Fanshawe Writ Test Help

Things You Need To Know About the Writ

Fanshawe college provides very little information about the Writ test, and even tells you that you don't need to study for it. Don't believe them! They are looking for a very specific type of formal essay, and if you don't use the proper format you will most likely fail and have to take the 15 week Writ course. I can only speculate as to the reason for not giving potential students a heads-up on what the test is all about, but this web page has been created to give you that information. It is meant as a guide, and does not provide comprehensive instructions on how to write a formal, five paragraph essay.

General Details About the Test

When to Write

The test is run every day, twice a day for a couple of months. You can sign up for any day, and even walk in and sign up on that day. My only recommendation is not to write it on a Fanshawe college Head Start day. On this day the test room can be crowded and the testing people are very busy making sure that everyone can log onto the computers. On other days, especially if you go in the first week of testing, there are likely to be only a few people writing and it will be quieter, and easier for you to ask questions of the testers.

There is also an option to write the test from your home or other location. There is a fee (~$30) and very specific conditions your writing area must adhere to. You need a webcam so they can monitor you and your testing area. You can't have any resources available in the room (e.g. other electronic devices) and it must be quiet and free of potential interruptions. There are more details on the Fanshawe Online site.

Testing Procedures

You will be given a coin which works with the lockers in the hall outside the testing centre on the Fanshawe college London campus (room F2006 is where it currently resides). Leave everything in the locker, especially your cell phone, but you can bring in a pen and blank paper ( to make notes and a plan for your essay). You must know your student number and password to be able to get onto the Fanshawe Online site.

Once you have logged onto the computer you will go through a few pages of instructions before you begin the Writ test. Once you press the button to start you have 50 minutes to finish. Press the save button whenever you type in anything significant, just in case there is a computer problem at some point during the test. After 50 minutes you will be locked out of the test. Anything you've saved up to that point will be submitted after you press the submit button.

Writing the Writ

You will be writing a five paragraph persuasive essay using at least one counterargument in response to a short article which covers some educational topic. As an example of an article that has been used previously see "Colleges Should Get Out of the Entertainment Business," by Harriet Spiros (this site also has a sample essay). The essay should be in formal language - never use "I," always use third person.

Below are the instructions you are given after the article, and some tips for writing your essay.

Step 1 - Read and summarize the article

  • Write down the important points from each paragraph, paying attention to the first and last sentences of the paragraph.

  • Be careful of time - 50 minutes is not a lot to write a complete essay, try not to take more than 15 minutes reading and summarizing.

Step 2 - Develop a thesis & write an introduction

  • Look at the summary. Do you agree or disagree with the author's position (or a little of both)? Write down your position and the reason for it in one sentence (this is your thesis).

  • In your thesis include three specific points that support your thesis (and counter or support the author's ideas).

  • Your introductory paragraph will be 5 or more sentences.

Writ instructions

  • The first sentence will be: In "Title of Article," Author Name states (infers/claims...) [then give the author's main idea]

  • The next few sentences are the summary.

  • The final sentence is your thesis and three supporting points. Be specific: your thesis should be a critical claim about the article.

  • Don't use "I," stay formal.

Step 3 - Write the three body paragraphs

  • Each of these paragraphs (one for each specific point that supports your thesis) will be at least 5 sentences.

  • Your opening sentence is the topic sentence which directly ties to one of your thesis points.

  • The next three sentences are specific examples or reasons that support your topic sentence.

  • Don't use "I," stay formal.

  • At least one of these 3 paragraphs should contain an objection a reader might have to your argument. You can state the objection and then say why it should be ignored.

  • The concluding sentence should tie back to your thesis and show you are going on to a new point: start this sentence with "Hence," "Therefore," "By implementing this suggestion," or something of that nature.

Step 4 - Write a concluding paragraph

  • Summarize your thesis and main points using different words than you wrote in the introduction.

  • Your final sentence should be a notable statement which:

    • offers another advantage of your proposal

    • predicts what might happen if your thesis is not followed

    • further explains the problems you have identified in the author’s article

WRIT Rubric.pdf

Evaluation of the Writ

Fanshawe college uses a double blind marking method - two people mark your Writ essay without knowing who you are, and the two marks are compared. If the two marks are significantly different then the essay is looked at more closely. A specific rubric is used and you must get an average of 16/24 to pass the test and avoid the course.

If you fail the Writ test but feel that you have not been evaluated correctly there are a couple of things you can do:

  • Contact Fanshawe college's Writ coordinator and ask to go over your test and the evaluations.

  • File a formal appeal concerning the test - this will be difficult to win without some kind of evidence to back your claim, but you can get help from the Fanshawe ombuds office.

Sample Failed Writ Assessment with Rubrics

Failed Writ Assessment.pdf
Rubric1 for Failed Writ Assessment.pdf
Rubric 2 for Failed Writ Assessment.pdf