Writing Workshop
CYOAP Survey
Spring 2013 Pierce/Quatmann
You will use the results of this survey to help you plan your CYOAP. The survey looks at THREE parts of your project: Genre, Style and Topic.
Upload the SURVEY to Google Docs. Be sure you have your settings adjusted so that this converts to a Google Doc when you upload it.
Name the file: CYOAP Last (CYOAP Pierce or CYOAP Bieber)
Include a space between CYOAP and your name.
You will add your CYOAP Proposal to the same file.
You will complete your actual writing of the CYOAP on the same file.
Part I: Forced Choice Options
For each pair below, write in the one that most interests you at this time.
Would you rather write:
1
OPTIONS
A story or a report?
2
3
A poem or a story?
A true story or a fictional story?
4
5
6
7
A realistic story or a fantasy story?
A contemporary (modern) story or a historical story?
A personal narrative/memoir or a fictional story?
A biography or an adventure story?
YOUR CHOICE
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
An animal story or a “teen” story?
A retelling of an event in history or a diary/journal in the voice of someone in the past?
A letter to an elected official or an editorial in a newspaper?
A picture book or a narrative poem?
An analysis of a problem or an ode to a treasured object?
An obituary for Wydown or a description of the construction process for our new school?
The results of a survey or the outcomes of an interview?
A description of an event or a rationale for a political position?

Part II: Elements of Style
For each element below, indicate whether this is a strength or something you’re currently on to improve. Recall that your CYOAP should challenge you to develop your skills as a writer. You will select 1-2 elements of style to focus on in your revisions. Place an “X” in the appropriate box.
NOTE: You may mark something as a “strength” and still choose to work on it through your CYOAP.
NOTE: Refer to the STYLE HANDOUT from Unit 2 to help you think about each element listed below.
ELEMENT STRENGTH NOT BAD WORKING ON
IT
1 Sentence Structure
2 Pace
3 Word Choice
4 Figures of Speech
5 Dialogue
6 Point of View
7 Character Development
8 Tone
9 Paragraph Development
10 Time Sequence
11 Experimentation

Part III: Thesis Statements
For five topics below, craft a tentative thesis statement that reflects your thinking on the topic.
NOTE: Recall that your CYOAP should address a social issue that has significance for
you!
NOTE: Your thesis can be implied in your CYOAP.
1
2
The social and emotional climate in middle school
The frustrations and/or celebrations associated with being 13
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4
5
The inclusion of movie-related toys in Happy Meals
The use of nuclear power plants to “feed” our hunger for electricity
The ideal balance between social and academic “goals” in middle school
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7
The best entertainers for teen audiences
The current vs. future uses of technology in middle school
8 The challenges of juggling friendships and your own individual values.
9 YOU CHOOSE! -- Write a topic for yourself and then write your own thesis statement for
10 YOU CHOOSE! -- Write a topic for yourself and then write your own thesis statement for it.