FCAT Writing SUPPORT

Support the quality of details illustrating or explaining the central theme

Bare use of simple lists that focus on events or reasons. "I like to go to school because it is fun."

Extender use of information that begins to clarify meaning.

"I like to go to school because it is fun when the teacher allows us to do experiments with frogs."

Elaborated use of additional details, anecdotes, illustrations, and examples that further clarifies meaning.

Information that answers the question, "What do you mean?"

"I like to go to school because it is fun when the teacher allows us to do experiments with frogs instead of just reading about frogs in books. Experiments allow us to have the fun of discovering for ourselves how far and fast frogs can jump and what kinds of food frogs like to eat." (The elaboration could provide a detailed description of the experiments.)