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    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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 Racist Warehouse

    This personal narrative by eighth-grader Alicia presents an engaging voice. Read the essay and notice how Alicia’s personality comes through; she obviously cares about her subject. Her use of details gives the reader a clear picture of the characters and environment in this account of Alicia’s first encounter with racism.

    Level: 
    Grade 6
    Grade 7
    Grade 8
    Mode: 
    Narrative Writing
    Form: 
    Personal Narrative
    Theme: 
    Community
    Freedom
    Rights
    People
    Personality

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    Did You Ever Look At . . .

    Fifth-grader Trista wrote this poem to give her readers an important message.

    Level: 
    Grade 4
    Grade 5
    Mode: 
    Creative Writing
    Form: 
    Poem
    Theme: 
    Self
    Life
    Environment
    Nature
    Plants

    Student Writing Model

    I Am Attean

    Nicholas, the fifth-grade author of this model, uses repetition effectively in a poem about a young Native American facing the realities of his time.

    Level: 
    Grade 4
    Grade 5
    Mode: 
    Creative Writing
    Form: 
    Poem
    Theme: 
    Community
    Culture
    History

    Student Writing Model

    Deer Don’t Need to Flee to Stay Trouble-Free!

    Dylan, the fourth-grade writer of this model, concludes the report by repeating the main points he explained in the body.

    Level: 
    Grade 4
    Grade 5
    Mode: 
    Research Writing
    Form: 
    Report
    Theme: 
    Animals
    Science
    Nature

    Student Writing Model

    Height-Challenged German Shepherd

    Layton, a fifth grader, grabs the reader’s attention with a couple of questions and a clear picture of what he is planning to talk about in his report. Notice the effective use of humor in the final paragraph.

    Level: 
    Grade 4
    Grade 5
    Mode: 
    Research Writing
    Form: 
    Report
    Theme: 
    Animals
    Science
    Nature

    Student Writing Model

    The Haunted House

    Fifth-grader Tommy includes lots of details in a story that leads up to a surprise ending.

    Level: 
    Grade 4
    Grade 5
    Mode: 
    Creative Writing
    Form: 
    Story
    Theme: 
    Fantasy
    Play
    Holidays

    Student Writing Model

    Chloe’s Day

    Erin, fifth grade, tells her story from the point of view of her cat. The closing lines bring this adventure full circle.

    Level: 
    Grade 4
    Grade 5
    Mode: 
    Creative Writing
    Form: 
    Story
    Theme: 
    Animals
    Family
    Love

    Student Writing Model

    The Terror of Kansas

    Fifth-grader Ashley begins her story in the middle of the action. After the first paragraph, the reader is hooked and needs to know . . . “What happens next?”

    Level: 
    Grade 4
    Grade 5
    Mode: 
    Creative Writing
    Form: 
    Story
    Theme: 
    Environment
    Family
    Life
    Nature

    Student Writing Model

    A Story of Survival

    Opening with a quotation is a great way to begin a book review. Kelsey, the author, summarizes the plot well without giving away the whole story, and she shows genuine enthusiasm for the story.

    Level: 
    Grade 4
    Grade 5
    Mode: 
    Response to Literature
    Form: 
    Book Review
    Theme: 
    Books
    Life
    Environment
    Nature
    Literature

    Student Writing Model

    Letter to the Editor

    Fifth-grader Melissa clearly states her opinion in the first paragraph. She shares supporting ideas, with details, in the middle paragraphs. In her conclusion, she restates her opinion in a fresh way.

    Level: 
    Grade 4
    Grade 5
    Mode: 
    Persuasive Writing
    Form: 
    Letter to the Editor
    Theme: 
    Education
    Goals
    Life

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