Writing Skill T t W iti Skills Test (WST) Workshop

Learning Assistance Resource Center

2011
Created by Manuel Vasquez and Amy Lehman

Agenda
Introduction I d i The Essay Section planning time understanding the prompt brainstorming strategies essay structure and practice The Multiple Choice Section question types strategies and practice Preparation for the WST

Introduction to the WST

GWAR (G d i Writing G (Graduation ii Assessment Requirement) Taken prior to enrollment in 100W (after passing English 1B) Two Parts
60 minute Essay 45 minute Multiple Choice test (72 p ( questions; 1 and 3 point questions)

Score report within 4 5 weeks 4-5

Photos from thewaytocollege.com and superstock.com

What do I need?
(Refer to Information Bulletin)

Pens for the essay section Paper Dictionary for Essay

(black or blue)

Pencils with eraser top for Multiple Choice test

Photos from montrealpens.com and keetsa.com

FAQ
Q. Is the admission ticket mailed or emailed or both? A. The Admission ticket is no longer mailed. It is emailed through MySJSU messaging. g y g g Q. At what point should I worry if I don t don't have an admission ticket? A. If you have not received your admission ticket 3 days prior to the test date, contact the testing office.

FAQ
Q. Where is the test held? A. A This information is not disclosed due to test security, but various locations on campus are used used. Q. Can I bring a bilingual dictionary? A. Yes, b l bilingual dictionaries are allowed. ld ll d However, only one dictionary is permitted on the desk at one time. d h d k

FAQ
Q. Can I use a watch? A. Yes A Yes. It must not make any noise or beep during the test. Q. Q Can I use mechanical pencils? A. Mechanical pencils are not allowed because they pose a risk to damaging b h k d the answer sheet and the readers do not l k the essay to be written in pencil like h b l because of smudging.

FAQ
Q. Can I write on the prompt paper? A. Yes, you may make notes on the prompt. ,y y p p You will also be given paper on which to make notes and plan.

FAQ
Q. Can I write on the multiple choice test? A. Yes. However, you do not get any credit for anything written in the booklet. All answers need to be transcribed to the answer sheet within the 45 minute period.

FAQ
Q. Do the essay booklets have lines? A. Yes they do. We suggest that students write y gg on every other line to make corrections more easily. Q. What if I need a special chair or other accommodations? A. Please contact the testing office no later than 2 weeks before the test date to make any special requests. i l t

Scores
Essay
12 11 8-11 7 6

Multiple Choice Status

50 69 50 60 63 Waiver Eligible (depending on major) Waiver Eligible (depending on major) (d di j ) Pass Pass Pass Fail

All Other Combination of Scores

Objective scores are reported in standard score terms.

Score combinations
You can combine your scores if you have taken the WST more than once. Example: Test 1 (failed) Essay:6 MC: 60 Test 2 (failed) Essay:7 MC: 55 Essay 7 + Multiple Choice 60 = PASS l l Ch SS
Q. How can students combine scores? A. Students will need to go to Undergraduate Studies in Administration Building Room 159 to combine scores. Just let the staff know and they will assist.

Scoring Guidelines
Six point scale for essay
6 is the highest 1 is the lowest

Two readers Readers scores are added to make essay out of 12 12.

Your essay score

Is determined by 2 readers who grade your essay from 1-6 Is graded on the following: g g
Organization Ability to address the topic (relevance and thoughtfulness) Coherence and cohesiveness (clear and focused) Appropriate details and support Appropriate language and word choice Variety of sentence structure and vocabulary Frequency of errors
WST Scoring Guideline from the English Department

Scoring Guidelines: 6
6 Demonstrates superior competence in writing on both rhetorical and syntactic levels
Is ff ti l I effectively organized and developed i d dd l d Intelligently addresses the topic, showing maturity of thought and expression g p Uses appropriate details to clearly support a thesis or illustrate ideas Shows unity and consistent facility in use of language Demonstrates a high level of syntactic variety and appropriate word choice i t d h i Is nearly free of errors
WST Scoring Guideline from the English Department

Scoring Guidelines: 5
5 Demonstrates clear competence in writing on both the rhetorical and syntactic levels, though it may have occasional, minor errors
Generally well organized and well developed, though it may offer fewer details than a 6 paper May address some parts of the topic better than others Shows unity, coherence, and progression Demonstrates some syntactic variety and range of vocabulary Displays facility in language

WST Scoring Guideline from the English Department

Scoring Guidelines: 4
4 Demonstrates competence in writing on both the rhetorical and syntactic levels
Is adequately organized Addresses the topic adequately, though perhaps not completely p y Uses some details to support a thesis or illustrate ideas Demonstrates adequate but not distinguished facility with language and syntax May contain some errors that obscure meaning
WST Scoring Guideline from the English Department

Scoring Guidelines: 3
3 While it demonstrates some developing competence in writing, remains flawed on either the rhetorical or syntactic level or both
Inadequate development or organization Failure to support or illustrate generalizations with appropriate or sufficient detail Multiple errors in sentence structure and/or usage Inappropriate choice or words or word forms

WST Scoring Guideline from the English Department

Scoring Guidelines: 2
2 Suggests limited competence in writing; may be seriously flawed by one or more of the following weaknesses:
Failure to organize or develop Little detail or irrelevant specifics Serious and frequent errors in usage and sentence structure Problems with fluency and focus

WST Scoring Guideline from the English Department

Scoring Guidelines: 1
1 Demonstrates incompetence in writing; may reveal the writers inability to comprehend the question, may be incoherent h d th ti b i h t or impressively illogical. A paper that is severely underdeveloped falls into this y p category. Papers that reject the assignment, off-topic papers, and no-response papers will be given to the table leader or chief reader reader.
WST Scoring Guideline from the English Department

15 minute planning phase

You have 15 minutes to prepare before writing your essay. How do you use this time?
Read and reread the prompt. Mark the prompt. Brainstorm and outline. outline

Direct or Guided Prompt

For this type of prompt, the essay structure is given, or suggested. Multi-part question Argument Describe a special skill that you have acquired on your own. How did you first become interested in acquiring this skill, and how have you been able to utilize it in your skill life? College College students should have the liberty to choose their own coursework. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Open-Ended Prompt
In this type of prompt, students
may have few guidelines determine the structure/organization Describe the ideal work environment. Describe a pastime that has helped you persevere through a difficult time in your life. life

Quote Prompts
In this type of prompt, you will read a quotation and might be asked to interpret it in your own words agree or disagree apply it to your own life It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. J h F. Kennedy John F K d

Marking the prompt

Prompt Analysis
There is often background information to help you understand the topic. Read this carefully. carefully Find key words that tell you what to do. Underline or circle them them. Number each task you are asked to do.

Practice!
Many skills are used daily, and others skills are only used in special situations. In fact, it y p , is often said that the less we use a particular skill, the more this skill deteriorates. Conversely, th C l those skills we practice often, kill ti ft tend to improve. Some people even say Use it or Lose it Describe a special skill that you it. have learned. How did you first acquire this s , a d o skill, and to what extent have you been able a a b ab to utilize it in your life?

Practice!
Many people learn skills that they use daily, and others learn skills and daily only use them in special situations In fact, it is often said that the less Background we use a particular skill, the more this skill deteriorates. Conversely, info those skills we practice often, tend to improve. Some people even

Describe a special skill 2 that you have learned. How did you 3 first acquire this skill, and to what extent have you been able to utilize it in your life?
say Use it or lose it.

Brainstorming Strategies
Clustering
Learned from L df lifeguard job 2010 First aid (skill) Help th H l others and feel confident Work under pressure (calm)

CPR/AED

Basic first aid

Helped during a car accident Paul last July

I. I

Listing

First Aid/CPR/AED Learned last summer Lifeguard job Used it during that job Used it during a car accident Developed my confidence Able to work under pressure

II.

Intro A. First Aid is a useful skill 1. good for jobs 2. help in an emergency B. Thesis First Aid has been helpful in my life and used in difficult situations My experience A. How/what I learned 1. lifeguard training/summer job 2010 2. 2 basic skills, cpr coping with pressure skills cpr, B. How Ive used this skill 1. Difficult situation (Pauls car accident)

Outlining

Brainstorming Strategies
If you go blank, think of these areas: Home School Work Hobbies

Practice!
Choose a brainstorming technique and practice it with this topic: Many people learn skills that they use daily and others Many daily, learn skills and only use them in special situations. Describe a special skill that you have learned. How did you first acquire this skill, and to what extent have you been able to utilize it in your life?

Funnel Format - Introduction

Universal Truth or Hook
Related to the topic Applicable to most people

General
Informs the reader about your topic and your experience

Thesis
Presents your main idea(s) and argument(s)

Thesis Statements
How long is a thesis statement? Where does it go? Wh d ? How much information does it have? What does it te t e reader? at t tell the eade Whom is the thesis about?

Tips for Body Paragraphs

Write topic sentences. Use the tell and show method Tell the reader something. Give an example to show the reader what you mean.
Tell: I became a much healthier person after taking the stress management class. Show: In fact, since taking the class I have lowered my blood pressure, started an exercise plan, and reduced my stress level tremendously. p , y y

What else can I write?

Why is this important? What were you thinking during the event/process? What changed? What stayed the same? What do you think will happen in the future?

Tips for Body Paragraphs

Use imagery and detail. 5 senses set the scene set scene Dialog, thoughts Use U personal examples. l l life experience experience of others p who, what, where, when, why, how Vocabulary Use a variety of vocabulary. Avoid repetition.

Funnel Format - Conclusion

Summarize Main Points
Summarize the focus of the essay y

Expand your ideas and offer analysis

What did you learn from experience? How has the topic proven to be significant?

Closing Statement
Leave the reader with something to think about

Linguistic Etiquette and Norms for Writing

Things to avoid:

2nd person Avoid ing o A oid using you. Slang, Jargon Abbreviations, Abbreviations Acronyms Contractions Starting Sentences with It and Coordinating g g Conjunctions Asking questions without answering them Writing to the reader

Multiple Choice
Download the WST Bulletin from the Testing Departments website for a list of test question types. (The bulletin is currently undergoing revision.)
Sentence Structure 25% Strategy 21% Style 21% Organization 14% O i ti Grammar 11% Punctuation 8%

Multiple Choice
Skim the passage Read the answers Eliminate wrong answers Read the question in the passage (one line above and one ( li b d line below) Pick Guess
The following questions are taken from Barrons CSU Writing Exams book.
Photo from cartoonstock.com

Multiple Choice

(Skim, Understand, Eliminate, Pick, Guess)

The very idea of community among nations are unique. From the citystates of ancient Greece to the modern nations of our era, communities have to join forces to defend their individual interests.
A. NO CHANGE B. B had been C. is D. were F. NO CHANGE G. had G h d H. will have had J. have had
Passage taken from the WST Information Bulletin

Pronouns
In todays society, being a woman does not automatically mean exclusion from certain jobs; studies show that women are more likely to be considered for physically demanding jobs gj today, especially if she is between the ages of 25-39.
A. NO CHANGE B. they are between C. shes between D. he or she is between

Pronouns
Smoking for an extended period of time can negatively affect a persons lung and heart function and ultimately prevent them from achieving their optimum health.
A. B. C.

D.

NO CHANGE Prevent one from achieving their optimum health. Prevent one from achieving his or her optimum health. Prevent him or her from achieving their optimum health.

Punctuation
What lies behind the creative genius of our greatest authors has been the subject of speculation over the past two centuries. There is little doubt that many of the worlds creative geniuses experienced miserable lives most often, they suffered a personal and extreme brand of deprivation that profoundly d h f dl affected the quality of their lives.
A. NO CHANGE B. authors C. authors, D. authors F. NO CHANGE G. G worlds ld H. worlds J. worlds, A. NO CHANGE B. lives: C. lives; D. lives,

Agreement
A committee of scientists critical of the move toward robotics believe that existing methods for g controlling and preprogramming the typical robot is appropriate for only a limited number of jobs in nuclear facilities, mainly because it simply require too much supervision.
A. NO CHANGE B. believe C. believes D. have believed A. NO CHANGE B. were C. are D. will be A. NO CHANGE B. it simply required C. C they simply require D. it simply requires

Parallelism
Operators and manufacturers of nuclear reactor power facilities are making increased use of robots to improve operations and maintenance, lower operating costs, costs increasing plant availability and equipment reliability, enhanced worker safety, and y, reduce exposure to radiation.
A. B. C. C D. NO CHANGE increases increase increased

A. NO CHANGE B. enhancing C. enhances D. enhance

Word Choice
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky is a topical novel dealing with philosophical doctrines, and political and social issues widely discussed in Russia just after the 1861 reforms. By most critical essays, treating Dostoevskys work Dostoevsky s has employed psychological or biological points of view.
A. No change B. politically C. liti C politics D. that are political F. F No change G. Because of most critical essays H. Most critical essays, J. Most critical essays y A. No change B. have employed C. should employ D. employ

Rhetorical Style/Strategy
Example question types: E l i Who is the audience for this passage? How is this passage arranged? Which of these sentences would best support the p g p ideas in paragraph 4? Suppose the writer wanted to change x, which sentence would be best What kind f d t il Wh t ki d of details would be best ld b b t Which sentence would be a good introductory sentence to paragraph 3? What is the most logical order for the paragraphs in this passage?

Putting Paragraphs In Order

Clues to Putting Paragraphs Together
Introduction or Conclusion
General/Specific Specific/General p /

Topic Sentences Transitions a sto s Days, Months, Years Names

Putting Paragraphs In Order

1. 1

It will have a big impact, Macaulay said concerning the strike going to next It impact year. Mainly for the safety of ourselves as well as guests that we have over at hour house, he said regarding inspections. A strike of San Jos building inspectors could affect off campus SJSU residents, off-campus residents said Tom Briam, president of the Association of Building, Mechanical, and Electrical Inspectors. Macaulay said if the strike continues the fraternity will have to rely on its alumni y y y to find a way to get the house inspected. Tyler Macaulay, a senior business management major and president of Beta Theta Pi, said his fraternity is not highly affected by the strikes now because they just h d inspections a couple of months ago, but they will be affected if the strike had l f h b h ll b ff d f h k continues next year.

2. 2

3.

4.

A. 2,1,3,4 B. 1,2,4,3 B 1243 C. 2,4,1,3 D. 1,3,4,2

Passage taken from The Spartan Daily. December, 2007.

Rhetorical Style/Strategy
According to the American Cancer Society, there is a 20% increase in the number of teen smokers and a similar decrease in the number of anti-smoking programs in middle schools. gp g Therefore, there is a great need to develop these new community and school programs to target teens at risk for developing a smoking habit. Although costly, such programs are p g g g y, p g proven to produce long term benefits. Readers are most likely to regard the passage as: A. Informative B. Persuasive C. Inspirational D. Pleading

Rhetorical Style/Strategy
According to the American Cancer Society, there is a 20% increase in the number of teen smokers and a similar decrease in the number of anti-smoking programs in middle schools. gp g Therefore, there is a great need to develop these new community and school programs to target teens at risk for developing a smoking habit. Although costly, such programs are p g g g y, p g proven to produce long term benefits. The audience of this passage is likely p g y A. Board of Education officials B. Teachers C. P C Parents t D. Teens

Rhetorical Style/Strategy
According to the American Cancer Society, there is a 20% increase in the number of teen smokers and a similar decrease in the number of anti-smoking programs in middle schools. Therefore, there is a great need to d d t develop these new community and school programs to target l th it d h l t t t teens at risk for developing a smoking habit. Although costly, such programs are proven to produce long term benefits. Suppose at this point the writer decided to add more information. Which information would be most logical? A. A case study of a teen affected by smoking B. A history of the tobacco industrys marketing to teens C. Statistics from similar programs in other school districts D. No information is needed.

How to Prepare
Barrons How to Prepare for the California State University Writing Proficiency Exams Time yourself and take the sample multiple choice tests (A-C). Correct your answers using the answer keys and explanations. Identify h t Id tif what area(s) of writing you want t i ( ) f iti t to improve (i.e. punctuation, tenses). Use the index and grammar section to search for specific grammatical rules.
Photo from betterworldbooks.com

How to Prepare
Practice WST multiple choice online at http://www.evc-cit.info/wst/ or with the Barrons WST Preparation guide Practice brainstorming with essay prompts Review grammar points READ: Elements of Style by William Strunk and E.B. White Rules for Writers by Diana Hacker The Goof Proofer by Stephan J. Manhard

Multiple Attempts
You can enroll in ENGL 100A or LLD 100A, and pass, to meet the WST requirement. Continue practicing and taking writing courses to assist you in meeting University writing standards. Visit tutors to review specific test taking/writing skills.
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