Monday, October 14th

Prepare for District Writing Assessment which is Tuesday, October 15th.

Prompt options:Narrative

OR....Argument

You pick ONE. Pick the type of writing that is easiest for YOU or that you feel confident in!

MUST BE PROSE: (story or essay)

Your story/essay will be scored using the 6 Trait Writing Rubric.

Ideas and content:The paper is clear and focused.The topic is narrow and manageable.Relevant details are used.Ideas are fresh and original.

Organization:1) Inviting introduction/lead

*Read the lead from your choice book. What type of lead did the author use?2) Logical order of events or sequencing* Remember the plot activity3) Transitions create flow4) Strong, powerful conclusion

Voice:Heart and soul of writingReader feels strong interaction with writerWriting is compelling, personal, engagingWriter takes a risk

Word Choice:Rich, colorful, precise languageWords and phrases create images in reader's mind, (use sensory details)Vivid VerbsNO DEAD WORDS: get, got, stuff, things, nice, said, says, you........

Sentence Fluency:Writing has flowSentences vary in lengthVary sentence beginningsWriting is easy to readDo NOT start sentences with but, so, and,....

Conventions:SpellingPunctuationGrammarCapitalizationParagraphing

Practice sentence beginnings:Complete the sentence below.1) Preparing for the day, 2) Shivering, 3) When I finally located the key, 4) Humiliated and scared,5) With tears in her eyes, 6) Desperately,

More interesting ways to start:1) Dripping with sweat,2) Hands shaking, feet trembling, the 3) Edging along the cliff, 4) Mind racing, 5) The raccoon, a midnight scavenger who roams for food,6) Red-eyed and angry, the moose

Compound Sentences:The ride felt like it actually slowed, but the world stopped spinning around it.

, and,so,but

Don't forget the dialogue:

"Are you sure you're not adopted?" I asked.

"I look like my dad," Sue explained, "but in other ways I take after my mother."

Using sensory details, strong action verbs, rewrite this sentence:A cool spider got in my stuff.