writing assessment prompts

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Released Writing Prompts for State Testing

Where do you find released writing prompts.

Are you looking for a fabulous collection of released writing prompts from state writing assessments? Would 114 PAGES of these released writing prompts be enough? If so, you have landed on the right page! Below you will find the finest collection of released writing prompts available. Nearly all the prompts are appropriate for elementary and middle school students, and there are quite a few designed specifically for high school students.

You May Also Enjoy Reading:

• Writing Prompt Structure and Keywords for State Writing Tests
• Elementary Writing Samples, Middle School Writing Examples, Sample Essays
• How to Prepare Students for State Writing Assessments

If you are looking to improve student writing FAST, be sure to check out the Pattern Based Writing: Quick and Easy Essay  homepage.

What Types or Kinds of Writing are Students Required to Write on State Writing Assessments?

The best model for classifying writing is the Four Modes of Discourse model: Narrative, Descriptive, Expository, and Argument . These Four Modes of Discourse are the Four Main Genres of Writing. However, on state writing tests you are likely to find a variety of different types of writing and writing prompts: persuasive, informative, imaginative, summarize, and response to literature writing prompts. Keep in mind that we can always classify all of these additional types of writing as one of the Four Main Genres (Four Modes of Discourse).

In the collections of released writing prompts below, you will find examples of all of these different types of writing prompts. ( Please Note : You will not find many examples of “summarize” and “respond to literature” prompts. These two types of prompts are built around and connected to a reading passage. As such, I have included a few examples of these types of prompts at the bottom of this page.)

What is the Value and Benefit of Released Writing Prompts?

The value and benefit of these released writing prompts can be far-reaching. Spending just a little time dissecting and analyzing these released writing prompts will have a very large payoff. The truth of writing assessments is that many students are off track before they even place their pencil on the paper. Many students completely miss the mark on what they are supposed to write. They write about what they thought they were supposed to write about, or they write about what they wish they had been asked to write about. It’s SO FRUSTRATING to see good writers miss the purpose and intent behind a writing prompt and get a poor score.

In other words, these released writing prompts from state writing assessments have more benefit than simply providing interesting topics to write about. (Once again, be sure to read “ Writing Prompt Structure and Keywords for State Writing Tests .” As well, check back for upcoming posts dealing with state writing assessments.)

IMPORTANT NOTE

I’ve updated these links several times; people seem to move these files around quite a bit. As such, I’ve included a couple of sample prompts from each collection so that you can do a Google search for the prompts in case the link becomes broken. Enjoy!

• FCAT Writing Prompts

Expository: Most teenagers have chores. Think about why it is important for teenagers to have chores. Now write to explain why it is important for teenagers to have chores.

Persuasive: The principal of your school does not agree with having students work in groups to do all their school work. Think about the reasons why students should work in groups to do all their school work. Now write to convince your principal whether students should work in groups to do all their school work.

• Pennsylvania Released Writing Prompts

6th Grade Narrative: Your teacher comes into the room and places a book on the desk. The book begins to move. Write about what adventure occurs when the book is opened and tell what you learn from this adventure.

6th Grade Persuasive: Many public places do not permit skateboarding/ bicycling/ rollerblading. Do you agree or disagree with this rule? Write to persuade community leaders to support your opinion.

9th Grade Informational: High school is the time when some students begin to look for part-time employment. What is a good part-time job for someone your age? Why would this job be appropriate for a teenager?

• Oregon Released Writing Prompts

Elementary (Grades 3-4-5)

Narrative: Tell a true story about a time you really appreciated getting help from someone. You may have been given advice, given help with a project, been loaned something you needed, or given some other kind of help you appreciated.

Expository: Many people have an activity or hobby they like. Choose one of your favorite activities and explain it to someone who doesn’t know much about it.

Imaginative: Sometimes when people look at clouds in the sky they think they can see the shapes of animals, people, objects or other figures. Make up a story about one of these shapes coming to life.

Middle School (Grades 6-7-8)

Narrative: Many people influence us. Sometimes they introduce us to a new interest or hobby, or sometimes they affect our views on things. Think of someone who has had a significant influence on you and tell a true story about it.

Expository: Research shows that people communicate messages about who they are by the clothing they wear. Explain how and in what ways you think clothing sends messages to other people.

Persuasive: Think of something you would like to have changed or added in your school. It could relate to a school policy, a facility or building, or course offerings. Take a position on one specific issue and convince others to agree with you.

COLLECTION 4: Here is a collection just for high school students. It’s from the Georgia High School Writing Test; it’s seven pages and contains 57 detailed writing prompts. The prompts all seem to be argument writing prompts. Long before the Common Core State Standards placed argument in an elevated category, Georgia took argument writing very seriously!

• Georgia High School Writing Prompts

Writing Situation: Many adolescents have difficulty making the move to high school. In response to this problem, the board of education has decided to require that all first year high school students attend an orientation workshop just before school begins. You have been selected to serve on the committee which will plan the orientation activities. Directions for Writing: Write a report to be presented to the workshop planning committee in which you make recommendations for the activities and information that should be part of the program to prepare students for high school. Support your recommendations.

Writing Situation: The business world has adopted the idea of cooperation and team work to increase productivity and solve problems. The belief is that teams can accomplish more than one person alone. Your English teacher has announced that your class might do major projects working in teams. If you had a choice, would you choose to work as a team or to work alone? Directions for Writing: Write a letter to your teacher convincing him or her that students should or should not work in teams. Include reasons and examples in support of your position.

COLLECTION 5:  These collections are all Word docs, so you will be prompted to save them. Please note that although they do not state that they are released writing prompts from state testing, they are.

Here is the main page, along with the four files you want to download. If this main page changes, you will still be able to find the prompts by Google searching these four terms. The doc files will almost certainly be in the number one position.

•  Main Page

• 60 Persuasive Prompts – Shiocton
• 40 Descriptive Prompts – Shiocton
• 75 Expository Prompts – Shiocton
• 45 Narrative Prompts – Shiocton

Persuasive: Some schools have graduation ceremonies in the fifth and eighth grade before students have completed their education. What do you think of this?  Should students have graduation ceremonies before they finish all of their education? Think of some reasons to support your opinion. Now, write an essay to convince the reader of your point of view.

Persuasive: Many people are convinced that violence on TV influences children and teens to be violent in real life. Do you think that this is true? Do you think that the violence on TV is responsible for increased violence among today’s youth? Take a stand on this issue, and write an essay to convince your reader of your position on whether TV causes violence in real life.

Descriptive: Every person has a favorite place to play. Think of your favorite place to play. It may be your backyard, or a playground, or a nearby woods, or an open field. What does this place look like? What are the sounds you hear there? What does it feel and smell like? Describe your favorite place to play so that your reader can see it without being there.

Descriptive: Every child enjoys playing on a playground. Think of the playgrounds you have played in. Think of what makes them better. Maybe you’ve already seen it, but think of what makes the perfect playground. Think of how it looks, sounds, feels, and smells. Now, describe your idea of a perfect playground so that your reader can see it clearly.

Expository: We all get angry at times, but different people react in different ways. Some people show their anger openly, and some hide it within themselves. Explain and describe what you do when you get mad and how it affects you.

Expository: Games are fun and often teach us something as well. Think about your favorite game. Write a paper telling about your favorite game. Explain to the reader your reasons for enjoying it.

Expository: Everyone has responsibilities. Write a paper explaining a responsibility you have now or will have in the future and why you shoulder that responsibility.

Imaginative Narrative: On your birthday, a strange-looking lady came to your door and handed you a wrapped present. You rattled it. It made a noise. Write a story about this present.

Personal Narrative: Your teacher one day announced that your class was going on a wonderful field trip. Write a story about this field trip. In your story, you can have your class go anywhere you wish.

Summarize and Respond to Literature Prompts

Once again, you will not find many, or possibly any, of these two types of writing prompts in the collections of writing prompts found above. State writing assessments seldom ask students to respond to literature or summarize a text. That being said, both responding to literature and summarizing texts are extremely important writing skills. Furthermore, district writing assessments often require students to address these two types of writing prompts, and district writing assessments are considerably more common than state writing assessments.

As such, here are a few examples illustrating what these writing prompts usually like look like on writing assessments. Remember, both of these types of writing prompts require that students read an article or passage. It’s interesting to note that the actual prompts are usually quite short and quite simple. Reason being, reading and analyzing the text is an added layer of complexity. For this reason, the prompts ALWAYS ask students just ONE THING. Take a look!

Respond to Literature Example Prompts

♦  Read the story. What message about life is the author trying to communicate to the reader? Be sure to use specific examples from the story to support your answer.

♦  Based on the story “Down and Out,” how can the reader tell that life during the Great Depression was a struggle? Use specific examples from the passage to support your answer.

♦  Do you think “Time for Tea and Crumpets” is a good title for this story? Why or why not? Be sure to use details from the story to support your answer.

Write a Summary Example Prompt

♦  Write a summary of the article. Be sure to:

• state the main idea or ideas of the article
• tell the important details that support the main idea
• use your own words when writing your summary .

Important Note: Good writing prompts are not a substitute for effective writing instruction, so here is a plan for writing success. First, download these writing prompts and then immediately check out Pattern Based Writing: Quick and Easy Essay . Every day more and more teachers are discovering how much quicker and how much easier teaching writing is once they understand Pattern Based Writing: Quick and Easy Essay ! It is the fastest, most effective way to teach students organized multi-paragraph writing… Guaranteed!

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50 Writing Prompts for All Grade Levels

Sometimes students need a little push to activate their imaginations.

The collection of prompts below asks young writers to think through real or imagined events, their emotions, and a few wacky scenarios. Try out the ones you think will resonate most with your students. 

As with all prompts, inform students that their answers should be rated G and that disclosing dangerous or illegal things they’re involved in will obligate you to file a report with the administration or school counselors. Finally, give students the option of writing “PERSONAL” above some entries that they don’t want anyone to read. We all need to let scraggly emotions run free in our prose sometimes.

If your class uses daybooks (an approach recommended in Thinking Out Loud: The Student Daybook as a Tool to Foster Learning ), wait for composition notebooks to go on sale at Target, the Dollar Store, or Walmart for $0.50 a piece. To organize the daybook, direct young writers to leave the first three pages blank and number and date each entry—adding these entries to a table of contents that they create as they work so they can return to specific entries later. 

High School Prompts

• Should cameras on drones watch all public spaces to prevent crime, or is that a violation of privacy? 
• Do Americans have it too easy? Why do you think that?
• What causes racism?
• The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation hires you as a consultant to determine how best to use $20 billion to save the world. What’s your plan?
• What’s the worst thing about the internet? 
• Would you rather be very beautiful or very smart? Explain.
• You can save one object before your house burns down. What is it? What makes that object important to you?
• How much control over your life do you have? What makes you say that? 
• Describe your ideal life 15 years from now. What is something you can do every day to reach that goal?
• What would your friends say is your most lovable quality? Describe that quality. 
• What is something scary that you would like to try? What makes it scary for you? How might you overcome that fear?
• What things do you conscientiously do to feed your brain?
• What are three of your most profound learning experiences? Where and when did they occur?
• By age 18, the average American has seen 200,000 acts of violence on TV, including 40,000 murders. What is it about television violence that is so compelling to people?
• Would you rather be loved or respected? Because?
• Does social media represent individuals authentically? Explain with examples. 
• Imagine that it’s the last day of high school and you’ve been asked by a teacher to say a few words that summarize the events that have occurred over the last four years that are most meaningful to you. What do you say? 

Middle School Prompts

• Which classmate would be the best to lead us through a zombie apocalypse? Why? 
• What real-life situations would work out better for you if you were a different gender? Why?
• How can you tell when someone your age is feeling insecure? Are most people more insecure or anxious than they let on?
• If the internet were to crash forever, what would the benefits be for you? The drawbacks?
• Write a scene that features a) a classmate, b) $100 million, and c) magical shoes. 
• What three features should your future house have? Why?
• If you starred in a television show about your life, what would the show be called? What genre would it be? (Examples: comedy, drama, thriller, romance, action-adventure, fantasy, superhero, soap opera, reality, game show, space adventure, Western, tragedy, etc.) Summarize the plot of an episode. 
• In the future, what extreme sports will people be talking about?
• Is your ethnicity an important part of your identity? How so? 
• You get to take one book, one food item, and one famous person (living or dead) to a deserted island. What and who do you take? Why?
• Write a powerfully supportive email to yourself 10 years from now. Send that email to yourself using FutureMe.org . 
• You have been selected to be king or queen of your school. What are five rules that every kid should follow at your school? What should the punishment be for rule breakers?
• What do the five friends you hang out with most have in common? How are you most like them? How are you different from them?
• What contributes to someone becoming a bully? What can help stop someone from bullying?
• Do you make friends slowly or quickly? Describe how one of your important friendships evolved.
• Should we fear failure? Explain.
• If a wizard could tell you anything about your future, what would you most like to know?
• Do you believe in luck? Are you superstitious? How so? If not, why do you think some people are?

Elementary School Prompts

• I wish my teachers knew that . . .
• What’s the most beautiful person, place, or thing you’ve ever seen? Share what makes that person, place, or thing so special. 
• Which is better, giant muscles or incredible speed? Why?
• What is your most difficult subject in school? Why is it difficult? What can you do to get better at that subject?
• Rewrite “Hansel and Gretel” from the witch’s perspective.
• Describe a scary situation that you’ve experienced.
• What is your first memory? Describe it.
• You wake up tomorrow with a silly superpower that makes you famous. What is that silly power? How does it lead to your becoming an international superstar? 
• Are you a good loser? Explain. 
• What are examples of things you want versus things you need? 
• Last Friday, you were given one wish by a magical panda. You tried so hard to make the wish positive, but after the whacked-out events that unfolded over the weekend, you regret ever meeting that tricky panda. What did you ask for, and what happened?
• I wish my friends . . . 
• Describe a routine that you often or always do (in the morning, when you get home, Friday nights, before a game, etc.).
• What things do all kids know that adults do not?
• What TV or movie characters do you wish were real? Why? 

After they’ve finished an entry, ask students to read their work aloud or exchange daybooks for a read-around. If you give the entries written feedback, show that their work is respected by using a sticky note or scratch paper. 

You might also incorporate background writing music one day a week—say on “Music Monday.” For some examples of music you might use in class, Pitchfork has an article called “ The 50 Best Ambient Albums of All Time .” My favorite album for composing is the Birdy soundtrack by Peter Gabriel—a good one for older kids. Other Edutopia staff and bloggers like writing to Coffitivity , Noisli , Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven by Godspeed You! Black Emperor, and Alcest’s Souvenirs d’un Autre Monde .

Don’t forget to write along with your students. Why should they have all the fun?

What are your students’ favorite writing prompts?

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Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning

Developing writing prompts.

A writing prompt introduces and focuses the writing topic. The purposes of a writing prompt are to encourage the student’s interest in a topic and encourage them to write about it in a thoughtful and creative way. While an effective prompt introduces and limits the writing topic, it should also provide clear instructions about the writing task.

An effective writing prompt includes two basic components;

• A situation: The situation presents the general topic students are to write about. It is intended to spark the students interest and be consistent with their experience; and
• Directions: The directions, describing the task students must complete, should be stated in a way that encourages students to share their knowledge and experience or inspires their thought and creativity.

When developing a writing prompt, the instructor should consider:

• Essay type : The type of essay can influence the type and content of the prompt. When writing a prompt, first determine which type of essay the students will be writing. Common essay types include: argument, descriptive, expository (also known as evaluative, reflective, or analytic), narrative, opinion, and persuasive.
• Prompt construction: One useful approach to prompt writing is to break it into three parts. The first part introduces the topic to the students; the second part encourages students to think about the topic, possibly with a pre-writing activity in which students brainstorm for ideas; the final part describes the writing task
• Brevity: Writing prompt should be short and focused to avoid confusing students, but the instructor must ensure they provide sufficient information in order for students to clearly understand the assigned writing task.
• Repetition: The parts of the prompt may be repetitive. Using parallel wording helps students remain focused on the specific writing task.
• Bias and sensitivity: Topics should be inclusive of and equitable to all of your students. Prompts should be written in a manner that all students will have knowledge and experience to understand them regardless of cultural and other factors. Prompts should avoid cultural, ethnic, gender, or other stereotyping.

Writing prompt construction:

• Part 1. Introduce the topic or writing situation with a statement or generalization to orient the student to the topic.
• Part 2. Encourage students to brainstorm and to make a personal connection with the topic. The instructor might include specific ideas promote ideas.
• Part 3. Describe the writing task, purpose, and audience. The instructor should provide sufficient information for the students to fully understand their task.

Before writing your prompt, be sure to determine the purpose of the assignment, how the assignment aligns with the learning objectives, and the criteria evaluate the writing, and, finally, which type of prompt will achieve those goals best. Writing prompts can be:

• Descriptive: Asks students to create or describe an image or experience;
• Narrative: Describes a real or fictitious scenario and invites students to tell a story about it;
• Expository: Asks students to provide information about a topic. or
• Persuasive:. Presents an opinion or viewpoint, requiring students to take a stance and defend it.

Descriptive Prompts

Descriptive prompts often contain cue terms, such as “describe in detail”, “describe how something looked/felt/smelled/tasted”, to help the reader to experience the same thing. This is in contrast to an expository prompt which would ask the student explain or tell “why”. Example descriptive prompt

Many people have a favorite childhood toy. Sometimes these favorite childhood toys are not even expensive but were giving to you by someone special or as a reward.. Think about your favorite toy. It could be a stuffed animal or doll. It could even be the toy you made out of an everyday object, such as a blanket. Think about this favorite childhood toy, memories created with this toy, what it looked like, how it felt to have it with you. Write an essay that will be posted in your e-portfolio in which you describe your favorite childhood toy. Make sure you provide enough details so your readers can see it and feel what it is like to be there.

Narrative Prompts

Narrative writing recounts a personal or fictional experience or tells a story based on real or imagined events. Narrative writing is often characterized by insight, creativity, drama, suspense, humor, and/or fantasy. Narrative prompts use cue terms such as “tell about…”, “tell what happened”, or “write a story.” Similar to descriptive prompts, narrative prompts should avoid asking the students to explain “why.”

Example Narrative Prompt

Vacations can create some wonderful and not-so-wonderful memories. Sometimes vacations turn out to be funny, strange, scary, or weird. Think about a vacation with your family or friends that either became a favorite memory because it was the best, strangest, funniest, or worst vacation. Think about what you did, what else was happening at the time, where you were, who was involved, and the time of day or year it happened.

Write a story about the best, strangest, funniest, or worst vacation. Make sure you include enough details so the instructor can understand and follow your story.

Expository Prompts

Expository writing informs, clarifies, explains, defines, and/or instructs. Problem and solution, cause and effect, and how-to essays are subtypes of expository writing. Expository writing is guided by a purpose and with a specific audience in mind, therefore the voice and essay organization must align with the subject and audience. Expository prompts use the cue words: why, how, what, and explain.

Example Expository Prompt

Some animals have evolved to live and thrive under extreme climate conditions or to eat a very specific diet. Think about an animal that has evolved to live under extreme climate conditions or to eat a very specific diet. Think about where this animal lives, what the climate conditions are like, the types of food it eats, and how it gets its food. Think about the possible advantage and disadvantages for the animal of living in this habitat or eating this diet. Write an essay for your e-portfolio that identifies the animal and its unique habitat or diet and explains (with specific details to support your explanation) why it is an advantage for the animal to have evolved this way.

Persuasive Prompts

Persuasive writing is intended to convince the reader that a point of view is valid or to take a specific action. Persuasive writing should address the strengths and weakness of both sides of an issue but ultimately support one perspective. Persuasive prompts use the cue words “convince”, “persuade”, and “why,” rather than using terms like “how.”

Example Persuasive Prompt

Some parents are concerned about administering vaccines to their infants and children because they believe vaccines can lead to autism. Your sister who is currently pregnant is considering not vaccinating her child. Think about whether you agree or disagree with her plan to not vaccinate her child. Think about the advantages and disadvantages of vaccinating a child and what the scientific literature says. Write a letter to your pregnant sister in which you state your opinion on the decision to not vaccinate. Include enough specific details to support your opinion and to convince your sister that your position on the issue is correct.

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60 Free Writing Prompts (and when to use them in your classroom)

Right now, some of my long-time followers are thinking that I have lost my mind. “Writing prompts? But, Jamie, you hate writing prompts!” It’s true. I have spent several years teaching about the reasons that I don’t use prompts in my writing workshop. I will keep spreading the word, but I also recognize that there is a time and a place for a writing prompt. And so I want to share 60 free writing prompts with you and help you to use them in your classroom!

But first…

Why I Usually Don’t Use Writing Prompts

I will keep this short, because I know that you came to grab the freebie. But I feel passionately about this and so I can’t give prompts without sharing why I’m not the biggest fan of them.

• When we tell students what to write about, we take away some of their excitement and engagement. It’s hard to learn to love writing if you don’t love the topic you are writing about.
• Students don’t put as much effort into a piece of writing if they are not engaged in the topic.
• Often, when we give a prompt, we spend more time teaching students how to be successful with that one exact piece of writing. They don’t know how to apply the lessons to other topics.
• Using prompts means that we don’t have to teach students to generate their own topics. This skill of being able to come up with their own ideas is one that they need in high school, college, and future jobs.
• Grading 25 papers about the exact same topic is pure torture for you.

So why are you giving us writing prompts?

Although I don’t use writing prompts on a daily basis, there are definitely times when a prompt is a great tool!

When to Use a Writing Prompt

Pre-assessments and post-assessments.

At the start and the end of each of my writing units, I have my students complete an on-demand writing assessment. The point of the assessment is to decide on needed lessons and support and then verify growth. It’s super helpful and keeps me from getting discouraged when student writing is not perfect. I give prompts because students have a limited amount of time to complete this writing sample. I don’t want them to spend half of their time trying to decide on a topic. (And during the pre-assessment they may not even understand the genre well enough to choose a topic.)

Substitute Plans

My writing units include lesson plans that are so simple that I have been able to leave them for substitutes. However, sometimes I REALLY want to be the one delivering the lesson. Or, it might be a tricky skill that I don’t think a substitute will be as equipped to cover. In times like this, a quick writing prompt is perfect! My students love to have a simple change of pace and it’s a piece of cake for a sub to teach and monitor. Prompts are always included in my emergency plans as well!

I am no Scrooge! I love holidays and I love to share the excitement with my students. Right before a holiday or a long break, I think it can be fun to do a themed prompt. I don’t spend TOO much time on these kinds of writing projects, but a day here or there can be so much fun!

Fast Finishers

We will always have students who complete an activity before the rest of the class. I keep fast finishers options SUPER simple. You can write, read, or practice math facts. Many of my students would choose writing and continue writing stories or reports with topics that they generated. But I always had a few that wanted to write, but didn’t want to work on their writing workshop masterpiece. They were looking for an easier prompt. I loved to have a basket or binder that they could grab one from quickly. It wasn’t something that I graded. It was more for fun and extra practice.

I always had something very simple for my students to work on when they came in the room and finished unpacking. This gave me some time to take attendance and read notes from parents. It was only a 10 minute time frame and so I think a quick prompt is a perfect activity to get students warmed up and ready for their lessons. Maybe once per week?

Grab 60 Free Writing Prompts

Gifting is my love language. I am always looking for ways to make a teacher’s life just a tad easier. I knew that I needed to create some prompts for you to use in your classroom!

I wrote 60 different prompts—five for each month. (Although many of the prompts can be used any month.) You will receive them in two formats: Google Slides and a printable PDF. This will make it even easier to use in your classroom! You can display them on your whiteboard, assign them in Google Classroom, or print and copy them. Easy!

Want more inspiration for teaching writing? Check out these tips to make writing fun .

Have a Not So Wimpy Day,

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Reader Interactions

December 14, 2020 at 12:46 pm

I am a substitute teacher. I would like to know which of your 60 writing prompts are your top 5 to leave for the substitue.

December 17, 2020 at 4:37 pm

Any of them could work well for a sub!

January 23, 2021 at 8:35 pm

Great resources! Epecially for new teachers!

March 5, 2022 at 3:15 pm

Great idea to help students to write!

March 7, 2022 at 11:33 pm

Thank you, Carol!

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20 Prompts for Narrative Writing That Spark Creativity

Using prompts for narrative writing motivates kids and gets them excited to write. Read on to learn more about narrative writing, mentor texts, ideas, and assessments. Plus you will find 20 fun prompts for narrative and personal narrative writing. These will be sure to spark student’s creativity and imagination!

What’s Narrative Writing?

Narrative writing tells a story using a beginning, middle, and end.  It includes elements such as characters, setting, problem, and solution.  The author’s purpose is usually to entertain or teach a lesson.  Narrative writing can be fact or fiction but the process is the same.  When it’s a real story from the author’s life, it is considered a personal narrative.  

Examples for Narrative Writing

There are so many wonderful examples of narrative writing.  Some are even written as personal narratives.  Below you will find a list of mentor texts for elementary school.  It’s helpful to immerse students in the genre before and during a narrative writing unit.  These books model different strategies that kids can try in their writing.

Narrative Writing Mentor Texts:

• Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
• Come on, Rain! by Karen Hesse
• Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts
• Fireflies! by Julie Brinckloe
• Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems
• Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall
• Enemy Pie by Derek Munson
• Blackout by John Rocco

Narrative Writing Teaching

There are many features to include in narrative writing, but it depends on the grade level being taught.  For the lower grades, it’s important to start with the concept of beginning, middle, and end written in sequential order.  Then you can expand to the introduction, body, and conclusion using details.  Other important elements are character, setting, problem, and solution.  As the student’s abilities increase the number of sentences will grow and expand to paragraphs.

For the older grades, you can introduce plot structure.  It follows the beginning, middle, and end format but on a higher level.  This story arc includes exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.  Use the diagram below to see how these features overlap.

Plot Structure

Topics for Narrative Writing

The possibilities are endless when it comes to narrative writing ideas.  Kids can create a fiction piece or write about an experience in their life.  Check out some writing prompt ideas below for narrative and personal narrative writing. You might also like this blog post about opinion writing prompts: 20 Prompts for Opinion Writing That Motivate Kids

Writing Prompts for Narratives

• I was taking my friend’s picture in front of the volcano when all of a sudden . . .  
• What if you were given 3 wishes but couldn’t use them on yourself.  Tell a story about what you would wish for and why.
• Write a story called, “The Luckiest Day of My Life.”
• Imagine you went to the zoo and could take home any animal for the day.  Tell a story about your time together.
• Write a silly story that uses these words: airplane, grapes, elephant, and book.
• You have just been shrunk down to the size of an ant.  Write a story including the good and bad things about being so small.
• Think about your favorite character from a book.  Tell a story about getting to meet them for the first time.
• What would happen if you lived during a time when there was no electricity?  Write a story about your school day.
• Finish this story: The pirates set sail on their ship in search of . . .
• Suppose you were teacher for a day.  Write a story about the changes you would make.

Writing Prompts for Personal Narratives

• Have you ever been so proud of yourself for learning something new?  Write a story about a time this happened.
• Write a story about a time you felt your heart race.  What happened and how were you feeling at the end?
• What was your most memorable vacation?  Tell a story from part of that trip and why it stands out in your mind.
• Have you ever done something you knew would get you in big trouble?  Write a story about a time this happened and how you felt about it.
• Write a story about the strangest thing that has ever happened to you.  Why was it so unusual?
• What was your most memorable moment from this year?  Write a story telling why it’s so special.
• Tell a story about a time when you were so excited and couldn’t wait for an event to happen.
• Write a small moment story about a time you had with your favorite person.
• Write about a time that you lost something important.  Tell whether or not you found it.
• Think about the worst day you ever had.  What made it so terrible and did it get better by the end?

Rubrics for Narrative Writing

I often hear from teachers that one of the most difficult parts of teaching writing is how to assess it.  Assessments should be accurate and helpful for both the student and teacher.  When it comes to narrative writing, there are many different approaches.  Some teachers prefer to do a more informal assessment for daily writing pieces and then a formal assessment for the final copy.  Informal assessments can be completed with written comments or student-teacher conferences.

It would be very difficult to use a rubric for every narrative writing a student completes in their notebook.  Instead, most teachers prefer to choose one to three writing pieces to assess with a rubric.  These assessments are ideal for benchmarks, progress reports, and report cards.  Below you will find three types of narrative writing rubrics.  Check out this blog post to learn more about student-friendly, teacher-friendly, and time-saving rubrics: 3 Types of Writing Rubrics for Effective Assessments

Narrative writing enables kids to be creative and use their imagination. They can write a fiction story or about a real event from their life. Writing prompts are a helpful tool to get kids engaged and ready to get started. Did you grab your Free Writing Prompt Guide yet? I love using prompts for morning work, writing time, centers, or as a homework assignment. The possibilities are endless! Be sure to try these prompts for narrative writing with your students!

Genre Based Prompts

Related Articles:

• 20 Prompts for Opinion Writing That Motivate Kids
• What is Narrative Writing
• A Complete Guide to Narrative Writing
• Personal Narrative Writing for Elementary School
• Narrative Writing: How to Teach a Story Arc That’s as Exciting as a Roller Coaster

Angela Sutton

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State Test Writing Prompts: Prepare for Standardized Assessments

My name is Debbie, and I am passionate about developing a love for the written word and planting a seed that will grow into a powerful voice that can inspire many.

Understanding​ the‍ Purpose of State Test Writing Prompts

Breaking down⁤ the essential elements of writing test prompts, developing effective writing strategies for standardized assessments, structuring your​ response: organizing ideas and presenting evidence, enhancing your writing style ⁣to impress the assessors, enhancing⁢ your writing⁤ style: impress the assessors, avoiding common mistakes on state test writing prompts, practical tips for time⁣ management during‍ writing assessments, utilizing practice materials to sharpen your test writing skills, frequently asked questions, key takeaways.

State ⁣test writing prompts ⁢often seem daunting, but understanding the purpose behind them‌ can greatly ⁣improve your performance. These prompts are carefully crafted to assess your writing skills and ability to express‌ ideas effectively within⁢ a given time frame. By‍ deciphering their purpose,⁣ you can‌ approach these prompts with confidence and clarity.

1.​ Evaluating writing skills: State ⁣test⁤ writing prompts are designed to evaluate your competency ‌in various ⁣writing areas, such as grammar, coherence, and organization.‍ They⁣ assess your ability to construct a well-structured and articulate piece of writing within the​ given prompt. Understand that these prompts require not only good content but also impeccable execution.

2. Testing critical ⁣thinking: Beyond evaluating‌ your writing abilities, state test writing prompts aim to assess your critical thinking skills. They prompt you to analyze a given situation, ⁣formulate opinions, and present arguments to support your views. By deciphering the underlying purpose, you‌ can anticipate the type of critical ⁣thinking prompts you might encounter and prepare accordingly.

Analyzing Key Components⁣ in Writing Test Prompts

When it comes to writing test prompts, there are several important components that cannot be overlooked. These elements play a crucial ⁣role in shaping the prompt and determining how students approach their‌ responses. By carefully analyzing ‍each key component, educators can ensure that the prompts they create are effective and capable of assessing students’ writing abilities accurately.

• Purpose: The purpose of a⁤ writing test prompt is to elicit‍ a​ specific⁢ type of‌ writing from students. It may⁣ aim to persuade, inform, describe, or ​narrate. Determining the purpose ⁣is essential as it sets the tone and expectations for the student’s response.
• Genre: Writing⁣ test prompts can vary depending on‍ the genre ⁣they focus on. ⁤Whether it is‌ an argumentative essay, a personal narrative, or a research ‍paper, ​the prompt must clearly indicate the genre to guide students in their writing approach.
• Prompt Structure: A well-structured prompt should include clear instructions,‍ any necessary background information, and a clearly stated ⁣writing task. Breaking down the structure ensures that students understand what they are required to do and what is expected of them.
• Topic and Scope: The topic of the⁢ writing prompt provides students ⁣with a specific subject or area of focus for their response. Additionally, the scope of the prompt outlines⁢ the boundaries, specifying the extent of ‍information or ideas that should be covered in their writing.
• Audience: ​ Understanding the intended audience is crucial in ⁣guiding students’ writing style and language​ choices. The prompt should clearly​ define whether the response is aimed at a general audience, a specific group, or even ⁤oneself.
• Time Limit: Writing test prompts often come with time constraints. ⁤Providing students with‍ a specific time​ frame allows them to manage their writing process efficiently and also prepares‍ them for real-life writing ⁢scenarios.

By analyzing these key components ⁢in writing test⁤ prompts, educators can create well-crafted⁤ prompts that assess students’ writing skills effectively. Ensuring that these components are ⁤clearly defined and coherent helps students understand the task at hand and ⁣allows for fair and ‌accurate ⁣assessment of their abilities.

When it comes to‍ standardized assessments, having effective writing strategies can make all​ the difference in your success. These assessments require you to not only showcase your knowledge ​and understanding of the subject matter but also to​ do so in a clear, concise, and well-structured manner. Here are some tips to help you develop effective writing strategies for ⁣standardized assessments:

• Understand the prompt: Before you begin writing, ‌carefully read and analyze the ‍prompt. Identify the key points and the specific requirements of ⁢the task to ensure you address them appropriately.
• Plan and⁣ organize: Take the time to plan your response before diving into writing. Outline ​your main ideas,​ supporting details, and the overall ⁢structure of your essay. This will help ⁣you maintain a logical flow and prevent you from getting off-track.
• Use evidence and examples: To strengthen your ​arguments, incorporate relevant evidence and examples to support ⁢your claims. This not only ⁢demonstrates your understanding‍ but also adds credibility to your writing.

Additionally,⁣ use ⁢transitional words and phrases to smoothly transition between ideas‍ and paragraphs. This will ⁤help your writing flow and show a high level of‌ coherence. Proofread your work carefully for grammar and⁣ spelling errors before submitting your essay.‌ Finally, manage your time effectively during ⁤the assessment to ensure you have enough time to plan, write, and revise your ⁤response.

When it comes to crafting a compelling response, the way you structure⁤ your ideas and present evidence plays a crucial role⁢ in conveying your message effectively. Here are some ‌key points to keep in mind to ‌ensure your response is well-organized and persuasively presented:

• Outline your main points: Before diving ‍into writing your response, take a few moments to‍ brainstorm and outline the main points you want to address. This will help you provide a clear and logical flow of ideas throughout your writing.
• Use paragraphs: Break down your response into paragraphs to make it easier for your audience to read⁣ and ⁤comprehend. Each paragraph should focus ⁢on one main idea or argument, supported by⁤ relevant evidence.
• Present evidence effectively: To strengthen your arguments, incorporate supporting evidence such as facts, statistics, or examples. Be sure to⁤ clearly cite your sources, as this ⁢adds credibility to your response.

Furthermore, consider using​ transitional phrases to connect your ideas, making your response coherent and easy to follow. Phrases like “in addition,”‍ “however,” ‍and “on the other hand” ‌help signal shifts ​in thought and‍ guide your reader through‌ your response smoothly. Additionally, bold important keywords or phrases to make them stand out and reinforce the significance of your ‍ideas.

Remember, a‌ well-structured​ response not ⁤only showcases your ⁣organization skills but also allows⁣ your audience to⁣ grasp your arguments easily. So take the time to ‍structure your response thoughtfully, present your evidence persuasively, and watch your ideas come to⁣ life!

When it comes to written communication, the first impression is crucial. Whether you are⁣ writing ⁢an essay, a report, or ‍an important email, refining your writing style is an effective way to make ‍a⁢ lasting​ impact on assessors. Here ⁢are⁤ some valuable tips to ​help ‌you⁣ enhance your writing style ‍and leave the assessors truly impressed:

• Develop a unique voice: ‍ Your writing⁢ should reflect your personality ⁣and individuality. Take the time to find your own voice and writing style. Experiment with different ⁤tones and ‌sentence structures to create an engaging and authentic piece of writing.
• Master grammar‍ and punctuation: Nothing undermines the credibility of your writing like grammar and punctuation errors. Ensure you ‍have‌ a solid grasp on the basics of ⁤punctuation,‍ verb tenses, and sentence structure. Proofread your work multiple times to eliminate any mistakes ⁣and use⁤ tools like spell checkers for additional support.
• Find the balance between simplicity and complexity: While it’s important to convey your ⁣ideas clearly, a touch of complexity can elevate your writing. Use a varied vocabulary, sentence length, and structure to maintain the reader’s interest. However, be cautious not to overwhelm them with ‍excessive jargon⁣ or convoluted sentences.
• Engage the senses: To⁣ captivate ⁣assessors, tap into their imagination‍ by including vivid descriptions that activate the senses. Paint a picture with words to evoke emotions ⁤and create a lasting impression.
• Revise and edit: Never‍ underestimate the ‌power of revision and editing. After writing your initial draft, take a⁣ step back and revisit your work ‍with fresh eyes.⁣ Look for areas to improve, eliminate repetitive words or phrases, and ensure your ideas flow logically. This iterative process will refine your writing to its best version.
• Read extensively: The more you read,​ the more exposure you gain ⁣to different writing styles. Explore a variety of genres, authors,​ and subjects to ⁢expand your vocabulary and inspirations. This continuous learning journey will ‍help you refine your own writing style over time.

By following ⁤these tips, you⁤ can impress assessors with your ‍writing style and create ⁤impactful ‌written content. Remember, practice makes perfect,‌ so don’t⁢ be ⁢afraid to experiment and iterate until you ‌find a style that resonates with both you and assessors.

When facing a⁤ state test writing prompt,⁤ it is crucial to be well-prepared and confident in your ability to ace​ it. To ensure success, it’s important to avoid some ⁤common mistakes that many students make. By keeping these tips in mind, you can improve your writing skills and boost your chances of achieving a high score.

1. Ignoring the prompt

One of the biggest mistakes students often make is‍ neglecting to ​fully address the prompt. Take the time‍ to carefully read and understand what is ⁣being asked of you. Make sure your response directly applies to the prompt, ⁢addressing‌ all the key points. By staying ⁢focused, you can⁣ avoid veering off-topic and stay on track to a well-crafted essay.

2. Lack of organization

A common pitfall in writing⁣ is the lack of organization. Ensure that your ⁤ideas flow logically and coherently by creating an outline⁤ before you begin. Start with a strong introduction that⁤ clearly states ‍your thesis. Then, develop your arguments in a coherent manner, providing evidence and examples to‌ support your claims.⁣ Finally, wrap up your essay with a solid conclusion that summarizes your main points ‌and reiterates your thesis. By structuring ‌your⁣ essay in this way, you’ll demonstrate your⁣ ability to communicate effectively.

Effective time management is crucial when it comes ⁤to ⁢writing ‌assessments. Here are some practical tips to help you make the most of your ​time⁤ and ace your⁢ writing tasks:

• Plan ⁣your time: Before you start writing, allocate specific time frames ⁤for planning, drafting, ​revising, and proofreading. This will help you stay ‍focused and prevent procrastination.
• Read the prompt carefully: Take the time to thoroughly understand the writing prompt. Identify key ⁤requirements ‌and brainstorm ‍ideas to develop a clear and coherent response.
• Create an ⁣outline: Outlining your thoughts before diving⁢ into the actual writing can save you valuable⁢ time. It provides a⁣ roadmap for your essay and helps organize your ideas.
• Manage your word count: Keep track of the word limit and ensure‍ your writing stays within ‍the specified range. Avoid going off-topic or⁤ including⁤ unnecessary information ⁤that consumes your precious time.

Break it down: Don’t overwhelm yourself by attempting⁢ to write the whole‍ essay in one go. Break it​ down into manageable parts, such as paragraphs or sections. Focus on‌ one part at a time, concentrating fully on its quality and coherence.

Review and revise: Allocate sufficient time at the end to‍ review your essay. Read through it carefully, checking for grammar, punctuation, and ⁢spelling ⁤errors. ⁣Make necessary revisions to enhance⁤ clarity and coherence.

Welcome to the world of test writing skills! ‌Writing a test can be a challenging task, but ⁣with the right practice materials, you can sharpen your skills and ace any exam. ‍Here are some creative ways⁣ to utilize practice materials to‍ enhance your test writing‌ abilities.

1. Familiarize yourself with different question types: Practice materials often​ provide⁤ a variety of⁣ question types, ⁤such as multiple choice, essay, or short answer. By working with these diverse formats, you‌ can become comfortable and proficient in tackling⁢ any kind of question⁢ that may appear on the test.

2. Improve your time management: Time is crucial⁢ during​ exams, so it’s⁢ important to practice working within ⁢time constraints. Utilize timed practice tests and exercises to simulate real‍ exam conditions. This will not only improve your ⁣ability to manage your time⁤ effectively but also train your mind to think quickly and efficiently.

Q: What are state test writing prompts? A: State test writing prompts refer to the essay questions or writing tasks given to students during standardized assessments. These‍ prompts are designed to evaluate their writing skills and abilities.

Q: ⁣Why is it important to prepare for standardized ‌assessments? A: Preparing for standardized assessments is crucial because they play a significant role in evaluating a student’s academic⁢ progress and determining their ‌readiness⁣ for the next level of ⁢education. Additionally, these ⁣tests often hold weight in college admissions and scholarship opportunities.

Q:‌ How can students effectively prepare for state test writing ‍prompts? A: Students can prepare for state test writing ‌prompts by practicing various ⁣ writing prompts regularly . They should focus on developing strong thesis ⁢statements , structuring their essays well, and using ⁢appropriate grammar and vocabulary.​ Additionally, time management skills are vital to ensure completing the essay within the allocated time.

Q: Are there any ⁢strategies ​for brainstorming ideas before writing an essay for state ⁤tests? A: Absolutely! Before writing, it is helpful ​to spend a few minutes brainstorming ideas⁤ related to the given prompt. This allows students⁣ to gather ⁤and organize their thoughts, ensuring ​a better flow in their essays. Techniques such as mind mapping, making ⁢bullet points, or listing down key points can aid in structuring their ideas effectively.

Q: How should students structure​ their essays for state‌ test writing prompts? A: ⁢To structure their essays for ⁢state test writing prompts, students should follow a clear⁣ introduction, body, and conclusion format. ​The introduction should provide background information and clearly state the thesis statement. The ‌body paragraphs should present well-supported arguments or evidence, and finally, the conclusion should summarize the⁤ main points and provide a closing remark.

Q: ⁢Are there any specific writing techniques students should utilize in their essays? A: Yes, students should aim to incorporate a variety of​ writing techniques to enhance the quality of their essays. These may include the‌ use of persuasive ​language, literary devices like metaphors or similes, strong examples or anecdotes, and cohesive transitions between different paragraphs or ⁢ideas.

Q: How can students manage their time‌ effectively during the test? A: Time management during a state test is crucial. Students should allocate a specific amount of time for planning,‌ writing, ‍and revising their essays. It’s recommended to spend a‍ few minutes brainstorming ‍and ⁣outlining⁢ before diving into writing. ⁤Keeping an eye on the clock ⁢throughout the test ⁢helps students stay on track and ⁤ensures they have adequate time⁤ for‌ revisions, proofreading, and making any necessary improvements.

Q: Are there any⁣ additional resources or practice​ materials available for students to prepare for state test writing‍ prompts? A: Yes, various resources can assist students in preparing for⁣ state test‌ writing ⁢prompts. Practice books, online resources, and official ​test prep websites offer sample prompts and essay topics​ to practice with. Additionally, seeking guidance⁣ from teachers or participating in writing workshops can further‌ enhance​ students’ writing skills and boost their confidence ​in⁣ tackling state test prompts.

Preparing for ‌standardized assessments can be daunting, but practicing ‌with state test ‌writing prompts can help students excel and feel confident.

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Writing Assessment

For grades 3-12.

Better known as WrAP, the Writing Assessment Program measures student writing achievement to help classroom teachers pinpoint their students’ writing strengths and weaknesses. WrAP is complemented with WRIIT , a companion library of instructional tools and resources. Together, WrAP and WRIIT offer ERB Members a comprehensive, one-of-a-kind writing program!

Developing outstanding student writers.

Fits any curriculum.

WrAP can be easily incorporated into any classroom and focused on your student's unique writing goals.

Flexible Administration Options

Administer WrAP when it’s best for your students. This flexibility makes WrAP ideal for trimester, semester, or year-round courses.

Paper Testing Modality

WrAP can be administered as a paper test only.

Scoring Cutoff Dates

Wrap operations must receive all tests by october 13, 2023., winter 2024, wrap operations must receive all tests by march 1, 2024., spring 2024, wrap operations must receive all tests by may 3, 2024., what else can wrap do for you, benchmark student writing.

Assessment results lose value when they're not in context. That's why we provide a range of available norm groups against which you can compare your students' writing.

Write with Increased Confidence

WrAP responses are reviewed by expert readers using standardized rubrics to deliver reliable and consistent scores. With WrAP, you can always be confident in your students' results.

Helpful, Actionable Reporting

Classrooms administering WrAP receive Individual Student Reports containing criterion-referenced data with links to annotated writing samples. We won't just show you how your students scored; we'll show you why  so you can help your students continue to improve.

Grade Levels

Developed in collaboration with our member schools and writing experts, WrAP is administered across five grade-level bands, with higher performance expectations at each level.

Elementary (Grades 3-4)

Intermediate (grades 5-6), middle (grades 7-8), secondary (grades 9-10), college preparatory (grades 11-12), prompt types.

With a wide variety of writing prompts available, educators can select the options that are right for your students. For both types of prompt, students can revise their first drafts before submitting a final version for scoring.

Stimulus-Based Prompts

Stimulus-based prompts align to the most current standards and are used to develop students’ critical analysis and writing skills., these prompts require students to read, analyze, and reference related passages to inform their writing. stimulus-based prompts underscore the close relationship between reading and writing., with non-stimulus prompts, students' writing is based on their understanding of the prompt topic as well as their own experiences., interested in sample writing prompts, check out the wriit library now.

WRIIT is a companion library of writing instructional tools and resources. Together, WrAP and WRIIT offer ERB members a truly comprehensive, one-of-a-kind writing program!

Do your students need additional writing practice?

The goal of assessing student writing is to identify strengths alongside areas for improvement. whether students need a little bit more writing support or are advanced and could use a challenge, we are pleased to offer our  writing practice program (wpp) ., available online for students in grades 3-12, wpp provides individualized tools and lessons to help students improve their writing from anywhere—in class or at home. with a vast library of writing prompts, real-time feedback, and customizable sequencing, wpp can help every student become a better writer., want more information about wrap, (646) 503-2698, monday - friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm est or contact your erb member services director, [email protected], are you an erb member.

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Answering Prompts on Writing Tests

Many high-stakes writing assessments, including those that test the Common Core, require students to respond to a prompt. A prompt is a compact set of writing instructions that students must follow within a set amount of time (often between 30 and 90 minutes). Answering the prompt is critical. A student could write a brilliant essay but get a low score if the essay does not target the key features of the prompt. As a result, students need a quick and accurate strategy for analyzing prompts.

How can students analyze writing prompts?

The PAST questions help students rapidly analyze the four important pieces of information conveyed by most writing prompts. PAST stands for the following:

• P urpose: Why am I writing? ( To explain? To persuade? To narrate? To evaluate? )
• A udience: Who are my readers? ( Test graders? Other students? The principal? Community members? )
• S ubject: What am I writing about? ( An experience? A person? An opinion? A reading? )
• T ype: What form should my writing take? ( Essay? Letter? Story? Editorial? )

Here is a typical writing prompt and an analysis using the PAST questions:

From early childhood, we all have a sense of justice: "That's not fair!" we would proclaim. But what is "fair"? Think about what you mean when you say something is "fair" or "not fair." Write an essay that defines one or both of the terms, giving examples, anecdotes, and other supporting details. Help other students understand what is "fair" and "not fair."

PAST Analysis

• P urpose: Why am I writing?

            To define terms

• A udience: Who are my readers?

            Other students

• S ubject: What am I writing about?

            The terms "fair" and "not fair"

• T ype: What form should my writing take?

            A definition essay

Note that some prompts may not indicate a specific audience. In such cases, students can assume the audience for the writing to be the grader of the test.

You can use this free online minilesson to give your students practice using the PAST strategy.

How can students organize their writing?

After students have done a PAST analysis, they should jot down a quick list containing a one-sentence focus for their response and several supporting points:

            The word "fair" means getting what you deserve.

            —Hard work deserves reward.

            —Dishonesty deserves punishment.

            —The "Golden Rule"

            —The time I turned in someone's wallet with $100 in it

How should students manage their time?

Students should complete their PAST analysis and quick list in the first 5 minutes or so of the writing assessment. Then they should spend the bulk of their time writing their responses. Near the end, they should spend 5–10 minutes revising and editing the response, making sure it is on target with the PAST analysis. In this way, on-demand writing uses a modified version of the writing process, with a brief period of prewriting, a long period of writing, and a brief period of revising and editing.

Where can I find more support for high-stakes writing assessment?

The Write Ahead student handbook includes sample prompts, PAST analyses, planning quick lists, model responses, and guidelines for the major modes of writing. Check out these free resources available in the Write Ahead Teacher's Guide :

• Narrative Prompts and Responses
• Explanatory Prompts and Responses
• Persuasive (Argumentative) Prompts and Responses
• Literary (Fiction) Prompts and Responses

Writing Assessment

Main navigation.

Effective writing pedagogy depends on assessment practices that set students up for success and are fair and consistent.

Ed White and Stanford Lecturer Cassie A. Wright have argued influentially that good assessment thus begins with assignment design, including a clear statement of learning objectives and comments on drafts (“response”); thus:

ASSESSMENT DESIGN + RESPONSE + EVALUATION = ASSESSMENT (White 1984; White and Wright 2015)

Assessment theory further supports the idea that good writing assessment is:

Local , responding directly to student writing itself and a specific, individual assignment

Rhetorically based , responding to the relationship between what a student writes, how they write and who they are writing for

Accessible , legibly written in language that a student can understand, and available in a time frame that allows them to take feedback into consideration for subsequent writing assignments

Theoretically consistent  such that assignment expectations, teaching, and feedback are all aligned

(O’Neill, Moore, and Huot 57)

For these reasons, we must think about assessment holistically, in terms of  how we articulate our evaluation criteria ,  give feedback to students,  and  invite them to respond to others’  and  their own writing .

Works Cited

O’Neill, Peggy, Cindy Moore, and Brian Huot. A Guide to College Writing Assessment. Logan: Utah State UP, 2009. Print.

White, Edward M. Teaching and Assessing Writing. Proquest Info and Learning, 1985. Print.

White, Edward M., and Cassie A. Wright. Assigning, Responding, Evaluating: A Writing Teacher’s Guide. 5th ed. Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2015. Print.

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75 Creative Fifth Grade Writing Prompts (Free Slides!)

Get them excited to write every day!

Fifth grade is such an exciting time! For many kids, it’s the last year of elementary school, and so many exciting things lie ahead. Fifth graders have accumulated some interesting stories to tell by now, and they’re building stronger writing skills. These fifth grade writing prompts encourage kids to imagine, explain, persuade, and reveal—improving their writing abilities day by day.

If you’d like even more upper elementary writing prompts, check out the Would You Rather questions we post regularly on the Daily Classroom Hub . Kids will get a kick out of these, for writing or discussion!

(Want this entire set of fifth grade writing prompts in one easy document? Get your free PDF or Google Slide bundle by submitting your email here .)

1. How important is it to finish what you start?

2. What does it mean to be honest? Give one solid example of what honesty looks like.

3. What three qualities do you think are most important in a friend? Why?

4. Since fifth grade is the top grade in elementary school, should fifth graders get special privileges? If so, write in detail about one privilege you think they should get. If not, why not?

5. Vincent van Gogh said, “If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.” Describe one of your favorite places in nature in detail.

6. Are fifth graders old enough to babysit little kids? Why or why not?

7. Write about three qualities that make a good leader.

8. Should teachers assign homework? Why or why not?

Get My Fifth Grade Writing Prompts!

What are your favorite fifth grade writing prompts? Come share your ideas on the WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook !

Plus, check out 50 fifth grade math word problems of the day ., you might also like.

My Teacher Happiness Soared After This District-Wide Schedule Change

At first I was skeptical, but the payoff was huge. Continue Reading

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EXPLORE AI WITH MINECRAFT

Resources to help any educator teach and learn with ai.

BUILD AI LITERACY WITH IMMERSIVE LESSONS

Explore the principles of responsible AI and discover ways that AI can help us solve problems with a set of Minecraft coding lessons. Demystify this emerging topic and spark classroom engagement.

Hour of code: Generation AI

Venture through time to create helpful AI.

AI for Earth

Advance Computer Science learning into the world of Artificial Intelligence.

Hour of Code: AI for Good

Use AI to protect nature in this coding tutorial.

MINECRAFT PROMPT LAB FOR EDUCATORS

Learn how to use Copilot with sample prompts to create engaging game-based learning lessons and assessment materials. See how AI can make life easier for any Minecraft educator!

Writing a good educational prompt​

Explore the basics of writing a good educational prompt and create amazing learning experiences for Minecraft Education. It’s easy, empowering and engaging!​

Create a minecraft lesson plan

Learn how to use Copilot to create a classroom-ready STEM lesson plan and assessment personalized to your class group needs, curriculum standards, and educational goals.​

SEE PROMPT LAB IN ACTION

Introduce responsible ai and coding.

In a fun, classroom-ready Minecraft lesson, discover the principles of responsible AI and learn basic coding skills. Check out Minecraft Hour of Code: Generation AI, available as a free demo for anyone to try!

EXPLORE RESPONSIBLE AI WITH MINECRAFT EDUCATION

Demystify AI, cybersecurity, and online safety with your students through game-based learning. Spark classroom engagement and build digital citizenship skills.

Microsoft AI toolkit

Download a free toolkit to help plan your AI journey with Microsoft tools.

Cyber & Digital safety

Empower students with new cybersecurity lessons from Minecraft Education.

AI for Education

Explore resources and courses on how to use AI in education with Microsoft.

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