Identify Type of Writing

Based on the story “Down and Out” that you have just read, how can the reader tell that life during the Great Depression was a struggle? Use specific examples from the passage to support your answer. Your writing will be scored based on the development of ideas, organization of writing, and language conventions of grammar, usage, and mechanics.

• Explanatory/Informative

• Opinion

• Narrative

Do you think “Time for Tea and Crumpets” is a good title for this story? Why or why not? Be sure to use details from the story to support your answer. Your writing will be scored based on the development of ideas, organization of writing, and language conventions of grammar, usage, and mechanics.

• Explanatory/Informative

• Opinion

• Narrative

You have now read an article about the assigned seats in the cafeteria during lunchtime detailing what the good and bad things about assigned or unassigned seats for lunch are. Write an essay explaining your thoughts about seats in the cafeteria. Use information from the passage to prove your opinion. Your writing will be scored based on the development of ideas, organization of writing, and language conventions of grammar, usage, and mechanics.

• Explanatory/Informative

• Opinion

• Narrative

The newspaper article you just read stated that due to budgetary constrains, the school made the decision to eliminate all chromebooks within the upper grade classrooms. Based on information provided in the article about the money that would be saved, do you agree that this is the best decision? Write an essay detailing your opinion about their decision to eliminate all chromebooks. Use information provided in the newspaper article to defend your essay. Your writing will be scored based on the development of ideas, organization of writing, and language conventions of grammar, usage, and mechanics.

• Explanatory/Informative

• Opinion

• Narrative

You have read the data from the 2012 National Assessment of Educational Progress survey which gave information on the idea of homework in elementary schools. Based on the facts presented, explain why homework should or should not be given. Be sure to include reasons from the text that support your theory. Your writing will be scored based on the development of ideas, organization of writing, and language conventions of grammar, usage, and mechanics.

• Explanatory/Informative

• Opinion

• Narrative

Your class has read “Smartphones: Yes or No” to hear about both sides of the cell phone debate and whether or not students under the age of 13 should be allowed a phone. Based on the information presented in the text, explain why or why not young students should be allowed to have a phone of their own. Use data from the text to support your theory. Your writing will be scored based on the development of ideas, organization of writing, and language conventions of grammar, usage, and mechanics.

• Explanatory/Informative

• Opinion

• Narrative

You have read the passage called “Snooze Alarm” in which the author explains the positives and negatives of starting school at various times. In your opinion, should school start later or not? Write an essay explaining why schools should or should not start later. Use evidence from the passage to support your response. Your writing will be scored based on the development of ideas, organization of writing, and language conventions of grammar, usage, and mechanics.

• Explanatory/Informative

• Opinion

• Narrative

You have read the passage called “Triple Trip” in which the triplets, Blueit, Smith, and Frank all have fun on a school field trip and play pranks on their teacher. Think about one field trip you have taken. Write to tell what similarities there were between your trip and the trip that Blueit, Smith, and Frank took. Refer to details in the story in your writing. Your essay will be scored based on the development of ideas, organization of writing, and language conventions of grammar, usage, and mechanics.

• Explanatory/Informative

• Opinion

• Narrative

You have read the passage from “The Power of Pets” in which the author explains the positives and negatives of having pets. Do you think that children should have pets? Write an essay explaining why children should or should not have pets. Use evidence from the passage to support your response. Your writing will be scored based on the development of ideas, organization of writing, and language conventions of grammar, usage, and mechanics.

• Explanatory/Informative

• Opinion

• Narrative

You have read an excerpt from “The Adventures of Grandfather Frog,” a story about an old, wise frog who decides to go out into the Great World to learn something new. Explain how Mr. Toad and Jerry Muskrat help Grandfather Frog decide to go into the Great World. What did each character do to push Grandfather Frog to make this choice? Provide details and examples from the story to support your writing. Your writing will be scored based on the development of ideas, organization of writing, and language conventions of grammar, usage, and mechanics.

• Explanatory/Informative

• Opinion

• Narrative