Transcript Slide 1

REMEMBER THIS?
Consider how the following quotation is related to you.
"Those who cannot learn from the past are doomed to repeat
it."-George Santayana
Write an essay explaining what this quotation means to you.
Use details and examples in your essay.
Explanatory Writing Prompts
• Explanatory prompts ask you to write an essay,
based on a quote or topic.
• You will have 25 minutes to develop an essay based
on the prompt.
– This means you need to create 3 well-written, fully
developed paragraphs.
• How would YOU plan your writing?
• In your journal, brainstorm what the 3 paragraphs
could include. (Talk to a partner…)
– My FIRST paragraph could be about or include…
– My SECOND paragraph could be about or include…
– My THIRD paragraph could be about or include…
2
Explanatory Prompt: Sample
(Grades 6-8)
Life is not always fair. Sometimes, this can cause people
do the wrong thing for the right reason.
Write an essay that describes a time where you had to
do the wrong thing for the right reason. Explain why
you made this choice and how it affected your life. Be
sure to include details and facts to support your
explanation.
3
Explanatory Writing Prompts
• Explanatory prompts ask you to write an essay,
based on a quote or topic.
• You will have 25 minutes to develop an essay based
on the prompt.
• In your response… (Ms. D’s suggestions)
– First, explain or describe the quote or topic
• (in your own words / give your opinion / include information
from the prompt)
– Second, make a TEXT TO SELF CONNECTION
• (tell a story from your life that relates)
– Third, make a TEXT TO WORLD or TEXT TO TEXT
CONNECTION
• (tell a story from history or compare it to something you’ve read)
• Key words: “write an essay…” explain, analyze,
discuss, describe
4
Explanatory Prompt
Consider how the following quotation is
related to you.
We all must try to be the best person we can:
by making the best choices, by making the
most of the talents we've been given.
-Mary Lou Retton
Write an essay explaining what this
quotation means to you. Use details and
examples in your essay.
Explanatory Prompt: Sample
(Grades 6-8)
Many students enjoy doing something special for their
family and friends. For example, they may take care of
their younger sibling or help to cook a favorite meal.
Write an essay that describes something special that
you would like to do for your family or friends. Explain
why this would be something special and how your
family or friends might react. Be sure to include details
and facts to support your explanation.
6
Explanatory Prompt: Sample
(Grades 6-8)
As part of a language arts class assignment, you have been
asked to consider how the following quotation is related to
you.
“If you find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn’t
lead anywhere.”
--Anonymous
Write an essay explaining what this quotation means to you.
Use details and examples in your essay.
7
Explanatory Prompt: Sample
(Grades 6-8)
Life can be full of pleasant surprises. Identify a time
when you experienced a pleasant surprise.
Write an essay about a time when you experienced a
pleasant surprise. Explain why this surprise was
unexpected and how it affected your life in a positive
way. Be sure to explain your choice by using details and
examples.
8
Explanatory Prompt: Sample
(Grades 6-8)
Consider how the following quotation is related to you.
“It is not enough to have a good mind. The main thing is to
use it well.”
René Descartes (1596 – 1650)
Write an essay explaining what this quotation means to you.
Use details and examples in your essay.
9