Study Guides and Resources - Writing Subtest Study Guide, Grammar and Usage, Approaches and Strategies

Study Guides and Resources for the Communications and Literacy Skills Test
Writing Subtest Study Guide - Written Mechanics (Dictation), Approaches and Strategies

The dictation section is the first thing you will encounter on the day of the test. You will listen to a passage read three times on audiotape. The first time the passage will be read at "normal" speed. The second time it will be read slowly, and then you will hear it a last time at "normal" speed. Your task is to transpose the spoken word to the written word, utilizing correct spelling, punctuation, and capitalization.

To prepare:

Practice the grand old art of listening. Ask a friend to read a short paragraph out loud and try your hand at writing that paragraph.
Learn the most basic rules of punctuation.
Be aware of homonyms (words that sound the same but mean different things) there, they’re, and their/ hear and here.
Re-learn the basic rules of capitalization by reading a grammar handbook.

To Take:

Listen carefully
On the first read, try to get the main idea of the passage.
On the second read, write the passage out using your own style of shorthand.
On the third read, make corrections and revisions to this first draft.
Then re-write the passage in the remaining space, paying attention to your punctuation, capitalization, and spelling.

Table of Contents | Writing Subtest Study Guide | Sample Questions

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