1.
Write a “Dear _______” with a problem you want to solve.
2.
“Dear _______” will write back with advice to solve your problem
Common Problems:
 Money
 Bad Grades
 Bully
 Friendship/Relationship Problems
 Parental Problems
Biographies tell the basic facts and important events in a person’s life. Autobiographies are about you. A biography is about someone you find interesting or important.
To write a biography you should:
1. Select a person you are interested in
2. Find out the basic facts of the person's life. You can get this through an interview or through research.
3. Some questions you might want to think about include:
* What makes this person special or interesting?
* What kind of effect did he or she have on the world? other people?
* What are the adjectives you would most use to describe the person?
* What events shaped or changed this person's life?
* Did he or she overcome obstacles? Take risks?
* Would the world be better or worse if this person hadn't lived? How and why?
4. Do additional research at your library or on the Internet to find information that helps you answer these questions and tell an interesting story.
5. Write your biography to include:
 An introductory paragraph that introduces your subject and gives a main claim/thesis on your subject
 3 main body paragraphs with specific details about your subject and how it relates to your thesis about him/her/
 A conclusion that sums up your ideas and thoughts about the subject
Step 1:
Provide information about the book: title, author, subject matter, and any other relevant information
Step 2:
State the author’s reason for writing the book. These questions can help you determine the author’s purpose:
 What is the point of view? What is the author’s style?
 Was the author giving information? Explaining technical directions? Convincing the reader? Telling a story?
 Who is the audience?
 What is the genre of the book?
Step 3:

State the theme and thesis of the book.
 Theme: subject or topic of the book
 Thesis: author’s general opinion/claim about the theme
 Use examples and quotes to show how the author supports the thesis
Step 4:
Briefly summarize the book’s content.
 How accurate were the book’s main points?
 Respond to the conclusion and introduction
 Use specific quotes or examples
Step 5:
How well does the book achieve its purpose?
 How did the book affect you?
 Do you have personal experiences that relate?
 Has the book changed your mind about a subject?
 Would you recommend the book? Why or why not?
 How interesting, accurate, objective, thorough, or useful was the book?
 Were the author’s arguments true?
 Respond to the author’s opinions. Do you agree? Why or why not?
 How does the book compare to other books or relate to larger issues?
Step 6:
Try to find further information about the author or discuss the book’s formatting.
 How do layout, binding, images aid/prevent understanding?
Step 1:
After watching the movie, formulate a one-sentence opinion/thesis about the movie. Make sure you have a strong main claim!
Step 2:
Grab the reader with a hook
 Use a quote from the movie and explain
 Compare this movie to others
 Explain how this movie met, exceeded, or failed to meet your expectations
Step 3:
Recap the main parts of the movie. BE CAREFUL NOT TO GIVE AWAY ANY BIG PARTS/KEY
MOMENTS!!
Step 4:
Back your thesis or opinions with main elements of the movie.

 How was the acting? Main characters? Minor characters?
 How effective was the directing?
 How effective was the lighting? The sound?
 How effective were the costumes?
 How effective was the cinematography?
 Use specific examples, details, or quotes
**Be interesting and honest.
Step 1:
Give any important information about the song: producer, singer, group, or album.
Step 2:
Form a specific statement of your overall opinion about the song?
Step 3:
Develop your opinion on key elements of the song:
1.
How does the song relate/compare to other songs of its genre? Is it memorable?
2.
Do all parts work together to create a final piece?
3.
Is the song original sounding? Is the wording original?
4.
Does it have a consistent beat?
5.
Do the parts fit together?
6.
Is it on key?
7.
Do the instrumentals/vocals work well?
8.
What is your overall impression of the song?
 Involves description and details about what the reader is seeing, hearing, smelling, and touching
 Told from a particular point of view
 Makes and supports a point
 Uses conflict
 Can use dialogue
 Use active verbs
 Starts at the beginning and goes chronologically/can also use flashbacks
 Use transitions to connect ideas and increase writing flow
 Stories have plot, characters, setting, a climax, and an ending
 Remember you are telling a story—involve your readers!
Step 1:
Pick a subject that you have personal knowledge about
Step 2:
Think of personal anecdotes or experiences that you can relate to this subject

Step 3:
Create a hook that will draw the reader into your article. This will go at the beginning of the piece.
Step 4:
Create a thesis/main claim about your topic. This will be the last sentence of your first paragraph.
Step 5:
Use descriptive writing and narrative writing strategies to create a piece of writing that connects your hook, thesis, and relevant anecdotes.