Writing Pretest 2020-2021

WRITTEN RESPONSE

Directions: After reading all the directions for the writing test, plan out your essay to the prompt
that is located in the box below. You MUST type your response on the page at the
bottom of this document entitled “Your Response.” This will be the 3rd page. Good
luck!

Writing Prompt
Respond to the following:

Your school is considering making a change to the dress code. What is one change that you
would recommend, and why is it important? Use specific details and examples to justify
this change.

Before you write the essay, brainstorm your ideas and write a rough draft. Remember your essay should
contain a clear introduction with a thesis position statement, a body where those ideas are developed, and
a conclusion. Revise and edit your writing for standard usage, spelling, punctuation, capitalization,
clarity, and content.

After you finish your essay, use the attached rubric to organize, revise, and edit your paper.

Your Response…
 Writing Posttest 2020-2021
*Students chose from one of the following 5 prompts and used it to fill out their persuasive PPE
graphic organizers (pre-write). Then, they wrote a persuasive 4-5 paragraph response, edited
and revised, and created a final persuasive essay draft.

1. Scientist Albert Einstein said, “Imagination is more important than

knowledge.” Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Include specific
details and examples to convince others to support your position.
2. People sometimes say that failure can eventually lead to success. Do you agree
or disagree with this statement? Use specific examples to convince others to
support your position.
3. Studies have shown that people who take short breaks throughout the day to
do light, outdoor exercise are more productive than those who do not. Use
specific details and examples to convince your principal whether students
should have similar breaks during the school day.
4. An old proverb says honesty is the best policy. Sometimes, however, honesty
might hurt a person’s feelings. Explain why you either agree or disagree with
being honest at all times. Use specific details and examples to convince others
to support your position.
5. What improvement would make your community better? Use specific details
and examples to convince the mayor of your community to accept your idea for
improving where you live.
 Point Prove Explain (PPE) Graphic Organizer

PROMPT:

Introductory Paragraph: POINT

Hook:

Bridge::

Thesis:

Body Paragraph 1 Body Paragraph 2 Body Paragraph 3

Prove (Topic Sentence) Prove (Topic Sentence) Prove (Topic Sentence)

Explain Explain Explain

1. Detail 1. Detail 1. Detail
a. example a. example a. example

2. Detail 2. Detail 2. Detail

a. example a. example a. example

Closing Sentence Closing Sentence Closing Sentence

Conclusion
Prompt/Stance:

Restate Reasons:

Ending (“Call to Action”):

 Writing Pretest/Posttest Rubric 2020-2021
Persuasive Essay Rubric 10 - Excellent
HOOK The student uses one of the 7 ways to
write a hook to draw in the reader in the
first sentence of their introductory
paragraph.
BRIDGE The student uses 1-2 sentences to
transition from the hook to thesis
statement.
THESIS The student writes a thesis as the last
sentence of their introductory paragraph
using the thesis recipe (prompt/stance +
“because” + 2-3 reasons).
BODY PARAGRAPHS’ ORDER The student’s body paragraphs follow
the order of the thesis.
BODY PARAGRAPH DETAILS The student includes details and
examples to support the reasons in each
of their body paragraphs.
P OF CONCLUSION The student restates the prompt as the
first sentence in their conclusion
paragraph.
R OF CONCLUSION The student restates their reasons/main
points in their conclusion paragraph.
E OF CONCLUSION The student ends their conclusion
paragraph with a call to action.
*Remember: You are given 20 points as
a freebie for completing this
assignment, so do your best.
Teacher Comments:
0 - Needs Improvement
The student does not use one of the 7
ways to write a hook to draw in the
reader in the first sentence of their
introductory paragraph.
The student does not transition well
from the hook to thesis statement.
The student does not write a thesis as
the last sentence of their introductory
paragraph or does not use the thesis
recipe (prompt/stance + “because” +
2-3 reasons).
The student’s body paragraphs do not
follow the order of the thesis.
The student does not include details and
examples to support the reasons in each
of their body paragraphs.
The student does not restate the prompt
as the first sentence in their conclusion
paragraph.
The student does not restate their
reasons/main points in their conclusion
paragraph.
The student does not end their
conclusion paragraph with a call to
action.
 Writing Pretest/Posttest Data 2020-2021
Chart

Double Bar Graph