Writing SampleActivity

I would like to see how well you write. You will go through a truncated version

of the writing process as a reminder of how to write an essay and to show me your strengths and weaknesses as a writer.

This is not a formal evaluation of your writing skills. This essay will be graded in a relaxed format where effort rather than ability will be graded.

Complete the following sentence in at LEAST ten different ways:

This year, I hope…

Study your list and organize it into categories. You may want to just choose two categories.

Sample categories:• Impossible• Might happen• Depends on others• Depends on me• Will take a lot of work• Will not take much effort

Extremely difficult Simple Out of my control

To become #1 in my class

To make an A in 3 of my classes

To own my own car

To score the winning point in a game

To not get lost in school

To date a senior

To stay out of Mr. Mercer’s office

To pass my driver’s test

To have Mrs. O’Brien for English

Write two paragraphs (minimum of 3 sentences each) about your hope list.

Make sure to use the chart you made to help organize your list.

You may want to focus on two categories and then each category is a separate paragraph.

Paragraph 1:• Many of my hopes or goals for this year will

only happen if I work really hard. These hopes include….

Paragraph 2:• Although many of my goals for this year will

take a lot of work, some of them are out of my control. This means that the actions of others will determine whether or not I reach the following goals…

Write ONE paragraph (minimum of 3 sentences) explaining what you think your list tells about yourself, about your life, and about the world around you.

Example:• As you can see my hopes show that I do care a

lot about sports. I work really hard to be good at…

• I think that it is important to make good grades in today’s world. If I do not apply myself now I won’t get into the college of my choice because of how competitive college is.

You are finished. I want you to take a few minutes to

read over your work and correct any silly mistakes you may have made, but please do not over-analyze the paper as it is an informal writing assignment.