DEMONSTRATION ONLY: This demonstration presents an abbreviated version of the complete MTEL course. Click 'Next' at the bottom of the screen or make a selection from the links on the left to begin. Not all links are available for the demo.

Writing Competencies Tested on the MTEL

The MTEL Writing subtest consists of a 35 item Multiple-Choice Test, 7 Short-Answer questions, and 2 Writing Summary assignments (a Writing Summary and a Composition Exercise). The skills addressed in this subtest require demonstration of the ability to write effectively at the college level.

An outline showing the objectives and descriptive statements is shown below. Each part includes one or more objectives and is expanded upon by descriptive statements. Descriptive statements provide examples of the range, type, and level of content that may appear on the test for questions measuring the objective.

0007 Understand Methods for Establishing and Maintaining a Central Theme or Main Idea

• Identify Effective Thesis Statements and Topic Sentences
• Identify Information, Statements, or Details that Detract from the Development of a Main Idea
• Identify Ineffective Repetition and Redundancy
• Reorganize Sentences or Paragraphs to Achieve a Logical Sequence of Ideas
• Identify Effective Transitions from One Paragraph to Another
  

0008 Recognize Common Errors of Sentence Construction, Grammar, and Usage

• Identify Sentence Fragments and Run-on Sentences
• Identify Verbs in the Wrong Tense or Form, Incorrect Shifts in Tense or Person, Lack of Subject-Verb Agreement, and Wrong or Missing Verb Endings
• Identify Vague Pronoun References, Lack of Agreement between Pronouns and Antecedents, and Incorrect Shifts in Pronoun Person and Number
• Identify Misplaced or Dangling Modifiers
• Identify Wrong or Missing Prepositions
• Identify Incorrect Use of Relative Pronouns (that, which, who)
• Identify Imprecise or Inappropriate Words and Phrases
• Identify Common Errors in the Use of Homonyms (accept/except, affect/effect, its/it's, their/there/they√åre, to/too/two, weather/whether, who's/whose, your/you're)
  

0009 Recognize Common Errors of Spelling, Capitalization, and Punctuation

• Identify Common Spelling Errors
• Identify Common Errors in Standard Capitalization
• Identify Missing Commas After An Introductory Phrase and Missing Commas in a Compound Sentence
• Identify Missing or Misplaced Apostrophes
  

0010 Demonstrate the Ability to Analyze and Revise Sentences Containing Common Errors of Sentence Construction, Grammar, Usage, Spelling, Capitalization, and Punctuation

• Revise Sentences to Correct Errors Related to Sentence Construction
• Revise Sentences to Correct Common Errors Related to Grammar and Usage
• Revise Sentences to Correct Common Errors Related to Spelling, Capitalization, and Punctuation
  

0011 Demonstrate the Ability to Prepare An Effective Summary

• Summarize the Main Ideas, key Arguments, and Significant Supporting Details Presented in An Extended Passage
• Demonstrate Effective Paragraph and Sentence Construction
• Demonstrate Command of Standard English Conventions of Grammar and Usage, Without Making Common Errors
• Demonstrate Command of Standard English Conventions of Spelling, Capitalization, and Punctuation, Without Making Common Errors Field 01: Communication and Literacy Skills Test Objectives
  

0012 Demonstrate the Ability to Prepare a Well-organized and Focused Piece of Writing for a Given Purpose and Audience, Using Standard English Conventions

• Take a Position On An Issue, Proposition, or Statement Related to Education and Defend that Position
• Maintain a Central Theme or Main Idea Through the Effective Use of a Thesis Statement, Topic Sentences, and Transitions
• Develop a Well-organized Argument Using Sound Reasoning and Relevant Supporting Information And/or Examples
• Demonstrate Effective Paragraph and Sentence Structure and Employ Vocabulary Appropriate for the Audience and the Purpose of the Writing Task
• Use Precise and Appropriate Words and Phrases
• Demonstrate Command of Standard English Conventions of Grammar and Usage, Without Making Common Errors
• Demonstrate Command of Standard English Conventions of Spelling, Capitalization, and Punctuation, Without Making Common Errors
  

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