English Language Arts Item Specifications
Florida Standards Assessments
Text-based Writing Stimulus and Prompt Guidelines 

FSA ELA--Thinking Process for Responding to the FSA Informative/Explanatory Writing Prompt

Thinking, Nicholas Roerich (1918)

The DOE sample prompt reads as follows:

FSA ELA Brainstorming and Planning for Answering the Writing Prompt (Prewriting)

Brainstorming/Planning Strategies for Answering the FSA ELA Writing Prompt—

Note Taking While You Read and Highlight

Know that this prompt requires you to plan and revise. You will be given a sheet of paper to take notes. All good writing requires planning. Below are some suggestions for the reading, note-taking, and planning process:

Freshman English--Vocabulary List Three

Creation, Diego Rivera (1922-1923)

Due February 28, 2017

Directions: Copy the vocabulary words. Most of them have been taken from your textbook; some words/terms are not typical vocabulary words (for example, names of places or allusions to famous things); nevertheless, you should know them. Look up the definitions and parts of speech of each word. Write both in your notebook. (You must handwrite this assignment; not type, or cut and paste). For each of the words, find an excellent context sentence by googling the Internet (always cite your source within parentheses after the sentence--the name of the website). In addition, create an excellent context sentence of your own. Please clearly label the "googled" sentence and your "own" sentence: "I" for Internet sentence; "My" for the sentence that you create. Also highlight the vocabulary word in each sentence. All of this work should be written on loose-leaf paper in your notebook, so that it can be turned in for a grade.

English III--Native American Essay, Sample Introductory Paragraph

Jones 1

Suzie Jones                                                                                     

Professor Mulhern

English III, Period Three

6 February 2017

Essay on Native American Literature

English III--Native American Essay Checklist

Review your paper to make sure the following criteria have been met. If not, indicate changes, so any revised copy is improved.

Content/Organization/Structure

1. Essay has at least five paragraphs.

2. Each paragraph has at least five sentences.

3. Opening paragraph contains a strong thesis.

English III--Native American Essay Assignment

Your essay must be typewritten, MLA format, double-spaced, 12-point Times Roman font, one-inch margins. Late papers will not be accepted. Plan ahead. You have plenty of notice. See other posts on Native American Literature by using Search Box: "Native American." The other posts explain how to plan, generate ideas, and format. The most important posts are "Native American Essay Sample Introductory Paragraph" and "Native American Essay Checklist."

Freshman English--Vocabulary List Two

Woman with Yellow Hat, Pablo Picasso (no date)

Due February 7, 2017 

Directions: Copy the vocabulary words. Most of them have been taken from your textbook; some words/terms are not typical vocabulary words (for example, names of places or allusions to famous things); nevertheless, you should know them. Look up the definitions and parts of speech of each word. Write both in your notebook. (You must handwrite this assignment; not type, or cut and paste). For each of the words, find an excellent context sentence by googling the Internet (always cite your source within parentheses after the sentence--the name of the website). In addition, create an excellent context sentence of your own. Please clearly label the "googled" sentence and your "own" sentence: "I" for Internet sentence; "My" for the sentence that you create. Also highlight the vocabulary word in each sentence. All of this work should be written on loose-leaf paper in your notebook, so that it can be turned in for a grade.