Persuasive writing requires you to present an argument in favor of some kind of action. You must construct an essay based on a topic that may be controversial. In some cases, you are offered the choice of making a persuasive argument in favor of, or against, a specific situation. For example, the essay topic situation may be: "Parents should have unlimited access to the websites their teenagers frequent because of safety concerns." The directions would then ask you to think about a teenager's privacy versus the concerns of his parents, and the prompt would ask you to write an essay that supports a teenager's right to privacy as it relates to computer use or supports a parent's right to monitor their child's computer habits.
Expository topics on the FCAT 8th grade writing exam are designed to measure your ability to explain, define or describe something using clear, detailed writing. On the FCAT writing exam, you are first given a topic, such as responsible spending habits. You would then be asked to think about the importance of teenagers developing smart ways to spend and save their money. Then, you would write an essay that explains why it's important for teenagers to learn about using money wisely. The essay must contain specific details, such as learning how to save, and the value of appreciating the hard work required to earn money.
You can employ several strategies to help you do well on the 8th grade FCAT writing exam. Read the prompt several times to make sure you understand the exact nature of the essay you are instructed to write. Next, organize your ideas in a logical manner, first developing an introduction to your essay that states your thesis, then writing the body of your essay to support your point of view. Vary your sentences to keep the essay readable and use active voice whenever possible. For example, instead of writing, "I felt that teachers should not limit our freedom," write, "I feel teachers shouldn't limit our freedom." When you are finished writing, review your essay for spelling errors and look for areas where you can cut words to make your writing simpler.
The 8th grade FCAT writing exam gives you 45 minutes to read the topic, understand the requirements and write your essay. You are given a separate planning sheet on which you can create a short outline, organize your thoughts and write a rough draft. The planning sheet will not be scored and is not used in any way to evaluate your actual essay. Scoring is determined by how well you structure your essay and how clearly you express your thoughts on a topic. Dictionaries and other reference materials are not allowed during the writing test.