Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) Early Childhood Practice Exam

Which writing task best develops students' ability to write for a specific audience in a recycling project?

1. A progress report for the classroom bulletin

2. Personal journal entries about participation

3. An announcement for the class events calendar

4. A letter to the school principal

The correct answer is: A letter to the school principal

Writing a letter to the school principal is an effective task for developing students’ ability to write for a specific audience in a recycling project. This type of writing requires students to consider the perspective, interests, and concerns of the principal, which encourages them to tailor their message accordingly. By addressing the principal—a figure of authority within the school—the students must think about how to present their ideas persuasively and succinctly, making it essential to emphasize important points that would resonate with that audience. In contrast, other writing tasks may not require the same level of audience consideration. For example, progress reports for the classroom bulletin might be more general in nature and not as tailored to a specific individual's perspective. Personal journal entries focus on personal experiences, lacking the need to adapt the writing for others. Similarly, announcements for the class events calendar generally aim to inform rather than persuade, which means there is less emphasis on audience awareness compared to writing to a principal. These aspects make writing a letter to the principal a stronger choice for developing the skill of writing for a specific audience.