8th grade comp. Semester Test Review: Writing

  1. Reading/understanding prompts:

List 3 words you associate with each type of writing:

  1. Narrative:
  2. Informative:
  3. Argumentative:

Answer the following question:

  1. What is the purpose of a writing prompt?
  1. Essay composition/authorship

Circle T (true) or F (false) for each of the following statements

T F 5. It is important to consider who your audience (the reader) will be when

When you are writing.

T F 6. You would use the same reasons and word choice when writing for your

Grandma as when you write for your best friend that is your age.

T F 7. Your purpose changes with your mode of writing.

T F 8. Citing a source means you are writing the author a citation or ticket

T F 9. Paraphrasing is summarizing information from a passage without

Having to give credit to the author

T F 10. Hook sentence goes at the beginning of the introduction paragraph

T F 11. The goal of the hook sentence is to let the reader know how boring your paper will be

T F 12. Counterclaims argue the opposing point of view.

T F 13. A concession is the author agreeing that the other side may have a point

T F 14. Rebuttals are the author’s way of arguing for their point

T F 15. Plagarism is using someone else’s words as your own.

T F 16. You must write 6 paragraphs to have a correctly written argumentative essay.

Thesis statements:

Directions: Compose a 3 partthesis statement for each of the following prompts:

  1. Explain why an animal would be placed on the endangered species list.
  1. Tell about a time when you learned a lesson.
  1. Which is better: pepperoni or cheese pizza? Explain/Persuade.

Decide which mode of writing each of these prompts is asking for.

  1. Toys have escaped from Santa’s workshop. Tell the story of their journies.
  1. narrative
  2. informative
  3. argumentative
  1. Santa is feeding his reindeer genetically modified foods in an attempt to pump them up for the big Christmas Eve trip. Explain why this is a bad idea on Santa’s part. What are the possible consequences of the reindeer ingesting large quantities of GMO foods?
  2. Narrative
  3. Informative
  4. Argumentative
  1. Santa is debating on changing his one night delivery, on December 24, to a two night delivery, December 23 and December 24. Do you agree or disagree with this change?
  2. Narrative
  3. Informative
  4. Argumentative

Writing Process:

List the steps of the writing process (as they apply to the state test)

1.

2.

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4.

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6.