1. Writing Sample Activity

2.  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.

3.  Complete the following sentence in at LEAST ten different ways:  This year, I hope…

4.  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

5. Extremely difficultSimpleOut 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 testTo have Mrs. O’Brien for English

6.  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.

7.  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…

8.  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.

9.  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.