Middle School Writing-Essays Handouts

Engage your students in a creative writing activity that combines imagination, persuasion, and argumentation. This resource provides students with a compelling prompt to write a persuasive letter to their parents, arguing why their witch should remain a permanent member of the family!

What's Included?

• Customize the witch's face to match their imagination.
• Start with opinion and reasons.
• Continue to write the essay.

Don't forget to share with me how it went with your little ones. I hope it was useful in your classroom.

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Should students be required to learn how to write in cursive? This is an argumentative essay prompt, three articles, and outline sheet. Your kids will all have their own opinions about whether or not schools should require students to learn how to write in cursive. This comes complete with rubric.

CLICK HERE for Google Drive

Looking for more argumentative prompts with articles?

Minimum Wage - Argumentative prompt, articles, and outline sheet

Facebook: Argumentative prompt, articles, and outline sheet

Did Shakespeare write his own stuff?:Argumentative prompt, articles, and rubric.

Should Schools Ban Soda? - Argumentative prompt, articles, and outline sheet

Looking for a final writing assignment on Shakespeare's Julius Caesar? This resource features everything you'll need to lead students through the process of writing an analytical essay about Julius Caesar.

The resource features 5 writing prompts which will motivate students to think with nuance about important themes in the play. The resource also includes scaffolding to help students select evidence, generate an outline, and begin writing. For teachers, the resource features an assessment rubric which can be used to grade and provide feedback on students' analytical writing.

As a bonus, this resource also features a two-page handout on how to embed quotations within an analytical essay. The handout provides students with three techniques for framing textual evidence: the block quotation, the clause-and-colon method, and the integration of short quotations into one's own sentence.

Here's what you'll find in this editable 10-page resource:

• Analytical Writing Assignment: Challenge students to take their interpretations one step further by writing an analytical paper on Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. Let students choose from one of 5 thought-provoking sample topics — or invite them to develop a topic of their own. Writing schedule, outline template, and rubric included. (4 pages)
• Framing Quotations: This handout provides students with advice about how to embed textual evidence into a body paragraph. The handout familiarizes students with three different methods for framing quotations: the block quotation, the clause-and-colon method, and the integration of key words and phrases within one's own sentence. (2 pages)
• Outline Template: Provide students with the scaffolding necessary to write a five-paragraph essay. This outline template challenges students to fill in a text box for every part of their essay: hook, thesis, topic sentences, evidence, analysis, and conclusion. (3 pages)
• Assessment Rubric: Evaluate student essays in a quick and efficient manner by using an analytical writing rubric. (1 page)

The entire unit will come to you in two separate formats: Word Docs *and* PDFs. Because the Word docs are fully editable, you'll be able to customize them to match the skill levels of your students year after year. If you don't have Microsoft Word, you'll still be able to access PDF versions which are easy to navigate and quick to print.

Rigorous Resources is your one-stop shop for top-quality resources on William Shakespeare. Wishing you an amazing experience with teaching the Julius Caesar. If you have any questions along the way, please don't hesitate to get in touch. I love hearing from fellow teachers who share a passion for great literature! 

Happy teaching!

Adam Jernigan, Ph.D.

adamjernigan@gmail.com

P.S. Remember to “follow” my store to receive email updates on new products by Rigorous Resources. New products will be 50% OFF for the first 24 hours!

Feel free to check out these complete units on Shakespeare's masterpieces:

COMPLETE UNIT with Workbooks on Romeo and Juliet

COMPLETE UNIT with Workbooks on Julius Caesar

COMPLETE UNIT with Workbooks on Macbeth

COMPLETE UNIT with Workbooks on Othello

COMPLETE UNIT with Workbooks on Hamlet

COMPLETE UNIT with Workbooks on Much Ado About Nothing

INTRO TO SHAKESPEARE: Biography, Globe Theater, Language, & Meter

An easy to read format to get your students writing!

And check out these other resources!

• All Things English For Middle & High School Students
• Defending Disney Villains
• Revising & Editing Workbook
• Revising & Editing for Group Lessons
• Bell Ringers for the Semester
• Everything Writing

Free checklist of parts of an introductory literary analysis for AP, Pre-AP, G/T, college level writers. Students are asked to locate: Hook--different kinds list Author's name Title of text Summary Area of literary analysis list Thesis, and write down your thesis Makes writing an introduction for a literary analysis easier to understand. Great for ELA test prep! Meets CCSS.

This product has 3 parts. First, there is a hi-lighting activity that requires students to go back into an Argument Essay they've already written and color-code the different essential parts of their writing. You could post this assignment on Google classroom or project the directions onto the Smart Board. The second part is a checklist for Argument Writing. You will make a copy for each student. The students could use it themselves for self- assessment, OR they could switch and use it for peer feedback. Finally, there is a very helpful chart that includes transition words for Argument Writing, including power words, transition words, turnback words, and counter argument words. You can copy this for all students, hang it on the wall, project it on the Smart Board, or post it on Google classroom. My students keep this in their binders to refer to all year long.

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Graphic organizers are a powerful, visual tool that helps students to brainstorm, map and organize their ideas.

The Writing Graphic Organizer Bundle includes:

-Bubble Map

-Compare & Contrast Venn Diagram

-Concept Map

-Narrative Plot Diagram

-Opinion Writing

-Persuasive Essay Writing

-Spider Writing Map

You are getting 7 graphic organizers for the price of 5 - this is a $4.00 savings!!!!

If your children/students enjoy these graphic organizers for their writing projects, please feel free to leave me a review so other buyers can your opinion of this bundle.

I appreciate your support!!!!

Tina - Big Easy Homeschooling Mom

Description:

• This is a writing packet meant to help students brainstorm and write their introduction, body, and conclusion paragraphs. I did this with fourth-grade students, and they thrived with the added structure. Let's be honest. Literary Analysis Essays can be so confusing to begin with! The added structure is always a safe route to go! It is my assumption that this will take around two to three weeks to complete depending on classroom factors.

Includes:

• 6 worksheets containing:

  • One summary worksheet
  • One worksheet for defining the difference between summaries and Literary Analysis
  • One brainstorming and planning sheet
  • One introduction paragraph template
  • One body paragraph template
  • One conclusion paragraph template
  • All pictured in the previews!

• 1.5 line spacing

• Added instruction and advice inside

If you like this product, check out the other writing packets in my store!

Your feedback is appreciated!

This 3-page form asks students to specifically rate their performance on the 6 components of effective effort on a given essay: TIME, FOCUS, RESOURCEFULNESS, USE OF STRATEGIES, USE OF FEEDBACK, and COMMITMENT. This product is modeled after teachings from The Skillful Teacher by Jon Saphier, Mary Ann Haley-Speca, and Robert Gower and encourages a growth mindset in students. I provide this form to my students every single time I assign a paper and am always pleasantly surprised at how honest they are in their responses, especially as the incentive for guessing their grade is 2 bonus points! ____________________________________________________________________________ Also, check out this great lesson plan for teaching Effective Effort by Language Arts Excellence: ⭐Effective Effort Lesson Plan ____________________________________________________________________________ ⭐Click to Follow Language Arts Excellence⭐

The Argument Document: Analyzing Arguments product is a wonderful for students to breakdown an article or document for analysis. This product can be used as a Workbook packet. It has 6 Worksheet pages, Suggested Uses, 2+ types of worksheets: 2 Argumentation Chart with black & White versions. High school students get to practice identifying claims and textual evidence to write an Argumentative Essay. Check it out!

In this product:

1. Suggested Uses

2. 4+ Types of Worksheets

3. Workbook format provided

4. Black and white version and more to make your classroom GREAT!

You may also appreciate:

The AP ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHER STARTER KIT [BUNDLE]

LITERARY ANALYSIS BUNDLE [1]

Visual Rhetoric [Bundle] [Series#2]

AP ENGLISH LITERATURE BOOKNOTES

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I'm Richard Williams, The Angry Teacher. I've been teaching for 18+ Years , and have amassed quite a bit of knowledge to share. Please consider joining the Angry Teacher family; we'll enjoy having you in the fam!

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It's one thing to tell students that their papers need to be in MLA format, but it's another to actually give them an example AND the steps to make those adjustments. This comprehensive checklist is a perfect tool to help your students learn for themselves in our digital world - starting with adjusting their essays to MLA format on Google Docs!

What is this resource?

This resource provides students with a labeled example of an essay written in MLA format, as well as a step-by-step guide on how to make each adjustment in Google Docs. This guide even includes icon images so students can get a visual of what these tools look like!

How do I use this in my classroom?

In my writing units, I format the students' rough drafts before I assign it to them on Google Classroom, but they have to format their papers themselves when it comes time for them to type up their final drafts. I give them this checklist when I first assign the Final Draft assignment and give them time to follow the steps themselves. I facilitate and answer questions as needed.

What's Included?

• A Comprehensive Checklist of steps to follow in order to adjust an essay to be in MLA format on Google Docs - in color!
• Black & White option of the Checklist
• A clearly-labeled example of an essay typed in MLA format

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6th, 7th, AND 8th Grade ELA Common Core State Standards DIGITAL Checklist BUNDLE

This cloud of thoughts cute simple and basic graphic organizer is a great tool for students to benefit from brainstorming activities. It is can be used to many different books in any curriculum or else. Two versions are avalaible.

You may like:

• Polygons for beginners.
• Coordinate for beginners.
• Fractions for beginners.

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This fun and engaging burger-themed rubric makes writing expectations clear and understandable for students. With four clear levels of achievement, this rubric provides valuable guidance for students to improve their writing skills.

What's Included:

• Four-Level Rubric: Detailed criteria for each level, from "Incomplete Work" to "Above and Beyond," covering essential writing elements.
• Versatile Format: Suitable for both classroom posters and individual student printouts as a guide for each student's binder/writing assignment.

⭐Writing Attempts:

Narrative
Christmas: Trapped in a Snow Globe | My Snowman Came to Life
Thanksgiving: How the Turkey Escaped Thanksgiving Dinner | How the Turkey Escaped Thanksgiving Dinner

Others: Journey to the Center of the Earth | Forms of Energy in my Car - Science, Art & WRITING Project

Easter: Benny the Bunny - Easter's Surprise | NOT Bunny - Eggcelent Easter/Spring Surprise

Halloween: Trapped in a Haunted House

Persuasive | Dear Santa - Villains Edition | Who Will Guide the Sleigh | Halloween: Can I Keep My Witch?

Don't forget to share with me how it went with your little ones. I hope it was useful in your classroom.

If you like this product, follow my store -Mettry Teaches- for more.

This includes two Articles "How do hurricanes form? A step-by-step guide" and "How Do Hurricanes Form?" plus a graph titled "Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale" . After reading these sources students are given a prompt for an expository essay on how hurricanes are formed. Includes a outline sheet that can be easily filled out in Google Docs as well as a rubric. This product works great in any digital classroom. This is editable in Google Docs. You must have Google Drive to use this product! You may sign up for Google drive for free Visit here for help with Google Drive

This handout provides a thorough and clear explanation of how to properly embed quotations within a paper. The handout will introduce students to the three methods they should be using to introduce textual evidence. It offers a lucid account of how to properly punctuate quotations, how to properly alter quotations, and how to properly cite evidence from different literary genres (novel, plays, poems, etc).

Tired of reading papers in which students repeat the exact same phrases to introduce a series of quotations? Tired of reading papers in which students contextualize evidence by writing, On page 34, it says, "blah blah" ?? Look no further! I developed this resource after listening to my talented English colleagues chat about their shared frustrations over how students frame quotations in their papers. If the teachers at your school are facing similar frustrations, then you might find this handout to be helpful.

As it turns out, there are only three strategies that writers employ when embedding quotations in a paper. This handout explains when and how students should use each of the three strategies:

1. Block Quotations: The best technique for framing a long quotation is to use a block quotation. The examples in this handout will model not only how to punctuate a block quotation but also how to follow up with analysis by picking out key words from the quotation and unpacking their significance.

2. Clause-and-Colon Method: The best technique for framing a mid-sized quotation is to introduce the quotation with an independent clause followed by a colon (:). The examples in this handout will model the grammatically correct way to use a colon to set up a quotation.

3. Integration-of-Keywords Method: The best technique for framing shorter quotations is to integrate the quotations into the writer's own sentences. The examples in this handout demonstrate how to integrate quotations seamlessly into the flow of one's sentences.

Here's my suggestion for how to use this handout. What I'd recommend is that you distribute this handout to your students before you distribute your next writing assignment. After reading and discussing each of the three methods, you might announce that all students will be required to utilize both the "clause-and-colon method" and the "integration-of-keywords method" at least once in their next papers. Should you do that, I promise their papers will improve!

My store is called “Rigorous Resources” because all of the materials prioritize rigorous content over decorative graphics. While there are plenty of sellers whose lessons feature beautiful design elements, my resources promise to improve students' writing by equipping them with practical skills used by published academic writers.

The previews for my resources provide direct access to several pages of exemplary materials. Hit the green “Preview” button to see exactly what you’ll get. . . .

This 3-page document will come to you in two separate formats: a Word doc *and* a PDF. Because the Word doc is editable, you'll be able to costumize the resource to suit the skill levels of your students — year after year! If you don't have Microsoft Word, you'll still be able to access the resource as a PDF — which is easy to navigate and quick to print.

If there's anything I can do to support your amazing work in the classroom, please don't hesitate to get in touch. Thank you for choosing “Rigorous Resources”!!

Happy teaching!

Adam Jernigan, Ph.D.

adamjernigan@gmail.com

P.S. Don't forget to click “follow” for email updates on new products by Rigorous Resources. New products will be 50% OFF for the first 24 hours!

Feel free to check out these other resources on writing:

How to Write a College Application Essay

How to Write an Analytical Essay

How to Write an Poem Analysis Essay (AP Lit FRQ 1)

Figurative Language Stations

Looking to help your students master the passive voice for standardized tests like the STAAR? This 16-page resource is your go-to guide for teaching passive voice with a gradual increase in complexity.

Start with the basics of identifying subjects and verbs in sentences, then progress to understanding direct objects and other key components essential for a full grasp of passive voice. This packet is designed to make learning passive voice engaging and effective.

Included are:

• 5 Pages of handouts to make sure to make sure students understand each part of passive voice.
• Practice pages that progressively challenge students, ensuring they can identify and use passive voice with confidence.
• Exercises in evaluating and revising sentences, crucial for mastering the revising sections of tests.
• 2 editing passages for applied practice, perfect for honing skills in a test-like environment.

Ideal for both classroom use and independent practice, this resource is an excellent tool for students in middle and high school.

Need help with organizing cause and effect essays? These 7 charts will guide students through planning and pre-writing cause and effect essays. Step-by-Step graphic organizers with note about cause and effect definitions, paragraph writing tip, and writing challenge to reorganize the essay on each handout.

Excellent for assessment practice, college test prep, standardized test prep, and expository writing. Helps build critical thinking skills. Meets state and federal ELA guidelines.

Graphic organizers can be helpful in being visual aids when students are writing.

• Helps students focus on their thoughts for planning, decision-making, and writing an essay

• Helps students see the connections, patterns, and relationships between facts, concepts, and ideas 

• Organizers provide a visual depiction for writers by showing them where each piece of the essay is placed within an essay

Bubble maps are used to display two different main ideas, their similarities, and their differences.

I hope your students/children enjoy this bubble map by understanding the importance of why a graphic organizer is needed, as well as understanding the variables of a bubble map.

Bubble map is in Google Slides, Powerpoint, and PDF formats.

Happy Writing!

Tina Arozena

Big Easy Homeschooling Mom

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Engaging Writing templates for boys and girls!

Fifteen fun front and back templates!

A fun border design for each template:

1. Spooky Spiders
2. Horses
3. Pandas
4. Safari Animals
5. Woodland Creatures
6. Sweet Desserts
7. Junk Food
8. Frogs
9. Gorillas and Bananas
10. Puppies
11. Naruto
12. Princesses
13. Harry Potter
14. Aliens
15. Butterflies and Flowers

This 3-page form asks students to specifically rate their performance on the 6 components of effective effort on a given essay: TIME, FOCUS, RESOURCEFULNESS, USE OF STRATEGIES, USE OF FEEDBACK, and COMMITMENT. This product is modeled after teachings from The Skillful Teacher by Jon Saphier, Mary Ann Haley-Speca, and Robert Gower and encourages a growth mindset in students. I provide this form to my students every single time I assign a paper and am always pleasantly surprised at how honest they are in their responses, especially as the incentive for guessing their grade is 2 bonus points! ____________________________________________________________________________ Also, check out this great lesson plan for teaching Effective Effort by Language Arts Excellence: ⭐Effective Effort Lesson Plan ____________________________________________________________________________ ⭐Click to Follow Language Arts Excellence⭐