Cracking the Writing
Section of the Compass
Instructor: Ms. Becky
Villarreal
Format
of a Persuasive Essay
| Writing
Prompts
| Lectures
If you want to
meet with Becky Villarreal in the
Cypress Creek Learning Lab for help with the writing
section, please email her first at bvillarr@austincc.edu.
Click
here to view her hours in the Learning Lab.
Obtain a blue Assessment Referral
form from the Assessments Center (CYP 2116) before coming to
the Learning Lab. Contact Assessment at Cypress at
512.223.2020.
Multiple Choice
Section
The Writing Skills Test determines
whether a student has the skills and knowledge to succeed in
the college-level composition course. Students are given 1-4
passages in which they are required to identify errors and
then to correctly select an appropriate revision. Students
will highlight sentences with the computer mouse and then
select the appropriate revision. The passage errors assess
sentence structure, grammar and usage, and punctuation. Some
of the more common errors deal with comma splices,
fragments, agreement, word choice, coordination,
subordination, and usage. A final set of questions measures
a students organizational and rhetorical skills (for
example, topic sentences, transitions, etc.).
You will be presented with a split
screen--the passage will be on the left and the question
will be on the right. Using your mouse, you will highlight
each sentence, then choose the best option for editing that
sentence (or not). After you click Finished Editing, you
cannot return to the passage.
Click
here to see a sample split screen.
Click
here to complete sample passages.
Click
here for Compass Writing
Interface;
Interface
Powerpoint
The Writing Sample
Students are given approximately 75
minutes to complete the writing sample. The prompt will
require students to write a persuasive letter, using between
300-600 words-- if you write less than 300 words or more
than 600, you will lose points.
The following characteristics are
considered in scoring the writing samples:
- Appropriatenessthe extent
to which the student addresses the topic and uses
language appropriate to the audience and
purpose.
- Unity and Focusthe
clarity with which the student states and maintains a
main idea or point of view.
- Developmentthe supporting
detail the student provides.
- Organizationthe clarity
and logic of the student's writing.
- Sentence Structurethe
extent to which the student's writing is free of errors
in sentence structure.
- Usagethe extent to which
the student's writing is free of errors in usage and
shows care and precision in word choice.
- Mechanical the student's
ability to spell common words and use correct
capitalization, grammar, and punctuation.
Click
here for the Compass Writing Module.
Scoring
Your test scores determine which
course you are to be placed in:
- A Writing score of 6 or more
(and any objective score) requires no developmental
writing
- An objective score of 44-58,
with a Writing score of 5, places you in Writing Skills
II
- An objective score of 0-43,
with a Writing score of 5, or a Writing Score of 4 (and
any objective score) places you in Writing Skills
I
- A Writing score of 2 or 3 (and
any objective score) places you in Fundamentals of
Writing
- A Writing score of less than 2
requires that you take a developmental reading course
before starting Writing courses (see
counselor)
Helpful Hints
- Write a five-paragraph essay of
about 400 words
- Double space between
paragraphs
- Include a strong thesis
statement in your introduction (the last
sentence)
- Begin each body paragraph with
a topic sentence that supports your
thesis
- Give at least two examples for
each body paragraph for support--you can even make up
stories and statistics
- Reiterate your thesis in the
conclusion
- Don't worry about writing the
essay like a letter--no greetings or closings are
necessary
- Don't worry about the
audience--just be sure to write using formal, not casual,
language
- Use key words from the
prompt
- Proofread Proofread
Proofread
Format of the
Persuasive Essay
Click
here for an example of the typical essay prompt for the
Compass
Click
here for a sample persuasive essay with some helpful
tips
In the typical five
paragraph essay, there
is a specific format to be followed:
I. Introduction
II. Body Paragraph
One
III. Body Paragraph
Two
IV. Body Paragraph
Three
V. Conclusion
For example, the prompt may ask you
to write a letter to the school board about whether or not
funding for the fine arts programs should be a priority in
the public schools.
When taking the Compass test, you
will have to take a position. A good idea is to start with a
pro-con list (using your scratch paper).
Continue the funding
of fine arts
|
Stop the funding of
fine arts
|
|
|
1. Fine arts programs
provide a creative outlet for
students
|
1. Fine arts programs are
too expensive
|
2. Studying art, drama,
and music builds confidence in
students
|
2. Students need to focus
on the basics: English, math, and
science
|
3. Students who are not
athletic need extracurricular activities
too
|
|
Now that you have brainstormed,
it's time to choose a position. In this case, let's choose
to support funding of the fine arts. Therefore, our thesis
statement should say something like this:
Funding for the arts
should be provided in public schools.
Once you have a thesis, you can put
together your outline using the pro-con list
above:
I. Introduction--identify
controversy (the lack of funds for the fine
arts)
- Thesis statement: Funding
for the arts should be provided in public
schools.
II. Body Paragraph One--the arts
provide a creative outlet
- Students need a break from
tedious core classes
- Creativity can help students
discover who they are
III. Body Paragraph Two--the
arts build confidence
- Students who are bullied
will have a chance to shine
- Classes like music and drama
will help develop presentation skills
IV. Body Paragraph Three--the
arts give non-athletic students a chance to participate
in school activities
- A lot of famous actors and
musicians were inspired by the arts
V. Conclusion--reiterate thesis
and bring paper to a close
Once your outline is solidified,
you can draft your paper. Be sure to indent or double space
when beginning each new paragraph.
Introduction
In a persuasive essay, the
introduction must:
- Identify the
controversy.
- Present the other side briefly
and quickly come back to your position
(optional)
- Close the paragraph with your
thesis statement, taking a strong position on the
issue.
This introduction is taken from Dr.
Nancy Allen's The Writer's Handbook:
The decision to eliminate or to
keep funding for the fine arts programs in the public
schools presents the school board the opportunity to do what
is best for the students. Whatever the school board's
decision, it will have a significant impact on the students'
lives. The citizens and students who support eliminating the
fine arts funding have some convincing arguments, including
the recent reduction in state funds. However, programs such
as drama, music, and art provide many benefits to the
students. Funding should, therefore, be provided for the
fine arts programs. (Note that the last sentence states the
thesis of the paper.)
Body Paragraphs
In the body of the essay, the
writer uses specific evidence, examples, and personal
opinions to persuade the reader that the stated position is
a valid one. Each sentence must closely relate to the topic
and the sentence that came before it. This way, the logic of
the argument is easy to follow. Be sure to use adequate
transitions as they make it easy for the reader to follow
the logic of the presentation.
- The purpose of these
paragraph(s) is to defend the thesis
statement.
- Each body paragraph should open
with a topic sentence that supports the thesis.
- For example: One reason the
school board should support the funding of the arts is
because it provides students with a creative
outlet.
- Use examples to support the
main point of each body paragraph. For the first
paragraph in this paper, you should discuss why it's
important for students to express their creativity.
- For example: By expressing
themselves through the arts, students are able to
release their emotions and feelings in a more positive
atmosphere.
Once you have drafted all three
body paragraphs, you can write the conclusion of your
paper.
Conclusion
A good conclusion leaves readers
satisfied that a full discussion has taken place. Remember,
this is the last chance to remind the reader and convince
him/her to accept the writer's position.
Varieties of
Conclusions
- Conclusions presenting a
summary
- Conclusions presenting a final
generalization.
- Conclusions presenting a
striking example.
- Conclusions presenting a
forecast.
Below are some examples of
conclusions for a variety of topics.
Conclusions presenting a parting
question:
Without a doubt, the present
faculty disciplinary committee should be replaced by a
student court. An overwhelming majority of the students
favor such a change. Why, then, are the officials of this
school reluctant to take action? Are they unaware of the
advantages of a student-court system? Or are they simply
indifferent to student opinion?
Conclusions presenting a call to
action:
Since the officials of this
school seem reluctant to replace the current system, we will
simply have to try to make them understand the advantages of
a student-court system. So lets form a committee of
concerned students to meet with the faculty--and, if
necessary, with the dean and president as well. We have a
right to be heard.
Revising your
Paper
When you have finished drafting
your essay (your introduction, body paragraphs, and
conclusion), you may begin the revising/editing
process. Before editing
the specific details of your essays, you must edit the
content or make global
revisions. Once
the content of your essay is in place, you can revise for
grammar, punctuation, and style, or make
specific
revisions.
Global Revisions
When making global revisions, ask
yourself the following questions:
- Is the thesis sentence clearly
stated or implied in the introduction?
- Can you, if asked, offer a
one-sentence explanation or summary of what the paper is
about?
- Does your thesis contain the
main idea of the paper?
- Is the thesis supported in the
body of the paper?
- Is there an introduction, body,
and conclusion?
- Do you have an appropriate
audience in mind?
- Does the introduction capture
the reader's attention, provide any necessary background
information or definitions, and gradually lead up to the
main idea of the paper?
- Does the organization make
sense?
- Does the paper progress in an
organized, logical way?
- Have you effectively utilized
transitions to connect sentences and paragraphs?
- Is each main point represented
by a topic sentence (stated or implied) at the beginning
of each body paragraph?
- Do the topic sentences relate
to your thesis?
- Are the main points of your
essay fully developed?
- Are there places in the paper
where more details, examples, or specifics are needed?
- Does the paper as a whole flow?
Does it seem complete?
- How can this paper be improved?
Specific Revisions
After the content of your paper has
been modified, you can begin to edit the specific details.
When making specific revisions, ask yourself the following
questions:
- Have you varied sentence
structure, rhythm, and length?
- Have you corrected all comma
splices, fragments, or fused (run-on) sentences?
- Have you avoided the passive
voice? For example, instead of saying, "The ham was eaten
by Sally," you should say, "Sally ate the ham."
- Do the sentences agree in
subject and verb? By pronoun and antecedent?
- Have you avoided awkward
sentence constructions and verb tense shifts?
- Have you correctly used commas,
semicolons, dashes, apostrophes, etc.?
- Are your word choices clear,
effective, and concise?
- Are all the words spelled
correctly?
Underline anything that sounds
unusual or awkward. Go back and look at each of the
sentences you have underlined and see how you can reword
them to make them sound clearer.
Practice
Below are some sample writing
prompts, similar to those used on the TAKS Test. The only
way to get better at writing is to write more, so choose a
prompt and try it out. Remember to choose a side and prove
your point. Don't forget to use multiple paragraphs, an
introductory paragraph, some paragraphs in the body of the
paper, and a concluding paragraph. If you have signed up for
the Continuing Ed course, you will need to use one of the
prompts below to write the practice persuasive
essay.
- Service learning is the new
buzzword on college and university campuses across the
country. Some people believe that students should be
required to perform community service for course credit
before graduating, stating that service learning will
help not only the student performing the community
service, but also the community in general. Others
believe that colleges and universities are not
appropriate forums in which this should occur, or that it
should be a voluntary action on the students' part. In an
essay to be read by the president of a university, argue
for or against required community service for course
credit before graduation. Your purpose is to convince the
reader that service learning should, or should not, be
required.
- There is some controversy
surrounding the use of animals for testing purposes.
Supporters of this issue believe that many discoveries
beneficial to humanity have resulted from the testing of
animals. Opponents argue that it is inhumane to use
animals for testing purposes and note that often the
tests performed on animals are for reasons not directly
related to the well being of humanity. In an essay to be
read by your peers, argue for or against using animals
for laboratory testing. Your purpose for writing is to
persuade your readers to agree with your point of view.
- People have different opinions
about whether or not the legal drinking age should be
lowered to 18 years, as it once was. Those who support
this issue argue that a person is old enough to vote and
go to war, so surely he/she is old enough to drink
alcoholic beverages. Opponents believe that if the
drinking age were lowered to 18, car accidents and deaths
would increase, as would other social problems. In an
essay to be read by a government professor, argue for or
against lowering the legal drinking age to 18, as it once
was. Your purpose in writing is to persuade your reader
that your view is correct.
- Curriculum issues in public
schools are on the rise. One issue that is being
discussed regards whether or not physical education
courses should be required in high schools. Proponents
believe that Americans, in general, are not physically
fit, and high school is a vehicle through which good
health habits can be fostered. Opponents argue that there
is not enough time in the day to teach all the material
that must be taught, and physical education classes take
up valuable time that could be used for teaching other
subjects. In an essay to be read by a dean of
instruction, argue for or against requiring physical
education courses in high school. Your purpose in writing
is to convince your reader that physical education
courses should or should not be required for high school
students.
- People have different opinions
about whether or not a woman should be elected as
President of the United States of America. Write a
persuasive essay, to be read by a government instructor,
in which you give reasons to support your position.
Include examples to help convince your reader that a
woman should, or should not, be elected President. Your
purpose in writing is to persuade your reader that your
view is accurate and should be followed.
- Many people in America do not
have adequate health care benefits. Insurance policies
and health care should be provided for the masses free of
charge, as it is in some countries. Others believe that
if we were to offer free health care, the quality of the
services would decline, as doctors and others in the
field would be overworked and underpaid. In an essay to
be read by premed students, argue for or against free
health care in America. Your purpose in writing is to
persuade your readers to agree with your point of view.
- There is some controversy over
whether or not American students should be required to
take foreign language classes in school. Some believe
that English will be the universal language, so the need
for Americans to learn foreign languages is wasted time
that could be spent on other material that needs to be
taught and learned. Others argue that knowing more than
one language will be necessary for economic survival in
the near future. In an essay to be read by foreign
language instructors, argue for or against requiring
students to take foreign language classes. Your purpose
is to persuade your reader to agree with you.
Writing
Lectures
ACC
Developmental Writing Website
Compass
Objective Practice
Grammar
Lecture
Grammar
Tutorials
ACT
Writing Practice 1
ACT
Writing Practice 2
Structure
of an Essay
TAKS
Writing Practice
Sample
of Writing Compass Test
Reviewing
Punctuation Marks
Independent
and Dependent Clauses
Paragraph
Development
Common
Spelling Errors
Capitalization
More
Compass Writing Pointers
Compass
Prep Syllabus |
The
Reading Section
| The
Math Section
| Blackboard
Created by Becky Villarreal
Austin Community College 2000
|