5th Grade Prompts
Fall work sample
Narrative
1. Everyone has a favorite place that brings about special memories. Tell a true story
about an experience in one of your favorite places.
Expository
2. Explain how to make your favorite food. For example how to make enchiladas, a
peanut butter and jelly sandwich, spaghetti, macaroni and cheese or whatever is your
favorite food.
Imaginative
3. Imagine that you are alone at the river at night. Suddenly, you see lights far out on the
river. Make up a story about what happens to you.
Winter work sample
Narrative
1. Write a personal narrative about trying something for the first time. Describe what it
was and how it went.
Expository
2. You have learned about many people who have made a difference in the world. You
can help make the world a better place too. Think about how you could make the world
safer, happier, or easier. In an essay explain what you could do now to improve the world
or what you could do as an adult.
Persuasive
3. Think of a pet that would be good to have in your classroom at school. In an essay
CONVINCE your teacher that your class should get this pet.
Spring (state assessment) work sample
Narrative
1. Write a true story that tells about something special to you that you will never throw
away.
Expository
2. Inventions are all around us. For instance, the telephone, television and automobile are
all inventions. Even simple things like buttons and forks had to be invented by someone.
Think of ONE invention that is not listed here and use examples to EXPLAIN how this
invention has been helpful OR harmful to people.
Imaginative
3. Imagine that you were on a cruise ship that wrecked and left you on a deserted island.
Write a story that explains what happened to you while you were on the island.