1. Never, EVER state, “This is my story,” or “My essay/paragraph is about, etc…”

2.  Ask a rhetorical question. These questions don’t really have an answer. They are posed to get the reader thinking of a certain topic. They can be quite effective, but can easily be over used! HINT: This is Ms. Wines’ LEAST favorite! You ask, “Why?” Because it is the most often used! Be creative and use other types. A rhetorical question CAN NOT be answered with “yes” or “no!” If you ask a question, answer it for the reader. Attention Grabbers

3.   What is your school doing to improve test scores? Teaching to the test has become a priority for schools across the nation. Because of uncommon state standards, each state uses their own methods to practice skills focused on the tests.  When was the last time you saw someone make the right choice? The difference between right and wrong is not always a definitive clear line for everyone. Based on cultural and social norms, the right choice may not be identical for two people facing the same choice. Examples:

4.  Topic: Should cell phones be allowed at school? Be prepared to share._________________________________________________ Your Turn!

5.  Use a quote from an expert, someone famous, or a significant person in your life. Examples:  When I visited my relatives in Michigan, I learned very quickly that the old German proverb, “Never give advice unless asked,” is true.  As John Wooden once said, “ The true athletes should have character, not be a character.” Makes me think of someone like Dennis Rodman…

6.  Topic: About overcoming a stressful or difficult situation. ( If you don’t have a favorite quote that fits, pretend and make one up.) Be prepared to share.__________________________________________ Your Turn!

7.  Give interesting background information  Before the Civil War, it was against the law in some parts of this country for Blacks to learn to read and write keeping people at a disadvantage.  For years, people have found many ways to protect themselves. Today, they wear camouflage uniforms and shoot pepper spray along with many other forms of protection. Each is unique based on the needs of the consumer.

8.  Topic: Battle of Yorktown OR the Boston Massacre Be prepared to share._________________________________________________ Your Turn!

9.  Dramatize the controversy. Examples:  The chain saws and bulldozers are coming to Belmer Woods.  Not exercising is bound to make you obese and lazy.

10.  Topic: Doing homework. Be prepared to share._________________________________________________ Your Turn!

11.  Examples:  They sting! They stink! They taste bad! What could “they” possible be? They are animals that protect themselves.  Over twenty percent of today’s teenagers are obese. Share interesting or surprising details about the subject. This can include facts or statistics.

12.  Topic: Is the internet beneficial or hazardous? Be prepared to share._________________________________________________ Your Turn

13.  Use a short anecdotal story. You would then go on to explain what happened. Examples:  Baby sitting is a breeze, or so I thought, until I babysat the Jeffery twins.  I will never forget the last time I had to make a difficult choice.

14.  Start in the middle of the action ! Example:  Crash! “Ow!” I yelled. I didn’t know what had just smacked me in the back of the head, but I was sure going to find out.

15.  Topic: You are writing a personal narrative about the time you were dog sitting and the dog ran away. Be prepared to share._________________________________________________ Your Turn!

16.  Use a description of a person or setting. Example: Setting As the wind began to pick up, the icy waves violently crashed against the fragile fishing boat. It bobbed like a cork recklessly almost tipping over with each new concussion. Soon the darkness of the night would match the darkness of the sea.

17.  Topic: Set up a story by either describing a spooky setting or describing a mysterious character. Be prepared to share._________________________________________________ Your Turn!

18.  Examples:  The Webster's dictionary defines compassion as “…sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with the desire to alleviate it.”  Homicide is “the killing of one person by another” according to American Heritage Student Dictionary. Use a brief definition to introduce a topic or concept that you will write about.

19.  Topic: You are writing a science paper for Ms. Brace or Mrs. Mohr. Choose a science concept (such as hypothesis, genetics, photosynthesis, etc.) to write about and define it. Be prepared to share._________________________________________________ Your Turn!