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Informational Short Response: Grades 6-8
This Quick Write Middle School collection offers students multiple opportunities to respond to compelling prompts about topics of interest to them. Quick Write assignments can be completed in 20 to 30 minutes. Students gain practice writing in the Information genre as they develop a single paragraph, write in a specific format, or write in response to a current human interest topic, or in response to a video or article based on a topic in the news. Use these Quick Write assignments to motivate students to write in an informal setting, in response to a prompt, or in the Information genre. Encourage students to share their responses with peers through on- or offline peer review.
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Informational Paragraph
Informational Paragraph
In this assignment, students choose from a variety of prompts on interesting topics. Students write a well-organized Paragraph that includes a clear focus statement or main idea about the topic. Students support their main ideas with facts, examples, and quotations from reliable sources. Quick Writes should provide informal practice and can be completed in approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Assign this activity to students multiple times, asking students to choose a different prompt for each session. This will encourage students to gain practice writing in the Information genre.
Duration: 20 to 30 minutes
SKILLS (4):Write an Informational Introduction, Summarize Text/Topic, Cite Text Evidence, Elaborate (Info)STANDARDS:W.7.2.a, W.7.9, W.7.2.bFORMAT:Short ResponseSkills in this Assignment
- Write an Informational Introduction
- Summarize Text/Topic
- Cite Text Evidence
- Elaborate (Info)
Standards in this Assignment
- W.7.2.a
- W.7.9
- W.7.2.b
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Informational Short Response
Informational Short Response
In this assignment, students choose from a variety of prompts that ask them to write about a number of interesting topics. Students write as much as they can in the time provided by stating a focus statement or main idea and supporting it with facts and details about the topic. Quick Writes can be used as an on-demand writing assessment, as a quick and light activity to promote student thought and expression, or as practice writing in the Information genre.
Duration: 20-30 minutes
SKILLS (6):Check Spelling & Punctuation, Use Voice/Style/Tone, Use Correct Grammar, Provide a Strong Conclusion, Elaborate (Info), Provide a Focus StatementSTANDARDS:W.7.5, W.7.2.a, W.7.2.d, W.7.2.e, W.7.2.b, W.7.2.fFORMAT:Short ResponseSkills in this Assignment
- Check Spelling & Punctuation
- Use Voice/Style/Tone
- Use Correct Grammar
- Provide a Strong Conclusion
- Elaborate (Info)
- Provide a Focus Statement
Standards in this Assignment
- W.7.5
- W.7.2.a
- W.7.2.d
- W.7.2.e
- W.7.2.b
- W.7.2.f
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Our World Quick Write Formats: Information
Our World Quick Write Formats: Information
In this assignment, students choose from a variety of compelling prompts based on news stories, videos, or quotations. Students follow the prompt to write an informative piece about their selected topic. Students state a topic sentence or main idea and support it with facts and details from sources, or from their own ideas. Writing about compelling issues gives students practice in informational writing. Use this assignment as quick practice or an informal assessment opportunity.
Duration: 20 - 40 minutes
SKILLS (4):Write an Informational Introduction, Demonstrate Understanding, Consider Language and Word Choice, Elaborate (Info)STANDARDS:W.7.2.a, W.7.2.d, W.7.9, W.7.2.bFORMAT:Short ResponseSkills in this Assignment
- Write an Informational Introduction
- Demonstrate Understanding
- Consider Language and Word Choice
- Elaborate (Info)
Standards in this Assignment
- W.7.2.a
- W.7.2.d
- W.7.9
- W.7.2.b
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Response to Literary Text - Quick Write
Response to Literary Text - Quick Write
Students write a brief Literary Response to literary text, based on a specific reading or on whatever fiction story they are reading in class. Students consider literary features such as characters, plot, and setting to understand the literary texts they read. Then they focus on writing a clear response that includes citing evidence from the text to support their writing. The ability to respond to literary text and to cite supporting evidence in the text, are key skills required by many assignments in the Information genre. Most of the prompts in the assignment include readings.
SKILLS (7):Analyze Literary Elements (LR), Cite Evidence from Text (LR), Demonstrate Comprehension (LR), Demonstrate Understanding, Hook the Reader, Organize for Flow and Logic, Support with Reasons & EvidenceSTANDARDS:W.6-8.2.c, W.6-8.4, W.6-8.9, W.6-8.2.bFORMAT:Short ResponseSkills in this Assignment
- Analyze Literary Elements (LR)
- Cite Evidence from Text (LR)
- Demonstrate Comprehension (LR)
- Demonstrate Understanding
- Hook the Reader
- Organize for Flow and Logic
- Support with Reasons & Evidence
Standards in this Assignment
- W.6-8.2.c
- W.6-8.4
- W.6-8.9
- W.6-8.2.b
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Response to Media Quick Write
Response to Media Quick Write
Students write a brief response to media, based on a specific video or on whatever media they have viewed in class. Students consider features such as characters, plot, setting, and tone, to understand the media. They then focus on writing a clear response that includes citing evidence from the video to support their writing. Media literacy and the ability to cite supporting evidence in the video, are key skills in the Information genre.
SKILLS (5):Identify Main Idea and Details (LR), Demonstrate Understanding, Summarize Text/Topic, Introduce Topic & Subtopics, Support with Reasons & EvidenceSTANDARDS:SL.4-5.3, W.3-5.2.b, W.3-5.2.a, W.3-5.4, SL3-5.2FORMAT:Short ResponseSkills in this Assignment
- Identify Main Idea and Details (LR)
- Demonstrate Understanding
- Summarize Text/Topic
- Introduce Topic & Subtopics
- Support with Reasons & Evidence
Standards in this Assignment
- SL.4-5.3
- W.3-5.2.b
- W.3-5.2.a
- W.3-5.4
- SL3-5.2
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Response to Informational Text - Short Essay
Response to Informational Text - Short Essay
Students write a brief Response to informational Text, based on a specific reading or on whatever informational text they are reading in class. Students consider text features such as facts, quotations, and key details, to understand the texts they read. Then they focus on writing a clear response that includes citing evidence from the text to support their main idea. The ability to respond to informational texts and to cite supporting evidence in the text, are key skills required by many assignments in the Information genre. Most of the prompts in the assignment include readings.
SKILLS (8):Cite Evidence from Text (IR), Determine/Explain Topic, Use Reliable Sources, Choose Words Carefully, Elaborate (Info), Provide a Focus Statement, Organize for Flow and Logic, Support with Reasons & EvidenceSTANDARDS:W.6-8.2.d, W.6-8.8, W.6-8.2.c, W.6-8.4, W.6-8.2, W.6-8.9, W.6-8.9.b, W.6-8.2.b, W.6-8.2.aFORMAT:Short ResponseSkills in this Assignment
- Cite Evidence from Text (IR)
- Determine/Explain Topic
- Use Reliable Sources
- Choose Words Carefully
- Elaborate (Info)
- Provide a Focus Statement
- Organize for Flow and Logic
- Support with Reasons & Evidence
Standards in this Assignment
- W.6-8.2.d
- W.6-8.8
- W.6-8.2.c
- W.6-8.4
- W.6-8.2
- W.6-8.9
- W.6-8.9.b
- W.6-8.2.b
- W.6-8.2.a
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Informational Short Response: Grades 6-8
This Quick Write Middle School collection offers students multiple opportunities to respond to compelling prompts about topics of interest to them. Quick Write assignments can be completed in 20 to 30 minutes. Students gain practice writing in the Information genre as they develop a single paragraph, write in a specific format, or write in response to a current human interest topic, or in response to a video or article based on a topic in the news. Use these Quick Write assignments to motivate students to write in an informal setting, in response to a prompt, or in the Information genre. Encourage students to share their responses with peers through on- or offline peer review.