8th grade Bellringers
Mrs. Goble
2013-2014
Warm-up #1:
 Understanding an Expository Prompt:
The cost of gasoline has risen drastically.
Think of alternatives to paying such outrageous prices for fuel.
Write to explain what alternatives you would use to save
money.
Warm-up #2:
 Understanding a Persuasive Prompt
A school board is considering keeping school in session all year.
Instead of a long summer vacation, there will be many shorter
breaks throughout the year.
Think about the effects of a twelve-month school year. Do you
agree or disagree that schools should be in session all year?
Now, write an essay in which you persuade the reader why this
is or is not a good idea. Defend your position with specific
reasons supported by several detailed examples.
Warm-up #3:
Effective Leads/Hooks
Prompt:
Many high school students hold part-time jobs after school.
Think about the effects part-time jobs have on students. Do part-time jobs hinder
or help a student’s educational goals?
Now write to convince your guidance counselor to accept your view of high
school students holding part-time jobs.
Directions:
1.
Circle the word that tells whether it’s an expository or persuasive prompt.
Underline the topic you are to write about.
2.
Write an effective lead/hook. **No questions
Warm-up #4:
The principal at your school has been asked to discuss with a parent
group the effect of watching television on students’ grades.
Think about how watching television can hurt students’ grades.
Write to convince your principal to accept the view that watching
television hurts students’ grades.
Directions:
1. Circle the word that tells whether it’s an expository or
persuasive prompt. Underline the topic you are to write about.
2. Write an effective lead/hook. **No questions
Warm-up #5:
Prompt:
Technology has become vital in our modern society. It acts as both a
source for knowledge and for enjoyment.
Think about technology’s role and connection with education. Does
it help or hinder?
Write to convince the school board to accept your view of
technology and its role in your school.
Directions:
1. Circle the word that tells whether it’s an expository or
persuasive prompt. Underline the topic you are to write about.
2. Write 2 sentences of background information (extra info. not
related to thesis)
Warm-up #6:
Everyone has jobs or chores. These may be things people do because
they are asked to do them or because doing the job makes them feel
good about themselves.
Think about one of your jobs.
Now write to explain why it is important to have jobs or chores.
Directions:
1. Circle the word that tells whether it’s an expository or
persuasive prompt. Underline the topic you are to write about.
2. Write 2 sentences of background information (extra info. not
related to thesis)
Warm-up #7:
Prompt:
Your school has decided to grant your grade level one privilege that
the other grades in your school do not have.
Think of one privilege that your class does not have that you would
now like to have.
Now write to convince the administrators of your school to grant
this privilege to your class for the rest of the year.
Directions:
1. Circle the word that tells whether it’s an expository or
persuasive prompt. Underline the topic you are to write about.
What are your (3) reasons supporting?
2. Write a thesis statement [(1)sentence responding to the prompt
containing (3) reasons]
Warm-up #8:
Writing Situation:
Throughout history many important things have been made or
invented.
Directions for Writing:
Before you begin to write, think about an invention that has been
important to people. Now, write an essay to explain why this one
invention has been important.
Directions:
1. Circle the word that tells whether it’s an expository or
persuasive prompt. Underline the topic you are to write about.
What are your (3) reasons supporting?
2. Write a thesis statement [(1)sentence responding to the prompt
containing (3) reasons]
Warm-up #9:
Prompt:
Your school board members have been asked to consider banning music
playing devices (i.e. MP3 players, CD players) from schools due to
distractions they cause in classrooms.
Think about the effects of listening to music playing devices in the
classroom have on you and your friends.
Now write to convince your school board members to accept your point of
view on whether music playing devices should be banned from schools.
Directions:
1. Circle the word that tells whether it’s an expository or persuasive
prompt. Underline the topic you are to write about. What are your
(3) reasons supporting?
2. Write an introduction paragraph (following the format taught)