When some people think about Texas, they think of cowboys on the open range-herding cattle up a dusty trail. However, Texas has much more than open prairie with large herds of cows. There are the mountains of West Texas, the piney hills of east Texas, and the emerald waters off the coast of Padre Island. Texas also has large coastal harbors with numerous sailboats, powerboats, inland lakes, rivers, swamps of southeast Texas with alligators and other exotic wildlife.

What is the main thing the author is trying to tell us?

Ice-cream is a delicious frozen treat that comes in a many different colors and flavors. Two of my favorite flavors are strawberry and chocolate. Though both of these flavors are delicious, strawberry may contain pieces of fruit while chocolate usually will not. Chocolate comes from a cacao bean, while strawberry is picked as a fruit.  Even though more chocolate ice-cream is sold across the country annually than strawberry, each flavor tastes great inside of a milk shake. 

What text structure is this?

We have celebrated Independence Day with a fireworks show on the first Saturday of July ever since our town was incorporated in 1963. This celebration has brought together the old and the young alike in a mutual display of patriotism and national pride. We regret to inform you that due to problems with the budget, there will be no fireworks show this year... unless we can raise the $20,000 to pay for the show. You can help by donating your old knickknacks. We are having a charity garage sale this Saturday and all proceeds will go toward the fireworks show. If you do not have any knickknacks, we will also accept money, printer cartridges, and old cell phones. Together, we can keep these hard times from becoming bad times. 

What text structure is this?

Every morning, I wake up at about 7:00 AM. The first thing I do is make my bed and pick out the clothes I’m going to wear. Then, I brush my teeth and take a shower. After my shower, I dry my hair and get dressed.

What text structure is this?

Today more people are connected to the internet than ever before, not only at home, but also on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. Many of these people now get their news from the internet rather than reading newspapers. As a consequence, many newspapers have gone out of business.

What text structure is this?

“The best things in life are free,” they say, which is true for things like libraries. However, it is not true for many museums. The Philadelphia Museum of Art, for example, costs $20 to get in. Traveling exhibits, such as the work of a certain artist that is touring the country, almost always cost even more. People must pay to get into the museum and also pay for the special showing. That means people who don’t have much money cannot enjoy the art.

Which of the following is a good claim the author could add to this paragraph?

What is one reason the author gives to support their point?

What is one reason the author gives that supports their point?

Madagascar is an island off the coast of Africa. It has such a rare population of animals and plants that some ecologists call it the eighth continent of the world. Over 70 percent of Madagascar’s wildlife and 90 percent of its plants are found nowhere else in the world. The most common example is the lemur. All species of wild lemur can only be found on this African island. Due to deforestation, they are all currently classified as endangered. Madagascar is also home to the third-largest coral reef system called Toliara.

How does the author support the point that Madagascar is important to the lemur population?

Check all the examples of informative writing.

Check all the examples of persuasive writing.

Check all the examples of entertainment writing.

Judy Glen's amazing Wrinkle Remover cream will make you look younger in thirty days or less. This remarkable cream has special ingredients to make your wrinkles disappear. The cost for a thirty day supply is $ 25.99. Send your check to P.O. Box , Shelton, CA 55555

What is the author's purpose for this text? 

The Underground Railroad was a secret organization which helped slaves escape to freedom. Many slaves were able to escape because of the conductors and station masters. The northern states were free states and slaves were free once they arrived in the north. Secret codes and signals were used to identify the conductors and station masters. 

What is the author's purpose for this text?

Joe had been fishing for over two hours without a single bite. Suddenly there was a nibble at the end of his fishing line.  He stood up on the boat and leaned out too far.  Just then there was a sharp yank on the line.  Joe fell overboard and landed head first into the water. Joe and his friends laughed and laughed.

What is the author's purpose for this text?

In this example, what do you think "crescendo" means?

During the song's crescendo, the part where the music gets louder, the trumpets can be heard over the singer's voice.

In this example, what do you think "facet" means?

Blake studied every facet of the statue, and every part of it impressed him.

The scared rock climber balanced precariously on the edge of the cliff.

Based on the sentence, what do you think the underlined word means?

The mood was somber at the funeral of the former president.

Based on the sentence, what do you think the underlined word means?

In order to avoid plagiarism, you have to include ____________________ in your essay, or give credit to the authors of source information.

You must have a clear ____________________, which is your statement of a position or opinion about a topic.

You must ____________________ your reasons, or back them up with details.

Credible or Not Credible? Wikipedia

If your claim is, “Students should wear school uniforms,” your counterclaim would be ...

What type of word/phrase should be used at the beginning of each body paragraph to help your essay move from one reason to another more smoothly?

We write argumentative pieces to...

More specific type of support; different kinds are facts, statistics, examples, observations, quotations, and expert opinions.

An author’s position on an argument or controversy.

Claim or not a claim: The national animal of Canada should be the moose not the beaver.

Which of the following is an example of a claim?

Citizens of the Fairlawn Park area look with alarm at the evil plot to change a beautiful spot into a baseball park. If this malicious plan is carried out, the lovely trees in the park will be chopped down. Values of the property within the area will drop sharply as the park fills with the filth and debris of the bulldozers and other equipment. Later the shrieks of the young ruffians who take over the park will destroy the peace and quiet of the neighborhood. Obviously no one cares about the poor citizen who has worked hard to pay for his home and to keep up with his taxes.
The author is biased against...

What does it mean to show bias?

"Reading for pleasure is a waste of time."

Describe this sentence.

If the author uses positive language about a topic, they are _________ about the topic.

If the author using negative language, they are __________ about the topic.

What skill can we use to determine if bias is present?

A skilled reader can look at the __________ and _________ to determine if there is bias.

4. Carlos wants to know the favorite sport of people at his school so he asks his friends in the class.

An animals' rights activists writes the following:

Deer are beautiful creatures. They are so graceful to watch as they run through the forest. It's

hard to understand how anyone could do anything to harm these beautiful animals.

Is this author biased?

Bias happens when the author shows favoritism for something or someone based on personal background

Moreover, 76 percent of adults who have children in high school or middle school today say they encourage their children to play sports.

This is an example of which type of evidence?

The ACL is a major ligament in the knee that can tear. The injury to the ligament, a strong band of tissue connecting bones, occurs more often in sports with sudden stops, jumps and changes in direction.

This is an example of which type of evidence?

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), flossing is an essential part of taking care of your teeth and gums.

"The Burmese python is a major threat to the biodiversity of the Everglades," said Kristina King, invasive species expert at the Nature Conservancy in Florida.

What type of evidence is this?

What type of evidence is this?

As a mother and father are deciding whether to get a dog for their kids, the father explains that when he was a kid, his dog was his best friend. After telling that story, they decide to adopt a dog.

What type of evidence is this?

Poisonous animals, such as snakes, spiders, scorpions, and even pufferfish, can cause harm to humans and other animals within just a few seconds of contact.

A narrative is...

A struggle between opposing forces

The perspective of a story (ex: first person, third person)

Comparing two unlike things using "like" or "as" (ex: she was as sweet as honey)

Comparison of two unlike things without using "like" or "as"

The central idea, message, or purpose of a literary work. (Ex: change)

The sequence of related events that make up a story or novel.

Giving human characteristics to something nonhuman

A character struggles with an outside force, such as another character, society, or something in nature.

The character struggles with his or her own needs, desires, or emotions.

"Don't lie to me," his teacher warned him. "I'm tired of your constant excuses."

"It's not an excuse," Jayman whined. "My dog really did eat my homework."

This is an example of...

Narrative writing tells a fictional story to ........... the reader.

What is sensory language?

"As the music started, Elisha tapped out the beat with her right foot before springing into the air and beginning her dance routine."

The POV of this sentence is...

What is an example of an ANTAGONIST for the story of Cinderella?

Which part of the plot diagram represents the events that show the conflict being resolved and leads to the end of the story?

A good setting helps create a ________________

An independent clause:

What type of clause is this?

My friend brought me a cookie.

What type of clause is this?

My brother never eats breakfast.

What type of clause is this?

While she answered the question.

What type of clause is this?

Jeff ran.

What type of clause is this?

Because I had so much homework to do last night.

The boy was going to school, but he was very tired and wanted to sleep instead.

What type of sentence is this?

Since I am really tired, I'm just going to stay home tonight.

What type of sentence is this?

I can't wait to go to Disney World.

What type of sentence is this?

A group of words that do NOT form a complete thought

I love to eat Cheetos, Fritos, and Doritos.

What type of sentence is this?

Which one of these is NOT a conjunction?

What is a conjunction?

What does a compound sentence need?

Is the underlined pronoun a subject or object pronoun?

My friends usually come talk to me.

Which of the sentences below contains a vague pronoun?

How would you correct the below sentence to fix the vague pronoun without changing the meaning of the sentence?

Julie told Emily to make the call on her cell phone.

When a commercial tries to make you laugh

When a dentist is in a toothpaste commercial

"Save 15% or more on car insurance"