AECTP Writing Instruction 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which approach to teaching writing emphasizes craft, mentor texts, and mini-lessons targeting specific writing skills?
- Structured academic controversy
- The writing process approach
- Lucy Calkins' Units of Study / Workshop model (Correct answer)
- Direct instruction scripted curriculum
Correct answer: Lucy Calkins' Units of Study / Workshop model
Lucy Calkins' Units of Study model uses mentor texts and focused mini-lessons within a workshop framework to teach writing craft.
Question 2: A high school teacher assigns an argumentative essay on a current social issue. Which element is MOST critical for students to include?
- Personal anecdotes about the topic
- A counterargument and rebuttal (Correct answer)
- A chronological narrative of events
- Descriptive imagery of the setting
Correct answer: A counterargument and rebuttal
Strong argumentative writing addresses opposing viewpoints (counterargument) and explains why the writer's position is stronger (rebuttal).
Question 3: Which rubric dimension addresses whether a student's writing stays on topic and logically moves from point to point?
- Voice
- Word choice
- Organization (Correct answer)
- Conventions
Correct answer: Organization
Organization evaluates how well ideas flow logically, whether transitions are used, and whether the writing stays focused on the topic.
Question 4: A teacher notices that ELL students in her class struggle to write topic sentences. Which scaffold would be MOST effective?
- Requiring ELL students to write fewer sentences than peers
- Providing sentence frames such as 'In this paragraph, I will explain…' (Correct answer)
- Assigning only creative writing tasks that require no topic sentences
- Pairing ELL students with native speakers for all writing tasks
Correct answer: Providing sentence frames such as 'In this paragraph, I will explain…'
Sentence frames provide language support that allows ELL students to practice the academic structure of topic sentences while developing their own ideas.
Question 5: According to the 6+1 Traits of Writing model, which trait refers to the individual personality and passion that comes through in a piece of writing?
- Word choice
- Ideas
- Voice (Correct answer)
- Sentence fluency
Correct answer: Voice
Voice in the 6+1 Traits model refers to the unique style, tone, and personality of the writer that engages the reader.
Question 6: A 2nd-grade student is in the early stages of literacy development and writes using invented spelling. The teacher should PRIMARILY:
- Correct all spelling errors in red pen before the student shares the work
- Encourage the student to express ideas freely while noting developmental patterns for targeted instruction (Correct answer)
- Require the student to use a dictionary for every word before writing it
- Hold the student back from writing activities until conventional spelling is mastered
Correct answer: Encourage the student to express ideas freely while noting developmental patterns for targeted instruction
Invented spelling reflects phonemic awareness development; teachers should encourage idea expression while using error patterns to inform instruction.
Question 7: Which of the following BEST describes formative assessment in writing instruction?
- A standardized state writing test scored at the end of the year
- A final portfolio graded with a holistic rubric
- Ongoing observations, drafts, and conferences used to guide instruction (Correct answer)
- A single written essay given at the end of a unit
Correct answer: Ongoing observations, drafts, and conferences used to guide instruction
Formative assessment is ongoing and informs instruction in real time, unlike summative assessments that measure learning after instruction ends.
AECTP Writing Instruction 2
Which approach to teaching writing emphasizes craft, mentor texts, and mini-lessons targeting specific writing skills?