Name:________________________________Homeroom:___________ Date:_______________
Expository Writing Prompts- Responding to a SITUATION
1. Imagine that you could give advice to someone—it could be someone you know personally, a
historical figure, or a famous person living today. Write an essay that identifies the person and
the advice you would give. Choose a familiar subject so that you can provide details and
elaboration that explain why this person needs your advice.
2.
In an essay, explain how disappointments can have a good side.
3.
Write an essay explaining why someone you care about is important to you.
4.
"Dress for success" is a phrase all of us have heard before, but it means something different
to each person. Write an essay explaining what "dress for success" means to you.
5.
Write an essay to explain why honesty is important in a friendship.
6.
Through the years new inventions have changed the way we live. Think about one
invention that has had an impact on the way you live. Now write to explain to your teacher how
this invention has changed your life.
7.
Write an essay explaining how you changed when you entered middle school.
8.
The amount of graffiti has greatly increased at your school. The members of the school
board must find ways to stop the graffiti. Write a composition in which you fully explain the
solution the school board could use to solve this problem.
9.
There are both good things and bad things about playing on a team, such as the school
soccer team or the school volleyball team. Write a composition for your teacher in which you
explain both what is good and what is bad about playing on a school team. Be sure to explain
each point fully.
10. A role model is a person you look up to. Before you begin writing, think about someone you
look up to. Why do you admire this person? Write a composition in which you explain to your
classmates whom you admire and why you admire this person.
11. What
bugs you? Write a passage about some of the things that bug you the most. Be sure to
give examples and explain why these things bug you and what you would do to change them.
NOTICE: There are four specific parts to this question.
Use the question like a checklist. When you read your completed work over, check off each part
of the question that you have completed.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Write a passage about some of the things that bug you the most.
Be sure to give examples and
explain why these things bug you and
what you would do to change them.
12. Some people think that children as young as 14 should be allowed to get their driving
licenses. Write an essay in which you explain the effects this would have, if any, on education,
transportation, and the local economy.
13. If you were given a chance to pick any place to go for vacation, where would it be? Write a
passage about the place you'd pick for a vacation. Be sure to explain why you picked that place
and what you would do in that place.
14. If you were to be any celebrity for a day, who would you be? Write a passage about the
celebrity you'll pick for a day. Be sure to explain why you picked him/her, what you would do
during that day, and what ways, if any, you would change their personalities.
15. How do you feel about taking the New Jersey Ask Test? If you could change it, what would
you change, assuming there had to be some sort of way for the state to see how much you know?
Be sure to include details and examples that support your point.
16. What do you like to do? Write a passage about your favorite things to do. Be sure to include
details and reasons that help explain why you enjoy the things you do.
Name:________________________________Homeroom:___________ Date:_______________
Expository Writing Prompts- Responding to a QUOTATION/ADAGE
1. As part of a language arts class assignment, you have been asked to consider how the
following quotation is related to you.
"Triumphs without difficulties are empty. Indeed; it is difficulties that make the triumph.
It is no feat to travel the smooth road."
--Unknown
Write an essay explaining what these quotations mean to you. Use details and examples in your
essay.
NOTICE: For this explanatory prompt, there are four specific parts to this question.
Use the question like a checklist. When you read your completed work over, check off each part
of the question that you have completed.
1. Consider how the following quotation is related to you
2. ...explain what this quotation means to you.
3. Use details and
4. examples in your essay
2. As part of a language arts class assignment, you have been asked to consider how the
following quotations are related to you.
"The secret of success is constancy of purpose."
--Benjamin Disraeli
“Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there.”
--Will Rogers
Write an essay explaining what these quotations mean to you. Use details and examples in your
essay.
For this explanatory prompt, there are four specific parts to this question.
Use the question like a checklist. When you read your completed work over, check off each part
of the question that you have completed.
1. Consider how the following quotation is related to you
2. ...explain what this quotation means to you.
3. Use details and
4. examples in your essay
3. As part of a language arts class assignment, you have been asked to consider how the
following quotations are related to you.
"A word to the wise is sufficient."
--Plautus
“Experience is the teacher of fools.”
--Livy
Write an essay explaining what these quotations mean to you. Use details and examples in your
essay.
4. As part of a language arts class assignment, you have been asked to consider how the
following quotation is related to you.
On emotions:
“Mad, sad, glad; what else is there?” - Spider Robinson
Do you agree or disagree with Mr. Robinson’s conclusion? Explain your point of view clearly,
defending your position with relevant examples.
5. As part of a language arts class assignment, you have been asked to consider how the
following quotation is related to you.
“If A is a success in life, then A equals x plus y plus z. Work is x; y is play; and z is keeping
your mouth shut.”
--Albert Einstein
Do you agree or disagree with Mr. Einstein’s conclusion? Explain your point of view clearly,
defending your position with relevant examples.
6. As part of a language arts class assignment, you have been asked to consider how the
following quotation is related to you.
"Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today."
-- Anonymous
Do you agree or disagree with this idea? Explain your point of view clearly, defending your
position with relevant examples.
7. As part of a language arts class assignment, you have been asked to consider how the
following quotation is related to you.
“Do not bite at the bait of pleasure till you know there is no hook beneath it.” -Thomas
Jefferson
Do you agree or disagree with Mr. Jefferson? Explain your point of view clearly, defending your
position with relevant examples.
8. As part of a language arts class assignment, you have been asked to consider how the
following quotation is related to you.
“I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet
any national crises. The great point is to bring them the real facts.” -Abraham Lincoln
Do you agree or disagree with Mr. Lincoln's assessment of the American public? Explain your
point of view clearly, defending your position with relevant examples.