Like Your Topic or Like It NotIt doesnt

Like Your Topic, or Like It Not-It doesn’t matter, you’ve got what you’ve got!

Read the prompt first, then make a plan and come up with a good starting “hook” Be ready to share your plans and hooks…

WRITING SITUATION: Riding a horse looks like a lot of fun! DIRECTIONS FOR WRITING: Think about what it’s like to get on a horse and ride all around a farm or ranch, or down a bridle path. Now, tell the reader about a time when you rode a horse. (Remember: Even if you’ve never ridden a horse, you can pretend…Sometimes the prompts are about things we’ve never seen or done. )

WRITING SITUATION: Your mom has told you that you are in charge of dinner tonight because she has to work late. The problem is, she’s bringing her boss home for dinner! DIRECTIONS FOR WRITING: Think about how you’re going to prepare dinner and get the house ready for important company. Now, explain to the reader of your paper what you have to do to prepare for the important dinner party that will be going on at your house tonight.

WRITING SITUATION: You have just decided to begin collecting “something”, because you’ve heard how much fun and exciting it can be. DIRECTIONS FOR WRITING: Before you begin writing, think about what you would like to collect and why that would be a fun hobby. Now, explain to the reader what you will be collecting and why it’s a fun hobby for you.

WRITING SITUATION: You’ve been invited to go to the ice cream parlor with your teacher, as a reward for scoring a 6 on your FCAT Writes test, and she says you can order whatever you’d like. DIRECTIONS FOR WRITING: Before you begin writing, think about what you’ll do and ask for at the ice cream parlor. Now, tell the reader about the day you went to the ice cream parlor with your teacher, as a reward for scoring a 6 on your FCAT Writes test.

WRITING SITUATION: Harry Potter is the top rated book for children and many adults, and has sold millions of copies worldwide. DIRECTIONS FOR WRITING: Before you begin writing, think about what you’ve seen and read about the Harry Potter books and movies. Now, explain to the reader why Harry Potter holds so much interest for readers, old and young.

WRITING SITUATION: You can’t be first in line every time! Someone has to be last, and sometimes you’re that person. DIRECTIONS FOR WRITING: Think about what it’s like to be last in a long line. Now, explain to the reader what it’s like to be the very last person in a long line.

WRITING SITUATION: Sometimes you will hear the sound of a dog barking and growling. DIRECTIONS FOR WRITING: Before you begin writing, think about what might make a dog bark or growl. Now, tell the reader a story about the day you heard a dog barking and growling in your back yard.

WRITING SITUATION: Not everyone loves sports, but the television stations broadcast all of the major games. DIRECTIONS FOR WRITING: Think about sports events that have been on your local television station. Now, write about a sports show that you’ve seen on television.

WRITING SITUATION: More and more people will be enjoying trips into space in the future. DIRECTIONS FOR WRITING: Before you begin writing, think about what kind of pet-life may be in space. Now, tell the reader about a new kind of pet you caught in space and brought home.

WRITING SITUATION: You’re helping your grandmother move out of her old home, and into a smaller one. As you clean out the attic, you discover an old package, addressed to your grandmother and dated March, 1952, that has never been opened. DIRECTIONS FOR WRITING: Before you begin writing, try to imagine why this package has remained unopened. Now, tell a story about the package that you discovered in your grandmother’s attic that has never been opened.

WRITING SITUATION: Everyone has imagined what it would be like to be lost. DIRECTIONS FOR WRITING: Before you begin writing, think about the feelings you might experience if you were lost. Now, tell a story about a time you were lost.

WRITING SITUATION: Sneakers are popular with everyone! They range in price from “inexpensive” to “extremely expensive”! DIRECTIONS FOR WRITING: Think about sneakers you’ve had and some you’ve wanted, but couldn’t afford. Now, explain to the reader why inexpensive sneakers can be just as good, or better, than expensive ones.

WRITING SITUATION: You just won a contest, whose prize is your choice of one gift from TOYS R US! DIRECTIONS FOR WRITING: Before you begin writing, think about what kind of contest you have entered. Then, think about what prize you will choose from the store. Now, tell about winning the contest and describe the prize you chose from TOYS R US.

WRITING SITUATION: Everyone would like to receive straight A’s in school. DIRECTIONS FOR WRITING: Before you begin writing, think about why it is important for you to get good grades in school, and how exciting getting straight A’s would be. Now, explain to the reader of your paper why making good grades is important, and why getting straight A’s is your ultimate goal.

WRITING SITUATION: Bacon is one of America’s favorite breakfast foods! DIRECTIONS FOR WRITING: Before you begin writing, think about how bacon smells, and how it makes you feel when you wake up to the smell of frying bacon in your house. Now, explain to the reader how you feel when you smell bacon frying early in the morning.

WRITING SITUATION: Desserts can be tasty and fattening, but we always seem to have a craving for them! DIRECTIONS FOR WRITING: Think about what dessert you always seem to want and can never get enough of… Now, explain to the reader why you crave that particular dessert. (Remember to write so that we can “see” what you’re saying, not just read about it. )

WRITING SITUATION: Something was stolen from your teacher’s desk. You saw who did it---it was your best friend! If you tell on him/her, your friendship will be over. DIRECTIONS FOR WRITING: Before you begin writing, think about what you would do if you saw your best friend taking something that didn’t belong to him/her. Now, tell the reader what you would do if your best friend took something from the teacher’s desk that didn’t belong to him/her, and you knew that if you told, he/she wouldn’t be your friend anymore.

WRITING SITUATION: Your teacher has given you full responsibility for the class for the next hour. DIRECTIONS FOR WRITING: Before you begin writing, think about what you would do if you were in charge of the class for an hour. Now, tell the reader about the day that your teacher left you in charge of your class for a whole hour.