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    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.

    Level: 
    Grade 6
    Grade 7
    Grade 8
    Mode: 
    Persuasive Writing
    Form: 
    Problem-Solution
    Theme: 
    Education
    Rules

    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.

    Level: 
    Grade 6
    Grade 7
    Grade 8
    Mode: 
    Persuasive Writing
    Form: 
    Editorial
    Theme: 
    Education
    Rules

    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..

    Level: 
    Grade 6
    Grade 7
    Grade 8
    Mode: 
    Response to Literature
    Form: 
    Book Review
    Theme: 
    Books
    Health
    Life
    Personality
    Literature

    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.

    Level: 
    Grade 6
    Grade 7
    Grade 8
    Mode: 
    Response to Literature
    Creative Writing
    Form: 
    Poem
    Theme: 
    Books
    Fantasy
    Literature

    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.

    Level: 
    Grade 6
    Grade 7
    Grade 8
    Mode: 
    Narrative Writing
    Form: 
    Fictionalized Journal Entry
    Theme: 
    Work
    Occupation
    History

    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.

    Level: 
    Grade 6
    Grade 7
    Grade 8
    Mode: 
    Persuasive Writing
    Form: 
    Editorial
    Theme: 
    Transportation
    Rules
    Vehicles

    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

    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.

    Level: 
    Grade 6
    Grade 7
    Grade 8
    Mode: 
    Creative Writing
    Form: 
    Story
    Theme: 
    Environment
    Fantasy

    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.

    Level: 
    Grade 6
    Grade 7
    Grade 8
    Mode: 
    Creative Writing
    Form: 
    Story
    Theme: 
    Fantasy
    Environment
    Life
    Nature

    Student Writing Model

    The Call

    Seventh-grade poet Brittany invites her readers to share in a real experience.

    Level: 
    Grade 6
    Grade 7
    Grade 8
    Mode: 
    Creative Writing
    Form: 
    Poem
    Theme: 
    Friends
    Love
    Life

    Student Writing Model

    My Backyard

    Kevin, the sixth-grade author of this poem, effectively uses personification to paint a vivid picture of his backyard.

    Level: 
    Grade 6
    Grade 7
    Grade 8
    Mode: 
    Creative Writing
    Form: 
    Poem
    Theme: 
    Environment
    Plants
    Animals
    Nature

    Student Writing Model

    I Am Latvia

    The author’s approach to this report is fresh and original; speaking as the country makes the paper very readable.

    Level: 
    Grade 6
    Grade 7
    Grade 8
    Mode: 
    Research Writing
    Form: 
    Research Report
    Theme: 
    Community
    Culture
    History

    Student Writing Model

    The Aloha State

    The details in this report are presented in an organized manner, and the writer’s strong feelings for Hawaii come through in her writing voice.

    Level: 
    Grade 6
    Grade 7
    Grade 8
    Mode: 
    Research Writing
    Form: 
    Research Report
    Theme: 
    Community
    Culture
    History
    Geography

    Student Writing Model

    The Incredible Egg

    Hannah’s seventh-grade science class tried an experiment involving an egg, vinegar, corn syrup, and water. Her observations include not only the outcomes of the different steps in the procedure, but also her personal reactions to the experiment.

    Level: 
    Grade 6
    Grade 7
    Grade 8
    Mode: 
    Research Writing
    Form: 
    Observation Report
    Theme: 
    Science
    Food

    Student Writing Model

    Dear Dr. Larson

    This email query is clear, organized, accurate, and engaging. The author gets right to the point—always a good practice in business writing.

    Level: 
    Grade 6
    Grade 7
    Grade 8
    Mode: 
    Business Writing
    Form: 
    Email
    Theme: 
    Animals
    Work
    Goals

    Student Writing Model

    The Boy with Chris Pine Blue Eyes

    Tenth-grader Lisa’s voice comes through loud and clear in this model. The use of strong details and dialogue—including the author “talking” to herself—makes this a believable essay about a student’s first high school crush.

    Level: 
    Grade 9
    Grade 10
    Grade 11
    Grade 12
    Mode: 
    Narrative Writing
    Form: 
    Personal Narrative
    Theme: 
    Love
    Friends
    Personality

    Student Writing Model

    Take Me to Casablanca

    The 9th-grade writer of this personal narrative, Emily, uses original word choice to effectively convey a vivid image of the people and environment she encountered on a trip to Africa. The opening paragraphs communicate a sense of excitement that, by the end of the trip, is reduced to disappointment, shock, and guilt.

    Level: 
    Grade 9
    Grade 10
    Grade 11
    Grade 12
    Mode: 
    Narrative Writing
    Form: 
    Personal Narrative
    Theme: 
    Travel
    Culture
    Education
    Geography
    Transportation

    Student Writing Model

    My Greatest Instrument

    Lindsey, an adult who uses public speaking in her career, reflects on the childhood experiences that prepared her for success.

    Level: 
    Grade 9
    Grade 10
    Grade 11
    Grade 12
    Mode: 
    Narrative Writing
    Form: 
    Personal Narrative
    Theme: 
    Communication
    Goals
    Education
    Personality
    Self

    Student Writing Model

    Snapshots

    Before Facebook, Snapchat, and Pinterest allowed us to gather and store images digitally, students kept their memories in photo albums and even shoeboxes. In this historic model, Alita writes about her shoebox collection of memories. Vivid details recreate the feeling of thumbing through pictures.

    Level: 
    Grade 9
    Grade 10
    Grade 11
    Grade 12
    Mode: 
    Narrative Writing
    Form: 
    Personal Narrative
    Theme: 
    Family
    Friends
    Love
    People

    Student Writing Model

    H’s Hickory Chips

    Karen, in eleventh grade, shares the details of a Saturday spent working for her family’s business. Her descriptions bring the subject to life, and her ending tells the reader why this work is important to her.

    Level: 
    Grade 9
    Grade 10
    Grade 11
    Grade 12
    Mode: 
    Narrative Writing
    Form: 
    Personal Narrative
    Theme: 
    Family
    Work
    Love

    Student Writing Model

    Anticipating the Dream

    Michelle (grade 11) develops this eyewitness account by answering the “5 W’s and H” about her parents becoming American citizens. The writer also shares her sensory impressions.

    Level: 
    Grade 9
    Grade 10
    Grade 11
    Grade 12
    Mode: 
    Narrative Writing
    Form: 
    Personal Narrative
    Theme: 
    Culture
    Family
    Community
    Rules
    History
    People
    Rights

    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

    Mosquito Madness

    When writing about pet peeves, you can react humorously or analytically to a common, everyday annoyance. Katie, the writer of this essay, tries to be sensible and analytical about the mosquito in her bedroom but becomes (in her own words) “like a crazed wind turbine.” Watch for a second simile that works very well in this piece. Also notice how the writer feels about the breeze in the first paragraph and how her feelings have changed by the sixth paragraph—this change shows how stressed she has become.

    Level: 
    Grade 9
    Grade 10
    Grade 11
    Grade 12
    Mode: 
    Persuasive Writing
    Form: 
    Pet Peeve
    Theme: 
    Health
    Environment
    Animals
    Life
    Nature

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