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    Student Writing Model

    My Favorite Pet

    Adam, the first-grade writer of this model, uses his senses to describe his cat—fluffy, soft, fat. Readers can “see” and “feel” Buzz.

    Level: 
    Grade 1
    Mode: 
    Explanatory Writing
    Form: 
    Explanatory Paragraph
    Theme: 
    Animals
    Family
    Home

    Student Writing Model

    How Much I Know About Space

    Ryan tells what he learned on a visit to a space center.

    Level: 
    Grade 1
    Mode: 
    Explanatory Writing
    Form: 
    Explanatory Paragraph
    Theme: 
    Science
    Education

    Student Writing Model

    Sweet Spring

    This writing has delightful details and a clear voice.

    Level: 
    Grade 1
    Mode: 
    Explanatory Writing
    Form: 
    Explanatory Paragraph
    Theme: 
    Seasons
    Environment
    Nature
    Plants

    Student Writing Model

    If I Were President

    Austin, the second-grade writer of this expository paragraph, introduces his subject—how to be a good president—in an interesting way.

    Level: 
    Grade 2
    Mode: 
    Explanatory Writing
    Form: 
    Explanatory Paragraph
    Theme: 
    Government
    Goals

    Student Writing Model

    How to Make Boiled Eggs

    This model of “How-To” writing is based on a model submitted by Dagmary. She has decided to list the steps in her recipe instead of putting them in paragraph form.

    Level: 
    Grade 3
    Mode: 
    Explanatory Writing
    Form: 
    How-To
    Theme: 
    Food

    Student Writing Model

    Rules

    This model is based on an essay submitted by fourth-grader Isabel. In the second paragraph, Isabel adds interest and humor to her writing by including her personal comments in parentheses.

    Level: 
    Grade 4
    Grade 5
    Mode: 
    Explanatory Writing
    Form: 
    Personal Essay
    Theme: 
    Rules
    Family
    Love

    Student Writing Model

    My Mother

    Fourth-grader Abigail wrote an essay that describes how great her mother is. She includes both serious and fun reasons!

    Level: 
    Grade 4
    Grade 5
    Mode: 
    Explanatory Writing
    Form: 
    Personal Essay
    Theme: 
    Family
    Love
    Home

    Student Writing Model

    My Favorite Place to Go

    This model is based on an essay submitted by fourth-grader Mia. She uses some vivid verbs and sensory details—“devour juicy caramel-covered apples,” “crisp fall breeze,” “soft spring trickles of rain splashing the sidewalks,” “warm summer sun”—to help the reader experience her favorite place.

    Level: 
    Grade 4
    Grade 5
    Mode: 
    Explanatory Writing
    Form: 
    Description
    Theme: 
    Family
    Travel
    Environment
    Fun
    Nature
    People
    Play
    Recreation
    Transportation

    Student Writing Model

    Shadow Fort

    This model is based on an essay submitted by fourth-grader Amy. She explains her favorite place by telling (1) how she built the fort and (2) a special time she spent there with a hurt friend.

    Level: 
    Grade 4
    Grade 5
    Mode: 
    Explanatory Writing
    Form: 
    Description
    Theme: 
    Friends
    Play
    Environment

    Student Writing Model

    Friendship

    Five paragraphs in the body of this essay—one for each of the senses—provide a clear organization pattern that is easy for the reader to understand. Note that each of the five paragraphs begins with a sentence that repeats the same, simple pattern. This repetition of a sentence pattern provides unity. The use of an extended metaphor—comparing friendship to the making and baking of bread—works quite well and shows that Nate, the sixth grade writer of this essay, is willing to take creative risks.

    Level: 
    Grade 6
    Grade 7
    Grade 8
    Mode: 
    Explanatory Writing
    Form: 
    Definition
    Theme: 
    Friends
    Love
    Life

    Student Writing Model

    What Really Matters

    In this feature article, eighth grader Irené informs the reader about spina bifida as she highlights the achievements of a classmate who has the condition. Quotations from the classmate add a personal side to the writing.

    Level: 
    Grade 6
    Grade 7
    Grade 8
    Mode: 
    Explanatory Writing
    Form: 
    News Feature
    Theme: 
    Health
    Medicine
    Life

    Student Writing Model

    From Bed Bound to Breaking Boards

    In this profile of a person, tenth-grade writer Rachel remains focused on an affliction that affects, but never defines, her subject's young life. Rachel engages her readers with direct quotations and plenty of interesting details.

    Level: 
    Grade 9
    Grade 10
    Grade 11
    Grade 12
    Mode: 
    Explanatory Writing
    Form: 
    News Feature
    Theme: 
    Health
    Goals
    Life

    Student Writing Model

    Student Entrepreneur Reaches for Dreams of the Sky

    Tenth-grade writer Julie develops her report with plenty of information and quotations from her subject, T. McDowell. Readers get a clear picture of McDowell’s determined business sense as well as his dreams for the future.

    Level: 
    Grade 9
    Grade 10
    Grade 11
    Grade 12
    Mode: 
    Explanatory Writing
    Form: 
    News Feature
    Theme: 
    Technology
    Money
    Goals
    Life
    Occupation
    Work
    Personality

    Student Writing Model

    Save the Elephants

    This essay opens with a brief explanation of a case in which a herd of elephants is spared from death, but then goes on to explain how that is not typical—that, in fact, elephants are headed toward extinction. Michelle, the author, clearly establishes the main causes and effects of the problem before suggesting possible solutions.

    Level: 
    Grade 9
    Grade 10
    Grade 11
    Grade 12
    Mode: 
    Explanatory Writing
    Form: 
    Cause-Effect
    Theme: 
    Animals
    Environment
    Science
    Occupation
    Geography
    Nature

    Student Writing Model

    If Only They Knew

    The author of this essay shares a personal struggle against the backdrops of two different schools and the friends at each school. The strong conclusion neatly sums up the lessons she learned from dealing with her illness and offers a positive ending.

    Level: 
    Grade 9
    Grade 10
    Grade 11
    Grade 12
    Mode: 
    Explanatory Writing
    Form: 
    Comparison-Contrast
    Theme: 
    Health
    Medicine
    Life
    Goals
    Personality
    Self

    Student Writing Model

    Caught in the Net

    Kim’s essay uses narration and definition to focus on Internet addiction. This essay predates Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Skype, and smart phones. How has our definition of Internet addiction changed?

    Level: 
    Grade 9
    Grade 10
    Grade 11
    Grade 12
    Mode: 
    Narrative Writing
    Explanatory Writing
    Form: 
    Definition
    Theme: 
    Technology
    Health