Ms. Casassa 6-8 Language Arts: January 2013

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Persuasive Letters- Student Models

Congratulations! You have completed your research on your topic and gathered actual data from your surveys. Furthermore, you have identified three claims and have evidence to back them up. What's next? It's time to write your letter. So...who are you writing to? Who is your audience? remember, you are actually going to send these letters and hopefully persuade the recipient to change their views on your topic. Who knows, you might be chewing gum in class soon! Or playing dodge ball in gym class this spring. Below you can read three student examples of persuasive letters. You can also view the PowerPoint on how to write a powerful lead.

Click here to view the Powerpoint on writing a strong lead

Click on the title to read the Persuasive Letter- Student Models

Monday, January 14, 2013

Researching your Writing Topic

You will begin researching your topic in writing. Initially, I just want you to read and get familiar with the topic. Don't take notes yet, just "bookmark" good sites.

1. I have created a Google document that you can use to keep track of your websites. You can "bookmark" these sites by copying and pasting the URL address into the document. Include a title and brief note about the site so you will remember why you saved it later on. When you open up the Research Chart, go to file and click create a copy. Rename it "Your Name" Research Resource Chart. Take notes on that chart!
Click here to open up the Research Resource Chart

2. Two resources need to come from EBSCOhost- our online library database. Create an account and save the two articles into a folder on EBSCOhost. You create an account after you log in to our Barnard School EBSCOhost account. 7th graders, ask an 8th grader for help with this!
Click here to go to EBSCOhost. (username: Barnard password: 03827)

3. 7th graders: Persuasive Letter- You need 3 strong claims in favor of your position and 3 pieces of evidence for each claim. Each claim needs to be strong enough to write an entire paragraph--with facts--on it. As you read today be sure that you have a strong enough topic to fufill this requirement.

8th graders- Biographical Sketch- You need to find 3 interesting and/or unusual or unique things about your author. Each of these facts will need to fill an entire paragraph--7 strong sentences. If you. IF YOU CAN'T FIND THREE GOOD FACTS, FIND ANOTHER AUTHOR!