As Write2Xcel enters its sophomore year of existence, we are excited by the number of new students as well as teachers we will be serving this year. Subscription options for students vary by grade level and by the amount of help your student needs over the course of the year -- but click on the "How to Use Our Service" and "Subscription Information" tabs to find out more. For teacher resources, click on "Tools for Teachers."
As always, every student's first sample essay is free. We offer assistance with SAT writing, college admission essay practice, AP English Language and Literature, and the Texas writing assessments for grades 7 and 9-11. For more information, shoot us an email at write2xcel@gmail.com or call (817) 875-6056.
Monday, August 6, 2012
Monday, March 26, 2012
Happy STAAR Eve -- Tips for 7th Graders
If you're sitting for the 7th grade STAAR writing test tomorrow and Wednesday, here are some things to keep in mind:
Day 1 -- You'll see four revising and editing passages, each with a set of questions about possible changes for you to make. You'll also see one of the three essays -- this one will be either narrative or expository.
Day 2 -- You'll see the other two essays. Of the three essays, two will be of the same type (narrative or expository), and the third will be of the other type. You have four hours each day.
Last minute tips for you:
1. Read through the revising/editing passages quickly. Make a note of the verb tense out in the margin (present or past, generally). This will help you make decisions about verbs in the multiple choice questions, because the verb tense should not change.
2. As you're reading, highlight things that sound wrong. You don't have to fix them -- just mark them. This will help you in the questions, because you'll already have the right error in mind for many of the questions this way.
3. Use a dictionary to help you figure out word spellings. Even if you have to take the time to ask for a dictionary, it is worth not missing the question. Don't be lazy!
4. For the narrative essay, remember that it's personal -- write in first person. Even if you're writing about something that didn't happen to you, write as if it did. Also, remember to be believable. The reader doesn't know you, but if your story doesn't sound like it could have happened to someone by the 7th grade, you will suffer.
5. For the expository essay, pick a side of the argument in response to the quotation. If you want to do an "it depends" essay, you have to give examples supporting both sides. The evidence is what the readers will use to grade your work.
6. EDIT YOUR WORK! Spelling and grammar count this year more than they did with TAKS.
7. GOOD LUCK!
Day 1 -- You'll see four revising and editing passages, each with a set of questions about possible changes for you to make. You'll also see one of the three essays -- this one will be either narrative or expository.
Day 2 -- You'll see the other two essays. Of the three essays, two will be of the same type (narrative or expository), and the third will be of the other type. You have four hours each day.
Last minute tips for you:
1. Read through the revising/editing passages quickly. Make a note of the verb tense out in the margin (present or past, generally). This will help you make decisions about verbs in the multiple choice questions, because the verb tense should not change.
2. As you're reading, highlight things that sound wrong. You don't have to fix them -- just mark them. This will help you in the questions, because you'll already have the right error in mind for many of the questions this way.
3. Use a dictionary to help you figure out word spellings. Even if you have to take the time to ask for a dictionary, it is worth not missing the question. Don't be lazy!
4. For the narrative essay, remember that it's personal -- write in first person. Even if you're writing about something that didn't happen to you, write as if it did. Also, remember to be believable. The reader doesn't know you, but if your story doesn't sound like it could have happened to someone by the 7th grade, you will suffer.
5. For the expository essay, pick a side of the argument in response to the quotation. If you want to do an "it depends" essay, you have to give examples supporting both sides. The evidence is what the readers will use to grade your work.
6. EDIT YOUR WORK! Spelling and grammar count this year more than they did with TAKS.
7. GOOD LUCK!
Friday, March 23, 2012
Donald Sutherland and "The Hunger Games"
Is "The Hunger Games" just another two hours at the movies? Or could it lead to social change? See what Donald Sutherland has to say.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Writing Tip of the Week: Stephen King
This week's tip will help you out if you are about to write a narrative for the STAAR or EOC in English I in Texas, or if you are just interested in writing fiction.
Stephen King had this to say in his memoir On Writing.
One key to strong fiction is having honest, authentic characters. The people in your stories should all have flaws -- as well as strengths. You want your reader to feel that your characters are human beings so that your reader will connect to them on an emotional level. It is that connection that will pull your readers along with you.
Happy writing!
Stephen King had this to say in his memoir On Writing.
One key to strong fiction is having honest, authentic characters. The people in your stories should all have flaws -- as well as strengths. You want your reader to feel that your characters are human beings so that your reader will connect to them on an emotional level. It is that connection that will pull your readers along with you.
Happy writing!
Special for the Spring SAT
There are only two more testing dates for the SAT during the 2011-2012 school year: May 5 and June 12. The registration deadline for the May 5 administration is coming up -- April 6.
Because time is short, we are offering a special for students sitting for one of these two tests. After you've signed up (click on the "How to Use our System" tab), we will send you a prompt that you can try for free. Feedback will come within 1-2 days. If you are happy with our service but don't want to subscribe, you can have your student submit as many SAT practice essays as you want -- for $9 each. Click the dropdown on "Membership Options" and choose the SAT Writing option.
Because time is short, we are offering a special for students sitting for one of these two tests. After you've signed up (click on the "How to Use our System" tab), we will send you a prompt that you can try for free. Feedback will come within 1-2 days. If you are happy with our service but don't want to subscribe, you can have your student submit as many SAT practice essays as you want -- for $9 each. Click the dropdown on "Membership Options" and choose the SAT Writing option.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Writing Tip of the Week
Interested in becoming a sharper writer? This week's tip comes from the New York Times bestselling author Donald Miller. The skinny? Adjectives no, verbs yes. To see where he's coming from, and to see a cool example of annotation, click here.
Image credit: Mark Twain (1907). Photographer: A.F. Bradley. Public domain.
Mark Twain didn't like adjectives either. He said, "As to the adjective...when in doubt, strike it out."
Image credit: Mark Twain (1907). Photographer: A.F. Bradley. Public domain.
Mark Twain didn't like adjectives either. He said, "As to the adjective...when in doubt, strike it out."
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Free Seminars on Writing for the SAT and AP English Tests
Our next round of seminars starts March 20. We'll be holding one in each of the five branches of the Plano Public Library System. Click here for a full schedule and to sign up. It's free!
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