Writing Activities
10th Grade
Activity One
Do you think that text messaging influences the way that you write in school? Have you ever used text messaging “lingo” (example: LOL) in school? How often do you text message? When you do text a friend, do you use correct grammar? What are some of the effects of text messaging? (example: incorrect grammar, accidents while driving, etc.)
Change the text message below to correct English.
Wht are u doin? B4 u leave 4 vaca I want to c u. Am bored. Wanna hang out w/u. Let me kno when u want 2 hang out.
Correct:
What are you doing? Before you leave for vacation, I want to see you. I am bored. I want to hang out with you. Let me know when you want to hang out.
Activity Two
What is your favorite type of music? Do your parents/guardians listen to the same type of music? How do you think music has changed in the last couple of years? Do you think that music with “explicit” lyrics (lyrics that use bad words) effect our society? Do you think that certain music should not be played on the radio? Why or why not?
Below is an excerpt of a song. Change the lyrics into a grammatically correct paragraph.
Me Love by Sean Kingston
See the first time me looking at your eyes
me be tell you want a guy like me (guy like me)
we use to have good times on the evening
me and you chilling on the beach (on the beach)
We use to kiss and trust me
girl it feels so sweet (feels so sweet)
den one day you move
now I'm feeling kinda blue
cause we hear you say you leave (you leave)
I feel like I'm drowning in the ocean
Correct Version:
The first time I looked into your eyes, I could tell you wanted a guy like me. We used to have good times in the evening when were on the beach. When we used to kiss, trust me it felt so sweet. You said you had to leave. Then one day you moved and now I’m feeling kind of blue. Now, I feel like I’m drowning in the ocean.
Activity Three
If you won a million dollars, what would be the first thing you would buy? Who would be the first person you would call? How much of the money do you think you would invest (put in the bank)? Do you think you would rather win the million dollars, or earn it? Why?
Below there are blanks for you to add appropriate words. Think of each letter of the words you select to be worth one dollar. The bigger the word you use, the more money it will be worth. Who will have the most money?
If I did win a million dollars, I would be so ______. I would first go and______a convertible Cadillac. I think those are the most ______cars on the market today. I would want the color of the car to be ______. After ______this new automobile, I would not call, but ______over to my friend Carlos’ house. I might not have the time to go the bank ______, but I think when I did go, I would invest at least half of my winnings. I really wouldn’t matter to me if I won the money, or earned it because either way I am ______.
Activity Four
Give a specific example of a time you were experienced one of the following situations. Remember, be specific.
· Being late for the bus
· Attending a fun event/party
· Fell asleep in class
· Won a competition (sports, video game, etc.)
· Got a good grade on a test/project
Great writers use specific details in order to make their writing “come alive.” Read the following excerpt from The Great Gatsby. After reading the excerpt, add (at least) 2-3 more details to your paragraph above.
The sister, Catherine, was a slender, worldly girl of about thirty with a solid sticky bob of red hair and a complexion powdered milky white. Her eyebrows had been plucked and then drawn on again at a more rakish angle but the efforts of nature toward the restoration of the old alignment gave a blurred air to her face. When she moved about there was an incessant clicking as innumerable pottery bracelets jingled up and down on her arms.
Activity Five
Think about the last movie that you saw that seemed a little too long. What part of the story didn’t seem necessary? Have you heard a song that had a lyric that didn’t quite seem to fit the song? How did it affect how much you enjoy or dislike the song? How would the movie or song be different if the unnecessary part was removed?
Sometimes when writers digress (move away from) the main point of the paragraph (or essay) it makes the story confusing or boring to read. Read the following paragraphs and underline the sentence(s) that digress from the main point.
Imagine how your life would be different if you didn’t have to do homework. Although homework sometimes contributes to what you’re learning in class, it often takes away from extra-curricular activities. Studies show that homework does not contribute to the overall success of students. There have been other studies that show the positive correlation between extra-curricular activities and leadership. It makes you wonder with all of the studies that prove that homework is more or less a “waste of time,” why do teachers continue to distribute it on a daily basis.
There are a plethora (a lot) of middle schools that are enforcing school uniforms. The uniforms are intended (supposed to be) to help decrease bullying among students, as well as, create a less distractive learning environment. Aren’t crazy haircuts distracting too? Students don’t seem to be extremely happy about the change to uniforms, because it restricts (hurts/goes against) their individuality.
Activity Six
What is your favorite thing to eat? How many times a month do you eat this food? Do you prefer to eat it at a restaurant or at home? What are some of the key ingredients in this dish?
Below is a paragraph that seems out of order. Help re-arrange the paragraph so that it makes more sense.
Making the dough was nearly impossible. I thought it would be easy, but I was wrong. I was more successful at destroying the kitchen then baking the pizza. My favorite food is pizza, which is why I attempted to make one last night. I guess next time I have a pizza craving, I will order from a restaurant.
Example of Corrected Paragraph
My favorite food is pizza, which is why I attempted to make one last night. I thought it would be easy, but I was wrong. Making the dough was nearly impossible. I was more successful at destroying my kitchen, then baking the pizza. I guess next time I have a pizza craving, I will order from a restaurant.
Activity Seven
Where is one place you wish you could have gone this summer? What would you have done while you were visiting? Who is one person you can think of that you would have wanted to have gone with you? What is the one thing that you could absolutely not leave home with out for this trip? Why?
Below circle the correct verb tense.
If I (could/can) travel anywhere in the world, I think that I would really like to (visiting/visit) the jungle. I (is/am) not very familiar with jungles, so I am not sure which I (would/will) enjoy visiting. My sister is a great travel companion, so she would (has/have) to come with me. While in the jungle, I (would/will) love to take pictures of all the crazy animals I would probably (saw/see). Besides a camera that I would (needs/need) to take pictures, I would also want to bring some bug spray, because I (hear/heard) that the jungle (has/have) enormous bugs!
Activity Eight
When is the last time you waited in line for a long period of time? What were you waiting to buy or get? Was the item worth the wait? Would you wait in a line overnight for something that you really wanted? If yes, what is the product?
Reading a paragraph that has run-on sentences is a lot like waiting in a long line. You may become confused or just really bored. Complete the run-on and fragment sheet that is provided.
Activity Nine
If you could take a pill (not knowing how it will affect you) that would make you smarter, would you take it? What if you knew the pill had dangerous side effects, but you would be paid one million dollars, would you take it? How would being a genius (really smart) change your life? What would you do with this new intelligence in order to make more money?
Read the following excerpt from The Flowers from Algernon (about a man who goes through experimental research in order to make him smarter). After you are done reading, change the excerpt to a grammatically correct paragraph.
progris riport 1 martch 3
Dr Strauss says I shoud rite down what I think and remembir and evrey thing that happins to me from now on. I dont no why but he says its importint so they will see if they can use me. I hope they use me becaus Miss Kinnian says mabye they can make me smart. I want to be smart. My name is Charlie Gordon I werk in Donners bakery where Mr Donner gives me 11 dollers a week and bred or cake if I want. I am 32 yeres old and next munth is my brithday. I tolld dr Strauss and perfesser Nemur I cant rite good but he says it dont matter he says I shud rite just like I talk
Corrected Version
Progress Report 1
March 3rd
Dr. Strauss says I should write down what I think and remember everything that happens to me from now on. I don’t know why, but he says it’s important so that they can see if they will use me. I hope they use me because Miss Kinnian told me that maybe they can make me smart. I want to be smart. My name is Charlie Gordon and I work at the Donner’s Bakery where Mr. Donner gives me eleven dollars a week, plus all the bread and cake I want. I am thirty-two years old and next month is my birthday. I told Dr. Strauss and professor Nemur I can’t write well, but they both said that it doesn’t matter.
Activity Ten
What is something you would like to be famous for doing or accomplishing? Famous people are always being photographed and followed, do you think you enjoy fame or hate it? If you were famous, which magazine would you like to be on the cover?
Read the excerpt from the 2007 interview from the LA times with David Beckham. Several of the sentences below seem long. Try to shorten some of the sentences. It is important to remember to change up the length of the sentences, and the way the start of your sentences.
Q: You have mentioned wanting to play in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. That presents quite a challenge in staying at that level for another three years.
A: It’s a huge challenge, but I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t believe that I could do it. I believe I can play for my country up until the World Cup and I’d love to do that. If it’s possible, then great. If it’s not possible, then I will look back on my career for my country as a successful one.
It might be me being stubborn, but I believe I can play in that World Cup. Whether I’m given a chance to or not, who knows? But I’ve got the belief.
Q: You have visited South Africa and met Nelson Mandela. What was that experience like?
A: I remember him just sat [sitting] there holding my hand and talking to me. Just meeting him was pretty incredible because he’s such a powerful man who gives so much to so many people. For him to be actually talking to me, let alone interacting with me in the way that he was, for me it was one of the highlights of my life. There’s many people that I’ve always said that I’d love to meet and have met. I’ve always wanted to meet the Queen. I’ve met the Queen. Prime Ministers. Many, many people in the sporting side. And then to meet someone like Nelson Mandela, with so much history behind him, was one of the most incredible moments of my life.
Activity Eleven
The entire country seems to be affected by the rising gas prices. What do you think are some of the causes (reasons why) of the rising gas prices? What are some of the effects (results of) of the rising gas costs (example: people riding bus, etc.) How do you think we can help solve this current problem?
People often use the wrong homophone. Use the worksheet in order to practice when to use words like affect and effect (as used above).
Activity Twelve
The cause of something is the reason why it happens. The effect is the things that happen as a result of the cause. Below, fill in possible causes and effects for the situations.
Causes / Effects1. / 1. Increase of students who drop out of high school
2. Students text messaging / 2.
3. / 3. Increase of gas prices
4. Increase of gas prices / 4.
5. / 5. School uniforms