PCMAS: ENGLISH PORTION

This is some helpful Information for those who are taking the PCMAS in Puerto Rico.  However, this is only information about the English portion...Good Luck!  I would like to thank all the websites out there that made this happen...

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Problem and Solution

A Well-Defined Problem 

A proposal is written to offer a solution to a problem. Before presenting the solution, a proposal writer must be sure that readers know what the problem is. The writer may also have to establish that the problem indeed exists and is serious enough to need solving. Sometimes a writer can assume that readers will recognize the problem. At other times readers may not be aware of the problem. 

Cause and Effect

  • Is an analysis that explains the causes of something or the effects of something.
  • Topic sentence mentions the topic and suggests whether the causes or effects will be explained.
  • Details can be explanations, examples, descriptions, or narration.


Process Paragraph

  • Explains how something is done.
  • Topic sentence shows topic and why the reader must understand it.
  • Details are steps to do or not to do.
  • Arrange details in Chronological order


Compare and Contrast

  • Show both similarities and differences of an issue or topic.
  • Topic sentence: includes topic and viewpoint and identifies whether you will compare or contrast or both.
  • Order details by subject by subject order or by Point by Point details (alternates) 


Classification

  • Places items in groups according to some principle.
  • Parts of a Classification paragraph:
  • Topic sentence
  • Details (group to classify)
  • Conclusion


Argumentation

  • Aims to convince the reader to think or act a certain way
  • Supporting details are the reasons for the writer’s opinion about something.
  • Write in emphatic order: weak pt , #strong pt, and #2pt or #2pt, weak pt and strong pt


Description paragraphs

  • Gives the reader a mental picture of what is happening or being described.
  • The writer chooses words and details that will clearly paint that mental picture.
  • Usually uses transitions that signal spatial order
  • Sensory details 


Narration

  • is told from a particular point of view
  • makes and supports a point
  • is filled with precise detail
  • uses vivid verbs and modifiers
  • uses conflict and sequence as does any story
  • May use dialogue
  • Must answer the 5 w’s in the supporting details

The purpose of a narrative report is to describe something or story telling

Exposition

The gradual, continual exposing of information in a way that keeps the reader reading at a pace evocative of the emotion that the writer wishes to convey (Fallon, 2003). 

Exposition is a type of oral or written discourse that is used to explain, describe, give information or inform.

Author's Purpose, Style and Tone

This is an insight to why and what the writer is attempting to do and achieve.

Context Clues

Learning new words when reading

Irregular verb tenses

This is a website with a list of irregular verbs.  http://www.gsu.edu/~wwwesl/egw/verbs.htm

FALSE COGNATES

There are just some of the false cognates that exist...be careful with what you use and how you use it.....

Prepositions

PREPOSITIONS

Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite Pronouns