How to Pass a Standardized Writing Test

How to pass the writing portion of the crct, graduation test, or any other standardized test.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• pencil
• paper
• thinking cap (:

1. 1. DETAILS
   
   These tests (I grade them) are graded in 4 categories. Grades range from 1-5. The 1st and most important is IDEAS. It SHOULD be called DETAILS and EXAMPLES.
   
   For instance "Cars cause pollution" is typical of a 2 paper.
   
   However, "Car exhaust causes pollution which can lead to smog, asthma and the destruction of our planet." is typical of a 5 paper.
   
   In a narrative especially put in all the details you can.
   
   Not "I drove to school" but "I hopped into my Red Honda civic and drove to school."
   
   Describe everything. Don't write "My father came in" but "My father came through the door looking worn out and smelling of tobacco."
   
   In a persuasive essay (usually grades 9 & up) explain everything, don't take it for granted that the reader knows what you're saying or thinking.
   For example "Poverty can lead to obesity" - 3 paper
   
   "Poverty can lead to obesity because most poor people can not afford health food and instead wind up choosing from the value menu at Mcdonalds." - 5 Paper.
   
   AND REMEMBER LENGTH COUNTS. As raters we are not ALLOWED to give more than a 3 to a one (sided) page paper. Half a page is destined for a 2.

2. ORGANIZATION
   
   Try to plan your paper before you start.
   
   DO NOT write Firstly, Secondly, or In conclusion.
   
   When you have a new idea it is enough to just begin a new paragraph. Within paragraphs write "Which leads to..." "Because of this..."
   "Furthermore..." "For example..."
   
   And don't start out by writing "I am going to write about drinking and driving."
   
   Be more original. "CRASH, and there goes another wasted life."

3. STYLE
   
   This is about how you SOUND, and your 25 cent words.
   
   Don't write just short choppy sentences or only long drawn out ones.
   
   Use your words. Don't say "Big" say "absurdly large" or "gigantic"
   
   Don't say "old" say "archaic" or "ancient" or "as old as my grandmother"
   
   Don't kill yourself over meaning. We give you points for trying.

4. CONVENTIONS
   
   This is grammar. Brush up on it. Know there from thier, and too from to, and its from it's.
   
   But don't kill yourself. No one expects it to be perfect.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't forget - HUMAN BEINGS grade these things. Don't be so careful. Show some life. Show some personality. We like to laugh. And don't forget you are NOT confined to reality, you can write about an alterante universe as long as you stay on topic. Also facts don't matter. You can make up statistics and quotes. You can say the sky in Nevada is green.