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    Student Writing Model

    The Civil War

    Seth, this model’s fifth-grade author, wrote a poem about a historical event and the reasons behind it.

    Level: 
    Grade 4
    Grade 5
    Mode: 
    Creative Writing
    Form: 
    Poem
    Theme: 
    Freedom
    Government
    History
    Rights

    Student Writing Model

    Sloppy Joes

    Molly, the fourth-grade author of this short poem, tells us something about her favorite food.

    Level: 
    Grade 4
    Grade 5
    Mode: 
    Creative Writing
    Form: 
    Poem
    Theme: 
    Food

    Student Writing Model

    When I Was Upside Down

    Chloe, in fourth grade, uses a repeating phrase and rhyming words to give her poem rhythm.

    Level: 
    Grade 4
    Grade 5
    Mode: 
    Creative Writing
    Form: 
    Poem
    Theme: 
    Play
    Life

    Student Writing Model

    Dreams

    The word pictures in this poem, submitted by fifth-grader Sarah, paint a dreamy image!

    Level: 
    Grade 4
    Grade 5
    Mode: 
    Creative Writing
    Form: 
    Poem
    Theme: 
    Freedom
    Health
    Imagination

    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.

    Level: 
    Grade 6
    Grade 7
    Grade 8
    Mode: 
    Personal Writing
    Form: 
    Journal
    Theme: 
    Family
    Education

    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.

    Level: 
    Grade 6
    Grade 7
    Grade 8
    Mode: 
    Narrative Writing
    Form: 
    Personal Narrative
    Theme: 
    Friends
    Health
    Life

    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.

    Level: 
    Grade 6
    Grade 7
    Grade 8
    Mode: 
    Narrative Writing
    Form: 
    Personal Narrative
    Theme: 
    Family
    Love
    Life
    Fun
    Home
    Play

    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

    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

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