On-Demand 13

Writing Situation:
The school district has a policy of “no backpacks” in the school’s classrooms. Many students feel this is very difficult.
Writing Directions:
Write to the principal to explain the difficulties for a student with the policy of “no backpacks” and explain the reasons for these difficulties.

• informative
• opinion
• narrative

Writing Situation:
Your school has started several Get Fit clubs. In addition to getting exercise each day in these Get Fit clubs, you have also been reading about how to fight obesity. Last week, you read that obesity is being labeled a disease by the American Medical Association. When you talk to your parents about this, they don’t understand what this means.
Writing Directions:
Write a letter to your parents explaining why obesity is so prevalent (common) and the importance of obesity being labeled a disease by the American Medical Association.
***This would be a 90-minute write with an article to read.***

• informative
• opinion
• narrative

Writing Situation:
A town has built a new museum. A school teacher in the town decides to take students on a field trip to the new museum. Once they arrive at the museum, the students realize that they will be the first to explore the museum and see the exhibits. The teacher suggests that each student writes about his or her experience at the museum. The students' narratives will be posted to a board in the school library so other students can read about the new museum.
Writing Directions:
Think about what it would be like to be the first to visit the museum. Write a narrative that would be posted in the library, and tell about your experience at the museum. Describe what you do, see, and think during the museum visit.

• informative
• opinion
• narrative

Writing Situation:
National Safety week is coming. The school newspaper is going to print stories about safety issues.
Writing Directions:
Write a story about a time that you or someone you know did something that was dangerous or unsafe. Be sure to include the safety lesson you learned as a result of the experience. Your story may be real or imagined.

• informative
• opinion
• narrative

Writing Situation:
The uses of social-networking websites like Facebook and Twitter have soared in the past five years. The websites let users create areas where they can display personal information and build networks of friends. Most sites have minimum wage requirements, but not all of them strictly enforce the rules.
Writing Directions:
Write an essay to your school newspaper stating your opinion about whether kids should use social-networking sites. Support your opinion with reasons and examples.

• informative
• opinion
• narrative

Writing Situation:
April 15th is Income Tax Day for all Americans; the deadline to pay our government taxes we owe for the previous year. These taxes pay our share of the cost of government. Taxes pay for many things (fixing potholes, building highways, repairing bridges, public parks, police force, education, keeping shelters open for the homeless, etc.).
Writing Directions:
After reading the situation, write an essay in which you determine two things you would like taxes to fix or improve in your community. Give several examples to support your opinion.

• informative
• opinion
• narrative