One of the best persuasive prompts I used last year combined expository as well as persuasive. For too long the prompts have been about homework, or cigaretts or too much TV. This prompt stems for something that they see as an in justice or a wrong or an actual historical issue, but not as controversial as abortion or gay marriage . . not at a 7th grade level. For instance, No Animal Testing or Gun Control. Students research the topic (expository) and then write with facts and data to support their opinion as well as facts presented by 'the other side'. It is a lot of reading since students choose their own 'issue', but the interest is high and the writing is higher. This of course was done in my three honors class. We brainstormed, researched, learned one more time how to cite sources, and wrote. In my Basics and Below Basics we discussed the pros and cons of students being paid for good grades. With discussion, these classes came up with good sound reasons to support either side. We did try to find research on it but it was enough for them to express their opinions with support. Hope this will spur you to even better ideas that you will share.
Wendy ---- TLP <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Since our school relies on a bi-annual writing prompt to assess > writing I have been put on a committee to come up with prompts. I am > at a loss and hope you can help me. What has been a worthwhile prompt > for writing that is interesting and allows for writing skills to be > determined. Do I think this is the best way to evaluate writing? No > Way! But I certainly hope to get some new prompts. The last prompt was > " In your opinion what are the qualities of a good friend?" > Guess how many laundry lists that contained words like loyal, helpful > understanding I read!!!! I felt like I was reading about a golden > retriever...Seriously, can you help find some good writing prompts? > the best I have seen are persuasive but we are after a variety such as > descriptive, persuasive and expository.. What do you think? -, > Tena > > _______________________________________________ > The Literacy Workshop ListServ http://www.literacyworkshop.org > > To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to > http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/lit_literacyworkshop.org. > > Search the LIT archives at http://snipurl.com/LITArchive _______________________________________________ The Literacy Workshop ListServ http://www.literacyworkshop.org To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/lit_literacyworkshop.org. Search the LIT archives at http://snipurl.com/LITArchive
