Reflections After our Conferences

I've really enjoyed conferencing with all of you over the last few days; I look forward to continuing these conferences and reading the resulting and inevitable awesomeness.

Some general ideas that I want to make sure everyone knows:

• Testing Strategies: You're only going to write 1 persuasive essay on test day. YES, you do have time to brainstorm and plan. You can use a dictionary and thesaurus on the entire exam, and you can take the exam in any order you like. You can do the essay first, reading first, anything you like. We'll talk next Tuesday (March 31) about personalized pacing and order.
• Essay Priorities: Hooks, counterarguments, rebuttals, calls-to-action, all of these are not required. They are options. You, as the writer, have to look at the topic and decide which of these work best for the topic. Trust your gut. You must have a thesis, example/topic, and a persuasive tone.
• The Tricky Truth: Nowhere on the rubric does it say you have to tell the truth. This is a writing exam, not a truth test. You can embellish and make up details all you want, but please make sure you're keeping your details and creativity believable. To persuade, you (the writer) have to come across as knowledgeable, someone the audience can listen to - someone reliable. And they won't believe you or listen to you if you make up random details and impossible stories or scenarios. 

Four school days left, y'all.