FOA 1
Many words act as a noun and a verb. For
example, the word bug can refer to an insect or to
the act of bothering someone. A picture of a bug
bugging a puppy would show both meanings.
Draw a picture that shows another word as a
noun and as a verb. Write a sentence that
contains the word twice and describes what is
happening in the picture. Now invent an
appropriate name for this kind of word.
FOA 2
An autobiography is the story of a person’s
life written by that person. Think about the
life you hope to live. Create and explain a
meaningful one-word title for your
autobiography about that life. (The title
cannot be your name.) Next, invent a
quote from a longtime friend that could
appear on the back cover and would
encourage people to buy the book.
FOA 3
A prefix is a word part that is added in front
of a word. The prefix im- means “not”. The
prefix super- means “higher” or “greater”.
The prefix semi- means “half” or “partly.”
Invent three words to describe yourself.
Each of the words should contain a
different one of the prefixes defined above.
Then write a sentence or two explaining
why each word is appropriate to describe
you.
FOA 4
Homophones are words that sound alike but
have different meanings and spellings.
Right and write, for example, are
homophones. Think of other homophone
pairs. Write the two words in a way that
will help someone remember their
meaning. For example, the word right
could be written very close to the right
edge of the paper, while the word write
could appear to come from a pen tip.
FOA 5
• A symbol is an object that stands for an
idea. For example, four-leaf clovers and
horseshoes are both symbols for luck. Do
you believe in luck? Do you think there is
anything a person can do to become more
or less “Lucky”? Explain.
FOA 6
• An understatement is a statement that is
weakened to convey a stronger meaning.
Fore example, after an ice skater tripped
entering a rink, fell during a spin, and
ripped her costume, she might say, “This
has not been my best day.” What she
actually means is that it has been a
horrible day. Describe a day when the
President or your favorite actor might use
that same understatement.
FOA 7
• Describe the taste, smell, and appearance
of the most unusual food you’re ever
eaten.
FOA 8
• Imagine your school is holding an election
for Best Part of Speech. Write the
campaign speech you would give in
support of the part of speech you feel
should win the election.
FOA 9
• A compound noun is a noun made up of
two or more words. For example, the
words wallpaper and sunlight are
compound nouns. Think of two other
compound nouns. Mix up the two parts of
the words to create two new compound
nouns. For example, wallpaper and
sunlight could be mixed up to create
sunpaper and walllight. Write an ad for
one of the crazy new items you’ve named.
FOA 10
• A suffix is a word part that is added at the end of
a word. The suffix –ist means “one who.” The
suffix –less means “without.” The suffixes –able
and –ible mean “capable of being.” Invent three
words to describe the person you hope to be
someday. Each of the words should contain a
different one of the suffixes defined above. Then
write a sentence or two explaining why each
word describes how you hope to be.
FOA 11
• Homophones are words that sound alike
but have different meanings and spellings.
Right and write, for example, are
homophones. Think of other homophone
pairs. Write the two words in a way that
will help someone remember their
meanings. For example, the word right
could be written very close to the right
edge of the paper; while the word write
could appear to come from a pen tip.
FOA 12
• Would you rather be a writer or an editor?
Why?
FOA 13
• Which discovery do you think had the
greatest impact on history: the wheel or a
system of writing? Explain your view.
FOA 14
• Which do you think is more important in
writing: correct grammar or correct
spelling? Explain your view.
FOA 15
• How much impact do you think computers
will have on learning in the future? Do you
think textbooks, pencils, and pens will
eventually disappear? Explain your views.
FOA 16
• The author James Michener once said,”I’m
not a very good writer, but I’m an excellent
rewriter.” How is rewriting different from
writing? Write two job descriptions: one for
a writer and one for a rewriter. Be sure to
list the different skills each position
requires.
FOA 17
• A pet peeve is something a person finds
extremely annoying. What is your
grammar pet peeve? In other words, what
grammar error do you find particularly
irritating when you hear or read it? Invent
an appropriate name for this type of error
and explain what a writer can do to try to
avoid it.
FOA 18
• An abstract noun names something (an
idea, quality, etc.) that cannot be touched.
Happiness, for example, is an abstract
noun. Brainstorm at least five abstract
nouns. Now write one of the words and
decorate its letters in a way that
demonstrates its meaning.
FOA 19
• Design the cover for a magazine called
“Parts of Speech.”
FOA 20
• Which of these do you think you could do
without more easily: the ability to read or
the ability to write? Explain.
FOA 21
• Some studies show that 75 percent of the
people in the United States have a fear of
speaking in front of a group. Invent a silly
new way for someone to try to overcome
this fear.
FOA 22
• Plagiarism is the act of taking another
person’s words or ideas and presenting
them as your own. What do you think is
an appropriate punishment for plagiarism?
Explain why you think the punishment is
appropriate.
FOA 23
• Invent a business that has to do with
language arts in some way. What will it be
called? What kings of items or services will
it offer? Who is likely to shop there or use
the services?
FOA 24
• Are you more like a newspaper or a
novel? Explain
FOA25
• Imagine you work on a writing assembly
line. Each person on the line performs a
different step in the writing process
(prewriting, drafting, evaluating, revising,
editing, or publishing). Which station would
you choose? Why?
FOA 26
• The word set has more meanings than any
other English word. Write as many
definitions as you can for set. When you
have finished, check a dictionary to see
how many of the word’s meanings you did
not identify.
FOA 27
• Recipes are basically detailed directions
for making a dish. Think about a dish you
know how to make. (It can be as simple as
a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.) Write
silly directions for how not to make that
dish.
FOA 28
• Persuasive writing attempts to convince a
reader to act or take a position for or
against something. Write a paragraph or
two in which you try to convince a reader
that watching paint dry is a fascinating
activity.
FOA 29
• A person’s theme song is a song that
represents the person or is closely
associated with him or her. Think of a real
song that could serve as your theme song.
Explain why it is just right for you.
FOA 30
• Write the first paragraph of a news story
you hope will appear in your local
newspaper someday. Be sure your
paragraph tells who, what, where, when,
and why.