ENGL-8 Writing SOL Review -- Prewriting

So, You Think We Should Dance?

Drew’s English teacher suggested each student in her class write a letter to the school principal. Drew decides to write a letter requesting a formal, end-of-the-year dance exclusively for eighth graders.

What are the best reasons for Drew to make a chart before writing his draft?

• To generate the thesis statement for his letter

• To know how many sentences will be in each paragraph

• To formulate a closing paragraph

• To narrow the information in his letter

• To organize the information he plans to include in his letter

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

Drew creates the following chart before writing the rough draft of his letter.

While writing his letter, Drew can use his prewriting chart to --

• use good grammar in the letter

• help him organize his main points

• decide on an appropriate title

• assist with letter writing in the future

Drew would like to include a quotation in his letter to persuade the principal to allow the dance. Which of these would most likely be the best source for such a quotation?

• How to Organize the Best Party

• The Memorable Events in Life

• 101 Reasons to Write

• The Importance of Education

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

Drew creates the following chart before writing the rough draft of his letter.

What argument would be an effective addition to Drew’s prewriting chart?

• The dance can be held directly after school so more

  students are able to attend.

• Getting together with friends after school is difficult for

  students.

• Formal dresses are inexpensive after prom season is

  complete.

• Punch and fancy hors d’oeuvres are great refreshments

  for a dance.

Drew creates the following chart before writing the rough draft of his letter.

Which part of the prewriting chart contains information that will most likely persuade the principal to approve a dance?

• Topic

• Reasons

• Conditions

• Actions

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RI.7.8

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.8.1

Tubman: An American Hero

Emily’s English teacher has asked the students in her class to write an essay explaining why a particular person from American history is a hero. Emily chose to write about Harriet Tubman.

What is the best reason for Emily to make an outline before writing her draft?

• To anticipate how long her report will be

• To organize related information

• To formulate a thesis statement for her report

• To know how many paragraphs will be in her report

• To understand which details are important to include

Which question would NOT help Emily narrow the topic of Harriet Tubman?

• How many people did Harriet Tubman help?

• Why is Harriet Tubman an American hero?

• What other people in history are similar to Harriet

  Tubman?

• Where did Harriet Tubman spend most of her life?

Tags

CCSS.RI.1.1

CCSS.RI.2.1

CCSS.RI.3.1

CCSS.RL.2.1

CCSS.RL.3.1

What should Emily do to gather the most information about Harriet Tubman?

• Find pictures of Harriet Tubman

• Research Harriet Tubman on the Internet

• Write an introduction about Harriet Tubman

• Ask her friends about Harriet Tubman

Tags

CCSS.RI.2.1

CCSS.RI.3.1

CCSS.RL.1.1

CCSS.RL.2.1

CCSS.RL.3.1

If Emily were writing a biography of Tubman, which organizational pattern should she use?

• Problem-solution

• Comparison/contrast

• Chronological

• Cause and effect

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.10

CCSS.RI.6.10

CCSS.RI.7.10

CCSS.RI.8.10

CCSS.RI.9-10.10

All of the following would be helpful to Emily in narrowing her topic EXCEPT—

• thinking of the heroic things her father has done to

  help her

• glancing through her American History textbook

• looking up the definition of “hero” in the dictionary

• brainstorming about famous Americans

Tags

CCSS.RI.1.1

CCSS.RI.2.1

CCSS.RI.3.1

CCSS.RL.2.1

CCSS.RL.3.1