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What is the WPA?

  • Writing Placement Assessment
  • You "TEST OUT OF" classes

Who needs to take it?

  • Every SDSU student
  • Not just transfer students

When does it need to be taken?

  • WPA needs to be taken during your first semester at SDSU

What happens if I don't take it?

  • Can't register for classes next semester!

So... how it is graded??

  • Scale of 1 to 10
  • 10 pts = CONGRATS, you "test out of" more class(es)!
  • 8~9 pts = Not too shabby. However, you will need 1 additional writing class.
  • 7 pts or lower = 2 additional writing classes needed.

I got lower than "8 pts", I feel like I could do better...

  • Of course you can!
  • You can take the WPA TWICE!
  • Students that scored less than 8 are ENCOURAGED to retake the WPA!

The material will be Rhetorically based

(Google "Rhetorical strategies", it's very helpful)

WPA Prompt:

Craft a coherent essay (i.e. one that is not just a series of paragraph responses to the prompt) in which you respond (in an appropriate order) to all of the following components: identify and provide a brief summary of the author’s argument; describe and discuss two strategies that the author uses to support his or her argument; describe the overall structure of the reading selection and explain whether it furthers the aims of the author’s argument; discuss the premise(s) and/or assumption(s) on which the argument is based: evaluate the extent to which you find the argument convincing.

This essay is not an “agree or disagree” exercise, nor is it intended to generate an extensive summary of the article. Responses that emphasize personal opinion or summary will not earn a passing score.

Identify: Clearly label and provide examples of the strategies, structure, and assumptions used by the author.

Describe, Explain, Discuss: Thoroughly explain how the author is using this information to support his/her argument. Consider the author’s motivation for utilizing this particular piece of evidence; how did he/she think it would help to further convince the readers?

Evaluate: Consider the effectiveness of the devices used by the author: do these devices strengthen or weaken the argument? Why? Why not? Did this particular device help to convince the audience? Why? Why not?

120 minutes to read and write

15-20 minutes to read prompt and article

80-90 minutes to write your essay

15-20 minutes to edit and proofread

FOCUS - Does the essay address all aspects of the prompt?

ANALYSIS - Is your analysis of the author's argument reasonable, credible, and thorough?

ORGANIZATION - Does your idea "flow" from one sentence to anther? *don't read like a list

DEVELOPMENT - Details and specific examples?

SYNTAX, DICTION, and GRAMMAR - You may be less in control of these details in the days leading up the test. However, the FOCUS, ORGANIZATION, and DEVELOPMENT aspects of your essay ARE in your control.

  • Introduction with Thesis Statement
  • Summary of Author's Argument
  • Author's Rhetorical Strategy #1
  • Author's Rhetorical Strategy #2
  • Overall Structure of Article
  • Premise and/or assumption of argument
  • How convincing is the argument? (conclusion)
  • Irony - humor or sarcasm
  • Repetition - word pattern
  • Metaphors - "life is like a box of chocolates"
  • Exemplification - factual information and statistics
  • Symbolism - "Tree as a symbol of life"
  • Analogy - Comparison to show similarity between two things
  • Rhetorical Question - Device used to encourage reflection within the reader
  • Appeal to Authority - Professional opinions
  • Aristotle's Persuasive Appeals - Ethos, Logos, Pathos

Make sure to address the

entire prompt and you will

do fine!

Elements of the WPA

SDSU WPA

Helpful Websites on Rhetorical Strategies

Common Things to Look For When Writing

http://rhetoric.sdsu.edu/

http://rhetoric.byu.edu/

http://www.nvcc.edu/home/lshulman/rhetoric.htm

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/588/04/

http://academic.luzerne.edu/microcomp/ENG101_MicroComp_RhetoricalStrategies.htm

INTRO

  • Be careful of "you" and "like".
  • Avoid using "talks about" and "says".
  • Never assume the readers know what you are trying to say.
  • Create attention-grabbing and informative topic sentences.
  • Avoid referring to the author by his/her first name.
  • Use specific examples to support your choice of rhetorical strategy.
  • Explain HOW the strategy chosen supports the argument.
  • When introducing the next strategy, use a transition: "Another strategy used to expand Author'sLastName's argument is..."

5 Things the Readers Are Looking For

Common Rhetorical Strategies

Discuss the Premise(s) and/or Assumption(s) on Which the Argument is Based

Identify:

  • the premise on which the argument is based
  • Where in the text this premise is evident

Briefly discuss how/why the author bases the argument on this premise. Does it strengthen the argument?

Seems pretty important...

Analyze:

The effectiveness of this premise/assumption

- Would we find it valid/reasonable?

- Was it used appropriately? Why? Why not?

General Outline

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