MTTC Professional Readiness Exam (Test #96) Writing
Objectives Aligned With On Line Resources and Tutorials
TEST OBJECTIVE
Fundamentals of
Effective Writing
Apply principles of
development,
organization, focus,
and cohesion.
DEFINITION &
DESIRED SKILL SET
RESOURCES & TUTORIALS

Recognizing effective position
statements, topic sentences,
and propositions
http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/lesson394/position-statement.pdf
http://www.sfu.ca/cmns/130d1/WritingaPositionPaper.htm
http://grammar.about.com/od/developingparagraphs/a/practicetopic.htm
http://kedatgym204.wikispaces.com/file/view/exercises_on_paragraph_writing.pdf
http://esl.fis.edu/learners/read/topic1.htm

Revising text to introduce and
conclude ideas effectively
http://www.uefap.com/writing/exercise/exwripar.htm
http://aacc.edu/supportcenter/file/formulatingaconcludingsentenceforapar.pdf
http://classroom.synonym.com/write-concluding-paragraph-4295.html
http://classroom.synonym.com/write-effective-conclusion-paragraph-essay-4870.html

Revising text to coordinate
and order ideas effectively
and to achieve a logical
development and sequence
of ideas
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/engagement/index.php?category_id=2&sub_category_id=1&article_id=
31
http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/writingprocess/focusedideas

Revising text to achieve
effective transitions between
ideas and to clarify
relationships among ideas
http://classroom.synonym.com/effective-writing-skills-paragraph-transitions-5451.html
http://classroom.synonym.com/transition-new-paragraph-4880.html

Revising text to eliminate
distracting or unnecessary
information from details

Revising text to achieve
precise and appropriate
language and to replace
imprecise or inappropriate
words or phrases
http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/writingprocess/revising
http://colelearning.net/who/module1/page52.html
http://www.eslus.com/LESSONS/WRITING/REV1/LA1.HTM
TEST OBJECTIVE
Fundamentals of
Effective Writing
DEFINITION &
DESIRED SKILL SET

Editing text to correct run-on
sentences and sentence
fragments

Editing text to create or to
improve the parallel structure
of words, phrases, or ideas

Editing text to eliminate
misplaced or dangling
modifiers; ambiguous
pronoun references; shift in
tense, mood, or point of view

Editing text to eliminate
wordiness, unnecessary
repetition of words, and
redundancy of ideas

Editing text to achieve the
effective placement and
emphasis of important
words, phrases, or ideas
Apply knowledge of
effective sentence and
paragraph formation.
RESOURCES & TUTORIALS
http://www.grammar-monster.com/glossary/run-on_sentence.htm
http://www.eslwriting.org/294/parallel-sentence-structure/
http://english.clas.asu.edu/files/shared/enged/ParallelStructure.pdf
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/644/1
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/cgi-shl/quiz.pl/parallelism_quiz.htm
http://www.grammar-monster.com/glossary/modifiers_modify.htm
http://www.grammar-monster.com/glossary/misplaced_modifier.htm
http://www.grammar-monster.com/index.html
http://colelearning.net/who/module1/page52.html
http://www.uefap.com/writing/exercise/exwripar.htm
http://www.writeexpress.com/emphasis.html
http://changingminds.org/techniques/language/modifying_meaning/emphasis.htm
http://www.butte.edu/departments/cas/tipsheets/style_purpose_strategy/definitions.html
TEST OBJECTIVE
Fundamentals of
Effective Writing
Demonstrate
command of the
conventions of
standard English
grammar, usage, and
mechanics
DEFINITION &
DESIRED SKILL SET
RESOURCES & TUTORIALS

Editing text to correct errors
in the standard use of verbs
and verb structures
http://www.grammar-monster.com/glossary/verb_definition.htm
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/index.htm

Editing text to correct errors
in the standard use of
pronouns and possessives
http://www.grammar-monster.com/glossary/possessive_case.htm
http://www.grammar-monster.com/glossary/possessive_adjectives.htm
http://www.grammar-monster.com/glossary/possessive_noun.htm
http://www.grammar-monster.com/glossary/possessive_personal_pronouns.htm
http://www.grammar-monster.com/glossary/possessive_pronouns.htm

Editing text to correct errors
in the standard use of
adjectives, adverbs,
comparatives, and
superlatives
http://www.grammar-monster.com/glossary/adjective_definition.htm
http://www.grammar-monster.com/glossary/adverb_definition.htm
http://www.grammar-monster.com/glossary/comparatives.htm
http://www.grammar-monster.com/glossary/superlatives.htm

Editing text to correct errors
in the standard use of
prepositions
http://www.grammar-monster.com/glossary/preposition_definition.htm

Editing text to correct errors
in the use of homonyms and
commonly confused words
and phrases
http://www.grammar-monster.com/glossary/homonyms.htm

Editing text to correct errors
in standard punctuation
http://www.grammar-monster.com/glossary/punctuation.htm

Editing text to correct errors
in standard spelling an
capitalization
http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/editing-and-proofreading/
http://www.benchmarkinstitute.org/wc/exercises/index.htm
TEST OBJECTIVE
Composition
Demonstrate the
ability to write
arguments to
support claims in an
analysis of
substantive topics,
using valid reasoning
and relevant and
sufficient evidence
DEFINITION &
DESIRED SKILL SET






RESOURCES & TUTORIALS
Analyzing the claims made in
substantive informational
text
http://english1bwilliams.wikispaces.com/Unit+4+-+Analyzing+Informational+Texts
Writing arguments that
introduce and support claims
and evaluate counterclaims
with clear reasons and
relevant evidence
Stating and maintaining focus
on key ideas through the use
of a clear thesis statement
and topic sentences
Organizing ideas effectively
and maintaining a logical
sequence of ideas
Establishing and maintaining
a formal style and objective
tone
Providing a conclusion that
follows from and supports
the argument presented
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/659/01/

Using language and
vocabulary that are clear,
precise, and appropriate

Using language that conforms
to the conventions of
standard English
http://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0LEVvoK8nlV9DgA6eMnnIlQ;_ylu=X3oDMTE0dGNlb2dqBG
NvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwM2BHZ0aWQDRkZYVUkyN18xBHNlYwNzcg-/RV=2/RE=1434083979/RO=10/RU=http%3a%2f%2fmmc.edzone.net%2fdocuments%2finstru
ction%2fInformational%2520TextMaddoxApril15.ppt/RK=0/RS=hg8qfZjG.srMNXsPTr7pfPVFh
FY-
http://www.belmont.edu/english/pdf/Writing%20an%20Argument.pdf
http://homeworktips.about.com/od/essaywriting/a/argument.htm
See the Fundamentals of Effective Writing section above
http://www.essayfocus.com/blog/formal-vs-informal-voice-choose-wisely/
http://www2.ivcc.edu/eng1002/tip_formal_writing_voice.htm
http://mrgunnar.net/english.cfm?subpage=347336
http://www.dailywritingtips.com/10-techniques-for-more-precise-writing/
http://www.ucalgary.ca/ssc/files/ssc/wss_pronouns_2013.pdf
http://grammar.about.com/od/rs/g/standengterm.htm
http://www.englishpractice.com/
TEST OBJECTIVE
DEFINITION &
DESIRED SKILL SET
RESOURCES & TUTORIALS
Composition

Introducing a topic in a
succinct and effective manner
http://thewritepractice.com/writing-succintly/
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/exercises/6/
Demonstrate the
ability to write

Organizing complex ideas,
concepts, and information so
that each new element builds
on that which precedes it to
create a unified whole
http://ocw.usu.edu/English/introduction-to-writing-academic-prose/organizing-anessay.html
http://www.benchmarkinstitute.org/wc/ci/writing-c2.htm

Developing the topic by
selecting significant and
relevant facts, definitions,
details, quotations, or other
information and examples
appropriate to the audience
http://www.studygs.net/writing/topic.htm
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/paragraphs.htm
http://www.edb.utexas.edu/minliu/pbl/ESOL/

Providing a conclusion that
follows from and supports
the information or
explanation presented

Using appropriate and varied
transitions and syntax to link
the major sections of the
text, create cohesion, and
clarify the relationships
between complex ideas and
concepts
Using precise language,
domain-specific vocabulary,
and techniques such as
figurative language and
analogy to manage the
complexity of the topics
http://rwc.hunter.cuny.edu/reading-writing/on-line/transi.html
http://www.learnenglish-online.com/writing/tests/transitions.html
http://www.sinclair.edu/centers/tlc/pub/handouts_worksheets/english/transitions.pdf
Using language that conforms
to the conventions of
standard English
http://grammar.about.com/od/rs/g/standengterm.htm
http://www.englishpractice.com/
informational/explanatory
texts that examine and
convey complex ideas,
concepts, and
information clearly and
accurately through the
effective selection,
organization, and
analysis of content


https://owl.english.purdue.edu/engagement/2/2/60/
http://mhreadingwonders.com/wpcontent/themes/readingwonders/docs/9431_Bear_Author_9-4.pdf
http://www.spellingcity.com/analogies.html
http://www.spellingcity.com/figurative-language.html
http://people.hsc.edu/drjclassics/syllabi/IH/analogies.shtm
http://people.hsc.edu/drjclassics/syllabi/IH/analogies.shtm
We encourage you to also review the MTTC PRE (test 96) Reading Objectives Resource Guide posted on our
website. It contains links that will be beneficial to improving writing skill sets.
Inspired by and compiled for our TRiO FESP students by: Marcy L. Peake, M’Myia Hughes and Katrina Goodall
“Be Prepared, Not Scared!” – Marcy L. Peake
“Action is the foundational key to all success” – Pablo Picasso
“Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought with ardor and diligence” – Abigail Adams