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Name: _________________________________ #:_____ Date: __________________________________ Period: _____ Section: WRITING

TYPES OF WRITING IN 7TH GRADE

Types of Writing Goal/Purpose

Informational/ Expository Writing

Goal of expository/informational writing: To provide information about a given topic using evidence to support the information that is being provided

Argumentative Writing

Goal of argumentative writing: To get reader to acknowledge that your argument is valid and deserves consideration; a counterclaims is provided to acknowledge an opposing viewpoint

Narrative Writing (Uses first person pronouns)

Goal of narrative writing: To tell a story; must include an introduction, plot ( exposition, conflict, rising action, climax, resolution)

An Important Rule for Informational and Argumentative Writing Prompts:

Never use first or second person pronouns because you lose credibility!

First Person Pronouns Second Person Pronouns

I, me, my, mine, us, we, us, our, ours, etc.

“Never use Pronouns that Include Yourself!”

You, Your, Yours, You’re

“Never Talk to the Reader.”

** If an expository prompt asks about your life experience specifically, you can use first person pronouns. If not,

you must avoid first person pronouns in informational writing.

What Pronouns Can You Use for Informational/Expository and Argumentative Writing Prompts?

Third Person Pronouns

he/she, his/hers, him/her it/its, they/them/their/theirs

When can you use first and second person pronouns?

Use first person pronouns when writing a personal narrative or a first person narrative.

Use second person pronouns when writing a letter or e-mail or in dialogue between characters in a narrative.

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Prompt Type of writing

What is a cave?

Informational/Expository

Argumentative

Narrative

Provide one character trait for the main character. Informational/Expository

Argumentative

Narrative

Tell us about your most embarrassing moment. Informational/Expository

Argumentative

Narrative

What is your most prized posession? Informational/Expository

Argumentative

Narrative

Should students wear school uniforms? Informational/Expository

Argumentative

Narrative

What is the Sequoia National Park like? Informational/Expository

Argumentative

Narrative

“QUOTATION MARKS” ITALICS (typed) or UNDERLINED (handwritten)

1. 1.

2. 2.

3. 3.

4. 4.

5. 5.

6. 6.

ICER is a ________________ to help your writing become more __________________ and __________________.

ICER Formula:

I = Intro Paragraph C = Citation E = Explanation of citation R = Restate the main idea

Examples of ICER setup:

One claim: I CE R Two claims: I CE CE R Three claims: I CE CE CE R

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Name two adjectives to describe the main character. Provide two detailed claims to support your answer and provide “evidence” to support your answer.

o Format: ____________________

What is the significance of the author’s use of figurative language? Provide three claims and provide “evidence” for each C.

o Format: ____________________

What is the job of the I?

The job of the I is to_______________________ the reader to the topic and __________________ the question/prompt.

Components:

1. _______________________________________

2. _______________________________________

3. _______________________________________

The “I” is the first paragraph of your ICER essay. When you begin writing your I (introductory paragraph), you will need to keep the following in mind:

The I is made up of an attention getter (will add on later), one broad statement sentence and one answer/mini-thesis sentence.

Formulate the “Answer/Thesis” in your head and complete an organizer. *** If the thesis is wrong the entire

essay is wrong!

Make sure your answer is correct and fully answers the question/prompt. Do not use the word because unless the question asks you how or why.

Credit the source (author and title). If they are not known, leave them out.

Follow the “answer recipe” to construct your answer. Write it on your organizer in the correct space.

Create a broad statement about the general topic. Indent at the broad statement for now.

**The attention getter will be added to this paragraph in February, but for now, the introductory paragraph will only contain two sentences.**

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o This is a ___________________________ ___________________________ about your topic

Example: Should everyone own an in-ground swimming pool?

Summer is a time when people enjoy many outdoor activities, such as swimming.

Broad Statement Practice:

• What are the three most exciting vacation activities offered in Pennsylvania?

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

• What are the top three deadly natural disasters?

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

• What is the biggest difference between middle school and elementary school?

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

“Recipe” for your answer/mini-thesis:

Introductory Phrase + Title + Author + joining element + question and answer

EXAMPLE 1:

Poem: “The Highwayman” Author: Alfred Noyes Question: What is the mood of the story? Answer: Mysterious

Answer: ______________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

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EXAMPLE 2:

Story: Rikki Tikki Tavi Author: Rudyard Kipling Question: Describe two characteristics of Rikki Tikki Tavi. Answer: Brave and loyal

Answer: ______________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLE 3:

Article: Summer Vacations Author: Iwanna Pool Question: Should everyone get an in-ground swimming pool? Answer: Should not

Example Intro paragraph: Summer is a time when people enjoy many outdoor activities, such as swimming. After reading the article

“Summer Vacations” by Iwanna Pool, it is obvious that everyone should not own an in-ground swimming pool.it

EXAMPLE 4:onumental amount of time and money to maintain.

Article: Summer Vacations Author: Iwanna Pool Question: Why shouldn’t everyone own an in-ground swimming pool? Answer: It takes a monumental amount of time and money to maintain.

Example Intro Paragraph: Summer is a time when people enjoy many outdoor activities, such as swimming. After reading the article

“Summer Vacations” by Iwanna Pool, it is obvious that everyone should not own an in-ground swimming pool because it takes a monumental amount of time and money to maintain.

PRACTICE 1 Question: What are the three most exciting vacation activities offered in Pennsylvania? Article: Visit Pennsylvania Author: Patty Smith Answer: hiking, biking, and camping

Broad statement: Pennsylvania is a wonderful place to visit for vacation.

Answer: ______________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

PRACTICE 2 Question: What are three toppings to put on cupcakes? Article: Cupcakes Galore Author: Marcy Baker Answer: fondant, whipped icing and buttercream icing

Broad statement: There are many different types of icing to use on cupcakes.

Answer: ______________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

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You will be expected to use ICER in other classes. You can use ICER to respond to a movie or to discuss personal experiences.

What does your “answer/mini-thesis” look like if you are not using a text?

MOVIE REAL LIFE EXPERIENCE

EXAMPLE 1: Answering a Prompt from a Movie Source Question: What are the top three deadly natural disasters? Movie: Deadly Storms Author/Producer: None Answer: tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes Most storms are a frequent part of nature that cause minimal to no damage, but some storms can be extremely dangerous. According to the movie Deadly Storms, tornadoes, hurricanes and earthquakes are the top three deadly natural disasters.

Or Most storms are a frequent part of nature that cause minimal to no damage, but some storms can be extremely dangerous. After watching the movie Deadly Storms, it is clear that the top three deadly natural disasters are tornadoes, hurricanes and earthquakes.

EXAMPLE 2: Answering a Prompt about a Life Experience Question: What is the biggest difference between middle school and elementary school? Life experience Author: None Answer: freedom Broad statement: Middle school is extremely different from elementary school.

Answer: ______________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

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Components: 1. __________________________________________

a. Length: _____________________________

2. __________________________________________

a. Length:

b. Credit _______________ and _______________ if available

c. Uses “answer recipe” :

_____________________________ + _______________ + ______________ +

____________________________ + ___________________ /____________________

d. Doesn’t include the word “_______________________” in your A unless the question

________________________________________________________________________.

Article: Steve Jobs was a low tech parent Author: Nick Bilton Question: Should kids’ use of electronic devices be monitored? Answer: Yes

REMEMBER: INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH = BROAD STATEMENT + ANSWER/MINI-THESIS!

______________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

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Job of the C= Provide a _________________________ or ________________________ that supports your answer/mini thesis! Rules for your “C” if you read a text:

1. Indent at each C. 2. Begin with an appropriate transition 3. Include a joining element 4. Include your quote in quotations

CITE = ______________________ , + ___________________________ + ______________________ ,

NOTICES:

There is a comma after the ___________________ and also after the ____________________________.

If you don’t put quotations around your quote, that is _______________________________!

Your quote must be taken ___________________________________ from the text!

Your quote must relate to your __________________ to the _________________. Otherwise, you’ll have nothing to explain!

Examples of transitions for the “C” – Examples of joining elements for the “C” –

“C” examples with a text: o To begin, according to the text, “Flamingos are pink because of the food they eat.” o Also, as noted by Pile, “The world would be a lot better if people could just be nice to one another!”

“C” examples without a text:

o First, one of the main differences between elementary school and middle school is freedom. o Additionally, good organizational skills are important for new seventh graders.

Rules for “C” if you didn’t read a text: 1. Indent at each C. 2. Begin with an appropriate transition 3. Include your example

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Things to remember!

o The C is ____________ to the E. They’re peanut butter and jelly! Don’t ever ______________________!

o Every C is followed by an ______! No exceptions! Together, a C and E make a _____________ paragraph!

o Your E must be at least __________________________________, but it should be more.

o The job of the E is to explain ________ and/or _______ the quote in the C _______________ the answer.

o Therefore, you must make sure you are making a _________________ between the “____” and the “____” in your “_____.”

o What do you do if you can’t make a connection between your “C” and your “E?” Or, you’ve realized that your “C” doesn’t support your “I?” _____________________________________!

o The E is written in _______________________________.

o In order to make the connection, you must decide how to start out your “E.”

You could start off with:

____________________________

____________________________

Or, just _________________________! (You don’t NEED a transition for your E.)

Question: How is middle school different from elementary school? List and explain one difference.

Middle school is very different from elementary school. Freedom is one of the biggest differences

between elementary school and middle school.

To begin, middle school students are given many freedoms because they are getting older and

need to learn how to be more responsible. For example, some of the freedoms given to middle school

students are changing classes without teacher guidance and choosing where to sit during lunch. Middle

school students are dismissed at the bell and can navigate the hallways on their own, but in elementary

school, students usually have to follow their teacher to the next class. Also, students in middle school can

sit with a friend at lunch; however, in elementary school students have to eat with their homeroom.

C

I

E

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Article: Steve Jobs was a low tech parent Author: Nick Bilton Question: Should kids’ use of electronic devices be monitored? Answer: Yes

Most kids today spent a great deal of time of their cell phones, iPads and computers.

After reading “Steve jobs was a low tech parent” by Nick Bilton, it is clear that kids’ use of

electronic devices should be monitored.

_________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

Things to remember:

o The job of the R is to _______________ the answer/mini-thesis and _____________ the writing response!

o You’re not done until you add the R.

o The “R” in ICER is the wrap-up paragraph, which restates the ________________________ of your paper.

o _______________ your “R” paragraph.

o Start your “R” with a _________________ word or phrase !

– Examples: _______________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

o Direct the reader to your answer/ mini-thesis by ________________________ it right away. Include these elements from your “A”:

______________________ +____________ + _____________ + _______________________+ ________________

o Sum up the _____________________ in one sentence.

o End with a __________________ sentence.

o NEVER WRITE _________________________!!!!! You will receive a zero if you write that.

o Do NOT introduce any ________________________________ in your R!

C: Pick one of the

quotes from question #1 in your technology questions packet!

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E: Explain your

quote in at least 2 sentences. How does that quote support your answer? Use your own words!