Department of Education
Kevin Huffman, Commissioner

Eleventh grade students respond to a persuasive prompt. The purpose of persuasive writing is to convince or influence the reader to agree with the writer. In well-written persuasion, the topic or issue is clearly stated, and the arguments are developed through the use of facts and examples. A writer may present the other side of an issue but must support his/her position clearly. Papers are scored holistically using a six-point scoring rubric.

2011-2012 TCAP Writing Assessment Prompt -Grade 11

  Writing Situation: The Supreme Court has ruled that random drug testing is constitutional for students who take part in sports or any other extracurricular activities.

  Directions for Writing:  Write an essay in which either (1) you support random drug tresting of all students or (2) you oppose random drug testing of all students.

Persuade the reader of your essay to accept your position.  Defend your opinion with specific reasons and examples.

2011-2012 Anchor Set - Grade 11

Score	Paper #	Paper #	Paper #	Paper #
Score 1	1	2	3	4
Score 2	1	2	3	4
Score 3	1	2	3	4
Score 4	1	2	3	4
Score 5	1	2	3	4
Score 6	1	2	3	4

2009-2010 TCAP Writing Assessment Prompt -Grade 11

Writing Situation:  In response to the recent string of school shootings, lawmakers are considering a measure to require teachers to carry handguns. 

Requiring teachers to have handguns would allow them to protect their students and themselves.  However, many people opposed to this law believe that arming teachers would actually increase the potential for school violence. 

Directions for Writing:  Write an essay in which either (1) you support a measure allowing teachers to carry handguns or (2) you oppose allowing teachers to carry handguns.

Persuade the reader of your essay to accept your position.  Defend your opinion with specific reasons and examples.

2008-2009 TCAP Writing Assessment Prompt -Grade 11

Writing Situation:  Research indicates that our society has become more violent.  Crime is on the rise in both urban and rural areas.  Many adults are convinced that popular movies and video games encourage young people to become violent.

Do you agree or disagree with the opinion that modern movies and/or video games have contributed to the rise of violent crime in the United States?

Directions for Writing:  Try to persuade the reader to support your point of view.  Support your position with specific reasons and examples.

2007-2008 TCAP Writing Assessment Prompt - Grade 11

Writing Situation:  At the present time, young Americans volunteer to enlist for military service.  To maintain our present military operations, more people may be needed.

Do you agree or disagree with the opinion that all Americans, both men and women, should be required to perform two years of military service?

Directions for Writing:  Write an essay in which you persuade the reader to support your point of view.  Support your position with specific reasons and examples.

2006-2007 TCAP Writing Assessment Prompt - Grade 11

Writing Situation: A law has been passed that requires high school students to pass exit tests before they graduate from high school.

Consider carefully the advantages and disadvantages of passing required exit tests.  Do you agree or disagree with making high-stakes exit tests, such as the Gateway Test, a requirement for high school graduation?

Directions for Writing: Write an essay in which you persuade the reader to support your point of view.  Support a position with specific reasons and examples.

2005-2006 TCAP Writing Assessment Prompt - Grade 11

Writing Situation: Many celebrities-such as actors, musicians, models, or athletes-make a great deal of money.  Some people think celebrities make more money than they deserve.  Other people think celebrities' wealth is deserved because of the enjoyment they bring to the public.

Do you agree or disagree that celebrities make more money than they deserve?

Directions for Writing: Now, write an essay in which you persuade the reader that your side of the issue is correct.  Use facts and examples to support your argument.

2004-2005 TCAP Writing Assessment Prompt - Grade 11

Writing Situation: Current research suggests that because teenagers have different sleep patterns, they would benefit from beginning the school day at a later time. Suppose your Board of Education has proposed that all high school schedules begin at 9:30 a.m. and end at 4:30 p.m.

Do you agree or disagree that this later schedule would be beneficial?

Directions for Writing: Now write an essay in which you persuade the Board of Education to agree with your opinion. Support your position with reasons and examples

2003-2004 TCAP Writing Assessment Prompt - Grade 11

Writing Situation: Due to potential problems, many school systems have adopted a policy that bans cell phones and pagers on school grounds. However, some parents have provided these items out of concern for safety.

Do you agree or disagree that cell phones and pagers should be banned on school grounds?

Directions for Writing: Now write an essay in which you convince the reader of your opinion. Support your position with specific reasons and examples

2002-2003 TCAP Writing Assessment Prompt - Grade 11

Writing Situation: A law has been passed changing the driver's license system to a graduated system. A young person can be issued a restricted learner's permit at age 15, an intermediate license at age 16 and a full license at age 17. Both the learner's permit and intermediate license limit the number of passengers allowed in a car and limit the hours the person can drive. The full license carries no restrictions.

Consider carefully the advantages and disadvantages of the graduated driver's license system. Do you agree or disagree with the graduated license system?

Directions for Writing: Now, write an essay in which you persuade the reader to support your point of view. Support your position with specific reasons and examples.

2001-2002 TCAP Writing Assessment Prompt - Grade 11

Writing Situation: A school board is considering keeping school in session all year. Instead of a long summer vacation, there will be many shorter breaks throughout the year.

Think about the effects of a twelve-month school year. Do you agree or disagree that schools should be in session all year?

Directions for Writing: Now, write an essay in which you persuade the reader why this is or is not a good idea. Defend your position with specific reasons supported by several detailed examples.

2000-2001 TCAP Writing Assessment Prompt - Grade 11

Writing Situation: In some countries, students are responsible for the basic daily cleaning of their school buildings. Fifteen minutes are set aside each day for all students to sweep, dust, and clean their classrooms and corridors.

Think about how you would feel if students were responsible for cleaning your school. Do you agree or disagree that American schools should adopt this policy?

Directions for Writing: Now, write an essay in which you persuade the reader why this is or is not a good idea. Defend your position with specific reasons supported by several detailed examples.

1999 - 2000 TCAP Writing Assessment Prompt - Grade 11

Writing Situation: Imagine that your school district has proposed saving money by eliminating extracurricular sports (football, basketball and baseball) from the high school program.

Think about the possible effects of cutting sports from the school program. Decide whether you are for or against this proposal.

Directions for Writing: Now write an essay in which you persuade the reader why this is or is not a good idea. Defend your position with specific reasons supported by several detailed examples.

1998-1999 TCAP Writing Assessment Prompt - Grade 11

Writing Situation: Many schools require all students to perform some type of community service such as working in nursing homes or hospitals.

Think about how you would feel if you were required to perform a community service.

Directions for Writing: Now write an essay in which you persuade the reader that students should or should not be required to perform community service. Defend your position with several detailed reasons. Develop those reasons with supporting examples.

1997-1998 TCAP Writing Assessment Prompt - Grade 11

Writing Situation: Since schools have seen a rise in gang violence, stealing, and discipline problems, many schools and school districts are considering requiring students to wear uniforms.

Think about how you would feel if you were required to wear a school uniform. Are there benefits or drawbacks to requiring students to wear school uniforms?

Directions for Writing: Now write an essay in which you persuade the reader that school uniforms should or should not be required. Defend your position with specific reasons supported by several detailed examples.