What+Exactly+Are+You+Supposed+To+Do?


 * Remember that the reading selection will always be different, but the**
 * writing instructions will always be the same. Be familiar with them, because**
 * they contain important clues that you __must__ use in your essay!**


 * Here is what you will see following your reading selection:**
 * **// Read the passage above and write an essay responding to the ideas it presents. In your essay, be sure to summarize the passage in your own words, stating the author’s most important ideas. Develop your essay by identifying one idea in the passage that you feel is especially significant, and explain its significance. Support your claims with evidence or examples drawn from what you have read, learned in school, and/or personally experienced. //**


 * // Remember to review your essay and make any changes or corrections that are needed to help your reader follow your thinking. //** ||


 * Clue #1:** ** //Read the passage above and write an essay responding to the ideas it presents.// **
 * Your writing must respond directly to the reading you are given. You must address the ideas**
 * presented in the reading. It may seem obvious, but it can be easy to leave the topic**
 * accidentally!**

//** author’s most important ideas. **//
 * Clue #2:** //. ** In your essay, be sure to summarize the passage in your own words, stating the **//
 * You must show that you understand what you read by summarizing it, and your summary will**
 * be incorporated into your essay. Refer to your handout on writing a good summary; it is very**
 * important that you include the author’s key points but without including unnecessary detail!**


 * Clue #3:** **// Develop your essay by identifying one idea in the passage that you feel is especially //**
 * // significant, and explain its significance. //**
 * Choose any significant idea from the reading – some texts will have more than one, some**
 * texts may have fewer – and respond to it. For example, to what extent do you agree or**
 * disagree? Develop an explanation of your ideas. We have already seen examples of several**
 * kinds of development (explanation, examples, cause and effect, comparison and contrast),**
 * and will be looking at more in the coming weeks.**


 * Clue #4:** **// Support your claims with evidence or examples drawn from what you have read, //**
 * // learned in school, and/or personally experienced. //**
 * You must provide plenty of support for any claims you make, and you can pull that support**
 * from a variety of sources. However, you must refer to specifics within the reading passage.**
 * You should be able to integrate supporting details of your own with the ideas that the author**
 * uses.**


 * Clue #5:** **// Remember to review your essay and make any changes or corrections that are //**
 * // needed to help your reader follow your thinking. //**
 * Check yourself. I’ll say it again: check yourself. Partly this means revisiting your ideas and**
 * organization, but it also means monitoring your language: don’t make careless mistakes of**
 * grammar, spelling punctuation, or sentence structure, and don’t use language that is less**
 * than academic.**


 * When you take the test…**


 * **You will have 90 minutes. You cannot be late. No excuses. No extra time. No make-ups.**
 * **You are allowed to use a paper dictionary. It can be English-English or bilingual.**


 * Dealbreakers!**


 * **You must respond to all parts of the writing directions.**
 * **You must provide a summary of the reading.**
 * **You must refer directly to ideas from the reading.**
 * **Your must write a response that is organized, and develop your ideas as thoroughly as**
 * **possible.**