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Student Writing Model
The Missing Coin
This story is well organized, and the sentences flow smoothly. There are lots of details and excellent word choices.
Student Writing Model
The Sled Run
This author brings excitement to her story when she paints a picture of her friend sprawled like a spider.
Student Writing Model
The Funny Dance
The writer’s descriptions in this narrative make it a vivid and memorable story.
Student Writing Model
Dear Ms. Nathan
The author’s personal voice comes through loud and clear in this friendly letter submitted by third-grader Andrea.
Student Writing Model
Plastic, Paper, or Cloth?
This short persuasive paragraph is based on a model that third-grader Rachel submitted. She begins her writing in a way that makes the reader want to keep reading. The reader wants to find out what decision she is talking about.
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.
Student Writing Model
Cheetahs
The beginning paragraph of this writer's report invites the reader to keep going. The details show that she knows a lot about cheetahs.
Student Writing Model
Fire
Joey, the third-grade writer of this poem, uses personification when he says the smoke can “run up the chimney” and the “ashes dodge.”
Student Writing Model
Hello, Spring!
Connor, a third grader, rhymes words in his poem about spring.
Student Writing Model
A Lesson to Learn
Eddie, a seventh grader, wrote a brief journal entry about his little brother’s annoying habit of asking questions all the time—and how it taught him a lesson.
Student Writing Model
Giving Life
This is a very moving narrative about a difficult experience. Sharing what she learned from this friendship makes an effective conclusion.
Student Writing Model
The Great Paw Paw
Charlotte, the seventh-grade writer of this model, organizes her essay into paragraphs that describe different aspects of her subject. The closing leaves the reader with a clear idea of the important place her grandfather holds in her memory.
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.
Student Writing Model
Cheating in America
In this problem and solution essay, sixth-grade writer Nicholas grabs the reader’s attention with some “shocking statistics” that identify the problem. The essay closes with some possible solutions as well as a point to ponder.
Student Writing Model
Summer: 15 Days or 2 1/2 Months?
Jordan wants to have a nice, long summer at the end of seventh grade; her persuasive essay makes that quite evident with several points that support her opinion through the use of statistics, comparison, and expert testimony.
Student Writing Model
The Best Little Girl in the World
The voice of Joanna, the author of this book review, comes through as she reveals her concern for teenagers’ vulnerability to eating disorders..
Student Writing Model
Limadastrin
A response to literature can take many forms other than a book report. Sixth-grader Mark decided to respond in a poem patterned after the poetry he read in the Redwall series of fantasy books. (These stories are about peace-loving small animals who exhibit human characteristics in a medieval setting, facing day-to-day struggles of good versus evil, life versus death.) The author of the Redwall books never mentions where the “Badger lords” come from, so Mark created this fictional place called Limadastrin and describes how one would find it.
Student Writing Model
A Cowboy's Journal
Eighth grader Shelley imagines she is a cowboy in the old West as she writes this journal entry. She includes historical details that add a realistic touch to the writing.
Student Writing Model
Hang Up and Drive
A surprise comparison opens this editorial by eighth grade student Jessie, drawing readers in. Her position on the subject becomes evident early in the essay.
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.
Student Writing Model
Linden’s Library
This model is based on an original story submitted by Elise, a sixth-grade writer. Note how she uses dialogue and details to bring her characters to life.
Student Writing Model
How the Stars Came to Be
Sixth-grade student Laura wrote this fantasy in which the “storybook” voice sets the tone appropriately.
Student Writing Model
The Call
Seventh-grade poet Brittany invites her readers to share in a real experience.
Student Writing Model
My Backyard
Kevin, the sixth-grade author of this poem, effectively uses personification to paint a vivid picture of his backyard.