In this assignment, students plan and write an Argument Essay on a topic they feel strongly about. Students use an Argument Essay Planner; a graphic organizer that will help them plan their essays. Students use the Planner to create a strong introduction with an engaging hook and a clearly stated claim and come up with reasons and evidence to support their claim. Then students draft their Argument Essay, using the ideas from the Planner to develop an organized essay with a clearly stated claim.

Students plan and draft an Op-Ed about an issue they feel strongly about. They fill in an Op-Ed Graphic Organizer with their claim and questions to be asked and answered. Then students draft their Op-Eds, using information from the Graphic Organizer to state their claim and describe reasons and evidence that support it. When drafting their Op-Eds, students anticipate and refute a counterargument. Students conclude by briefly restating their claims and leaving readers with call-to-action.

In this assignment, students plan and write an Informative Essay on a topic of their choice. Students use an Informative Essay Graphic Organizer to plan their essays. Students use the Graphic Organizer to create a strong introduction with a clear thesis statement. They develop their main idea and support it with evidence from their reading and research. Then students draft their Informative Essay, using information from the Planner to develop an organized essay with a clear thesis statement and relevant main ideas and evidence.

Students use a Compare-and-Contrast Planner to plan a Compare-and-Contrast Argument comparing two items of their choice. Students fill in the planner with information comparing and contrasting the two items. Then students write their Arguments, following a Compare-and-Contrast format consisting of an introduction that includes their central idea, a body paragraph describing similarities, another body paragraph describing differences, and a conclusion that summarizes the comparison and leaves readers with a final thought.

In this assignment, students plan and write a How-To Essay explaining how something works or describing how to do something. Students use the How-To Essay Graphic Organizer to plan their Essay. They begin by describing the topic and audience so they can consider the reader as they plan. Students then describe the steps in order, using appropriate details. Students then draft their How-To Essay, writing in a clear voice and keeping the steps in proper order. Students conclude by discussing the results of the process or by offering possible next steps for readers to follow.

In this assignment, students plan and write a Literary Analysis analyzing a reading selection and explaining how the reading is a good example of its particular literary genre. Students use the Literary Analysis Planner to plan their analysis. They complete the Graphic Organizer by filling in a thesis statement, elements of the genre, key points, and evidence from the text to support their point. Then students draft their Literary Analysis, using information from the Planner to develop an organized analysis with a clear thesis statement, key points, and relevant evidence from the text.

In this assignment, students plan and draft a newspaper article about a newsworthy event or a person of special interest. Students use the Newspaper Planner to record the 5Ws, list interview questions and answers, and write down quotes. After planning, students write a newspaper article beginning with an exciting lead and organizing information so the most important facts are up front.

Students use the Newspaper Article Graphic Organizer to plan and draft a Newspaper Article about a newsworthy topic in their school or community. Students fill in the Graphic Organizer with information about the 5Ws. They develop their information with quotes about the topic. Then students draft their article using the information from the Graphic Organizer to write their article. Students begin with an engaging lead and organize their information so the most important facts and details come first.

In this assignment, students research, plan, and draft a Research Report on a topic of interest to them. Students use a Research Report Planner to plan their reports. Students research the topic and develop research questions to narrow down their topic. They then fill in the Research Report Planner with a clear thesis statement, key ideas and evidence, as well as citations for a variety of relevant sources. After researching and planning their topic, students draft their Research Report, including evidence from a variety of relevant sources to support their thesis statement. Students correctly cite each source and conclude by summarizing their key ideas.

In this assignment, students plan and write a Fictional Narrative. Students use a Fictional Narrative Organizer to help them diagram their story. Students map their characters, plot, and setting, describe the story’s climax, and tell how the climax is resolved. Then students draft their Fictional Narrative, using their Graphic Organizer to organize their plot elements and ideas.

In this assignment, students plan and write a Personal Narrative. The narrative should be about a single important experience. Students use a Personal Narrative Planner to help them plan their narratives. Students describe their experience in detail, including a description of their thoughts and feelings. After completing their Planner, students draft their Personal Narrative, using a first-person voice and bringing their experience to life with vivid details and sensory language.

In this assignment, students plan and write a Short Story. The Short Story can be fictional or based on something that really happened. Students use a Short Story Map, a graphic organizer that will help them diagram their stories. Students map their characters, plot, and setting; describe the story’s climax; and tell how the climax is resolved. Then students draft their Short Stories, using their Story Maps to organize their plot elements and ideas.

In this assignment, students plan and draft a Memoir, a nonfiction personal account in which students describe a challenging personal event and how they overcame the challenge. Students use the Memoir Planner to plan their Memoir by establishing the situation with details about the characters, the setting, and the events that took place, Then students draft their Memoir, describing the experience, using sensory details and vivid language to describe the mood. In their conclusion, students reflect on the experience and leave readers with a final thought.