1	Georgia High School Writing Test Mark your calendars!!! Wednesday, September 26
2	Persuasive writing prompt Essay Letter to the editor Letter to your parents Letter to your principal or school board Paper to be presented at a city council or school board meeting Editorial for the school newspaper Speech
3	How will I be graded? Domain 1: Ideas 40% of total score Domain 2: Organization 20% of total score Domain 3: Style 20% of total score Domain 4: Conventions 20% of total score
4	Scoring Procedures: Each rater assigns a composition a score from 1-4 in each of the 4 domains. The Ideas domain is doubled. All scores are then added and combined to arrive at a total score. These scores are then converted to a scale ranging from 400 -600 points. A score of at least 500 is required to pass.
5	An effective persuasive composition … Has a clearly established position on the issue Fully develops an argument with specific details and examples Contains an organized structure appropriate for persuasion Contains correct sentences, usage, grammar, and spelling Introduces the reader to the issue, fully develops a position, and provides a sense of closure Uses precise language and varied sentences Is multi-paragraph writing that supports a specific side of an issue
6	Resources for extra help: Kell High Tutoring: Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:45- 5:00 Location: Media Center Bus transportation provided. www.usatestprep.com Username: kell password: newton25 (Conventions and Writing practice)
7	Directions for Readability Stats Open a new document in Word Go to Tools, in the toolbar, and click scroll down to Options, and click click on the Spelling and Grammar Tab move to the bottom of the window, and find Show Readability Stats make sure there is a check in the box click Ok the next time you use Spell Check you will get the window showing you the statistics *if you want a true picture of your writing ability do not change any errors until you get to the Statistics Window, then revise and re-check.
8	ACT, Compass, or SAT,? The ACT is a national college admission examination that consists of subject area tests in English, Math, Science, and Reading with an optional test in Writing. The COMPASS test is an instrument used as a placement test to identify your existing aptitude in reading, writing, math, and algebra. The scores are used to identify your readiness to take certain levels of general core classes as required by your declared major. The ASSET test is another placement test. The SAT Reasoning Test is a measure of the critical thinking skills you'll need for academic success in college. The SAT assesses how well you analyze and solve problems—skills you learned in school that you'll need in college.
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10	Which Test is Right for Me? Find out whether the colleges to which you are applying require one test rather than the other. Most technical schools and some two year colleges accept and/or require the COMPASS/ASSET test. If it doesn’t matter which test you take, decide which test is better suited to your skills (i.e., the test on which you’ll score better).
11	PSAT at Kell Wednesday, October 17^th Cost for 11^th graders is $13.00 There is a drop box and envelopes available in the guidance office. 11^th graders, depending on your scores, can be entered into the National Merit Scholarship competition!