WRITING TO WIN

INTRODUCTION: Many students tend to flourish in college as they

find courses that spark an interest in them. Many are just learning the ins and outs of how to study, use self-discovery methods and piece together information into free flowing sentences while in the high school setting. Standardized tests can actually prevent the academic growth of some students by placing additional stress and pressure on them which creates an anxiety domino effect that leads to self doubt and sometimes can lead to academic problems. Students should be considered for college admittance based on their GPA, teacher recommendation and a personal interview, not a standardized test that can ultimately keep them from a chance to better their futures and become a responsible member of society.

Hook

Elaboration/Example

Thesis

BODY Standardized tests have taken over the

educational setting around the country to the extent that many students suffer from stress and testing anxiety more now than ever before. Children as young as elementary school age have been diagnosed with test anxiety , depression and self esteem issues all brought on by the over testing of America’s youth. The Department of Education has put extreme demands on the schools to raise the bar on academics which has caused many students to rebel against the very system that was put in place to help them become responsible, educated , self supporting citizens. As a result, test scores are not a true reflection of an individual’s academic abilities or a predictor of future success

Topic Sentence

Elaboration Examples Details

Ties back to the thesis

COUNTER ARGUMENT Many Legislators who have not been in the

educational setting for many years may argue that this is the way to compete with other countries such as China. Unfortunately, our society and our daily lives are not set up the same as those in the Orient. Our basic way of life and overall upbringing is not as structured as those in other countries. Our children are not regimented from the time of early childhood that education is the main focus of life. Chinese children have been trained that 12 hours a day is devoted to learning. The other hours are devoted to family interaction, work outside the home and then social interaction with friends. Meanwhile, our younger generation is believed to be below average academically which fosters a belief among these legislators that the need for more rigor is vital to the success of our young people and our country.

Counter argument made by opposition.

Weakness of the counter argument.

Purpose of the counter argument.

THE CONCLUSION These tests that take place regularly on campuses

across the country are not the way to truly measure a students’ potential success on a college campus. There are other ways to evaluate each individual. Classrooms have become a training ground for test formats and regurgitation of information, not individual growth or independence. Admissions personnel need to be focused on the potential of the applicant as a whole , not numbers spit out of a computer based on a paper test or an essay response that is written to appease the grader. Colleges can access if the individual will be a good fit to their environment, will be successful in their programs and will be worthy of representing their legacy much more accurately through teacher recommendations and personal interviews.

Topic Sentence – ties back to the thesis

Support for previous statement.

Call to action Reason behind

the call to action – Strong Finish!