Writing Prompts NEW YORK 501 ® Copyright © 2003 LearningExpress, LLC. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. Published in the United States by LearningExpress, LLC, New York. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data: 501 writing prompts.— 1st ed. p. cm.—(LearningExpress skill builder in focus) ISBN 1-57685-438-8 (pbk.) 1. English language—Rhetoric—Examinations—Study guides. 2. Report writing— Examinations—Study guides. I. LearningExpress (Organization) II. Series. PE1408 .A15 2003 808'.042'076—dc21 2002151698 Printed in the United States of America 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 First Edition ISBN 1-57685-438-8 For more information or to place an order, contact LearningExpress at: 900 Broadway Suite 604 New York, NY 10003 Or visit us at: www.learnatest.com v Lara Bohlke Middle School Math Teacher, Grade 8 Dodd Middle School Cheshire, Connecticut Elizabeth Chesla English Instructor Coordinator of Technical & Professional Communication Program Polytechnic University, Brooklyn South Orange, New Jersey Brigit Dermott Freelance Writer English Tutor, New York Cares New York, New York Darren Dunn English Teacher Riverhead School District Riverhead, New York Cindy Estep Math Instructor South Shore Christian School, Long Island, New York Linganore High School, Frederick, Maryland Adjunct Professor, Frederick Community College, Frederick, Maryland Barbara Fine English Instructor Secondary Reading Specialist Setauket, New York Sandy Gade Project Editor LearningExpress New York, New York Melinda Grove Adjunct Professor, Quinnipiac University and Naugatuck Valley Community College Middle School Math Teacher, Grade 8 Dodd Middle School Cheshire, Connecticut Noah Kravitz Educational Technology Specialist Brooklyn, New York Kerry McLean Project Editor Math Tutor Shirley, New York Meg Moyer Math Teacher, Vestal Central High School Vestal Central School District Vestal, New York The LearningExpress Skill Builder in Focus Writing Team is com- prised of experts in test preparation, as well as educators and teachers who specialize in language arts and math. LearningExpress Skill Builder in Focus Writing Team William Recco Middle School Math Teacher, Grade 8 Shoreham/Wading River School District Math Tutor St. James, New York Colleen Schultz Middle School Math Teacher, Grade 8 Vestal Central School District Math Tutor Vestal, New York vi 501 Writing Prompts vii Introduction ix 1 Persuasive Writing Prompts 1 Rubrics—Scoring Explanations 19 Model Persuasive Essays 20 2 Expository Writing Prompts 51 Rubrics—Scoring Explanations 60 Model Expository Essays 61 3 Narrative Writing Prompts 89 Rubrics—Scoring Explanations 102 Model Narrative Essays 103 4 Literary Response Prompts 131 Rubrics—Scoring Explanations 144 Model Literary Response Essays 145 Contents ix W elcome to 501 Writing Prompts! This book is designed to provide you with a variety of writing topics and model essays. Categories in this book cover many different types of writing: persuasive, expository, narrative, and literary response. At some point in your life, whether you are trying to pass an academic exam or standardized test, writing a college placement essay, or vying for a job promotion, you will need to practice the skills used to express yourself clearly. How to Use This Book First, decide on the type of essay you will need to write. There are four types of writing that are commonly used in a given situation. Persuasive writing argues a point and is often called argumentation. When you write persua- sively, you are always expressing an opinion. In order to convince your reader, you must be able to present sound reasons and good examples. For instance, instead of explaining the causes of the Civil War, you might be asked to persuade your reader that the Civil War was more about the eco- nomics of the southern plantation system than the social issue of slavery. Per- suasive writing and language is often found in editorials, letters of complaint, Introduction or proposals. Expository writing is explanatory. You select information from oral, written, or electronic text and organize it to show that you under- stand a concept. Expository writing is the type of writing you create for term papers, essays, or letters. Most standardized tests often include an expository prompt. Narrative writing is a type of writing that requires you to tell a story that describes an event or relates a personal experience. A good narra- tive should have convincing characters, a plot, and a theme. You may be asked to write a narrative of personal experience on your college placement essay. If you write a literary response essay, you will have to read and ana- lyze a piece of literature and then make comments based on the literal and implied interpretations of the text. If you are taking a state assessment test, you may find yourself facing a literary response essay. Second, learn how to score your essay. For your reference, there is a scor- ing guide—often called a rubric—in each chapter of this book. To deter- mine your score, simply refer to the categories on the scoring guide to see how your writing measures up. If you have difficulty figuring out your score, ask someone knowledgeable, like a teacher, counselor, writing coach, college professor, or even your boss, to help you. And last, check some of the model essays provided in this book. There are sample essays available for all of the bold-faced prompts throughout the book. The samples provide a look at a top essay, a middle-of-the road essay, and a low-scoring essay. You can use these as benchmarks to compare and contrast your writing. Make a Commitment If you are willing to practice your writing skills, you have already taken an important step toward improving your writing. As you work through some of the prompts in this book, you may feel confident in your attempts. How- ever, if you feel that you need more instruction before you tackle some of these writing assignments, refer to some of the other LearningExpress titles: Better Writing Right Now, Express Yourself, 501 Grammar and Writing Questions, Research & Writing Skills Success in 20 Minutes a Day, or Getting Down to Busi- ness. A basic knowledge of language will also help you become a better writer. Use these books to get the extra practice you need: 501 Vocabulary Questions, 501 Synonyms and Antonyms, 501 Word Analogies, Goof-Proof Spelling, or Goof- Proof Grammar. x 501 Writing Prompts 501 Writing Prompts [...]... WRITING Score 6 5 4 3 2 1 For a grade at this For a grade at this For a grade at this For a grade at this For a grade at this For a grade at this level, your writing: level, your writing: level, your writing: level, your writing: level, your writing: level, your writing: Content: Your written response shows an understanding and interpretation of the writing prompt satisfies the requirements of the writing. ..1 Persuasive Writing Prompts C hoose one of the persuasive writing prompts from the list below and write an essay A certain number of prompts have model essays in the answer section that you can use to compare and contrast your writing A scoring guide, or rubric, is also included in the answer section You can use this guide... ■ shows a beginner’s unrecognizable as control of the English language ■ has errors that begin to interfere with comprehension ■ 501 Writing Prompts Scoring Explanations for Persuasive Writing Essays A score of “6” indicates that your essay satisfies the requirements of the writing prompt in a creative and original manner, using an obvious theme and thesis throughout Your essay provides a clear and logical... while they are in the building, they have the right to search for drugs or weapons at any time How do you feel about this issue? State your position and explain your reasons with specific examples 3 501 Writing Prompts 15 Write an essay convincing readers to break a specific habit that is harmful to their physical, emotional, or financial health 16 In many countries, citizens are required to serve in the... reduce susceptibility to disease, improve flavor, and reduce costs Do you think genetically modifying foods is a good idea? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to support your position 4 501 Writing Prompts 22 A few decades ago, many families had half a dozen or more children Nowadays, more and more families are choosing to have only one or two children Are smaller families better than larger... that cities with extensive public transportation systems should ban passenger cars and force people to walk, bike, or use public transportation Do you think this is a good idea? Why or why not? 5 501 Writing Prompts 29 On today’s talk shows, guests and audience members often argue heatedly with each other, and on more than one occasion, guests and audience members have been hurt Do today’s talk shows... on to college after high school; others take a year or more off to work or travel Which do you think is the better choice? State your position and support it with specific reasons and examples 6 501 Writing Prompts 37 Some people think of the United States as a nation of “couch potatoes.” Write an essay persuading readers to be more physically active 38 You have been asked to write a brochure to attract... children by choosing the specific physical and personality traits we would like them to have Do you think this is a good idea? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to support your position 7 501 Writing Prompts 45 If someone discovered a formula that would enable us to live forever, would that be a blessing or a curse? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer 46 Some educators argue... it Many animal rights activists argue that sport fishing is cruel and should be abolished How do you feel about this issue? State your position and support it with specific reasons and examples 8 501 Writing Prompts 52 Many schools employ security guards and have installed security equipment such as video cameras and metal detectors in the building In your opinion, how should security in public schools... United States because they believe that it is better than their native country In fact, many people believe that the United States is the best country in the world Do you agree? Why or why not? 9 501 Writing Prompts 58 Some people think that school cafeterias should be required to provide low-fat and/or vegetarian lunch options to accommodate the eating habits of all students Do you agree or disagree? . need: 501 Vocabulary Questions, 501 Synonyms and Antonyms, 501 Word Analogies, Goof-Proof Spelling, or Goof- Proof Grammar. x 501 Writing Prompts 501 Writing. vi 501 Writing Prompts vii Introduction ix 1 Persuasive Writing Prompts 1 Rubrics—Scoring Explanations 19 Model Persuasive Essays 20 2 Expository Writing