Writing-Expository Handouts

Creative Writing Prompt: Design a Restaurant Menu

By Jennifer Nguyen

**Descriptive Writing: Menu Master
**

Key Features:

  • Easy-to-use: Designed for seamless integration into your classroom.
  • Customizable: Students create unique and personalized restaurant menus.
  • Comprehensive: Includes a variety of food ideas, a helpful word mat, and editable menu templates.

What's Included:

  • A diverse list of cuisines to spark creativity.
  • Blank and final menu templates for students to design their own.
  • A convenient word mat with descriptive adjectives and verbs.

Benefits:

  • Enhances writing skills: Teaches descriptive language and sentence structure.
  • Fosters creativity: Encourages students to think outside the box and develop imaginative ideas.
  • Builds confidence: Helps students feel empowered as they create their own menus.
  • Versatile learning: Suitable for various classroom settings and learning styles.
    Printable PDF Format: Ready-to-go!

Download Now: Get your free copy of the Descriptive Writing - Write a Menu Worksheet today and watch your students' creativity flourish!

Leave a review and let me know what you think! Your feedback helps me keep creating free resources for teachers and students.

Free

MLA Formatting - All Things English for Middle and High School Students

By Blooming Through High School

Show your students exactly how it should be done with this handy guide. Clear instructions, examples, and a page for their own notes!

This free resource goes perfect with the All Things English for Middle and High School Students book!

And check out these other resources!

  • Defending Disney Villains
  • Revising & Editing Workbook
  • Revising & Editing for Group Lessons
  • Bell Ringers for the Semester
  • Everything Writing
Free

R.A.C.E.S. Writing Strategy Grade 4 (WonderWorks)

By Peter D

This is a 32-page set of worksheets to help grade 4 students practice the R.A.C.E.S. Writing Strategy. The R.A.C.E.S. Writing Strategy (Restate, Answer, Cite, Explain, Summarize) is a method that students can use to write meaningful responses to questions about a written text.

For each week in the WonderWorks Interactive Worktext for Grade Four, there is one question for students to answer using the R.A.C.E.S. Writing Strategy. Please note that students must have the WonderWorks Interactive Worktext for Grade Four in order to answer the questions in these worksheets.

Free

R.A.C.E.S. Writing Strategy Grade 3 (WonderWorks)

By Peter D

This is a 64-page set of worksheets to help grade 3 students practice the R.A.C.E.S. Writing Strategy. The R.A.C.E.S. Writing Strategy (Restate, Answer, Cite, Explain, Summarize) is a method that students can use to write meaningful responses to questions about a written text.

For each week in the WonderWorks Interactive Worktext for Grade Three, there are two questions for students to answer using the R.A.C.E.S. Writing Strategy. Please note that students must have the WonderWorks Interactive Worktext for Grade Three in order to answer the questions in these worksheets.

Free

R.A.C.E.S. Writing Strategy Grade 6 (WonderWorks)

By Peter D

This is a 32-page set of worksheets to help grade 6 students practice the R.A.C.E.S. Writing Strategy. The R.A.C.E.S. Writing Strategy (Restate, Answer, Cite, Explain, Summarize) is a method that students can use to write meaningful responses to questions about a written text.

For each week in the WonderWorks Interactive Worktext for Grade Six, there is one question for students to answer using the R.A.C.E.S. Writing Strategy. Please note that students must have the WonderWorks Interactive Worktext for Grade Six in order to answer the questions in these worksheets.

Free

R.A.C.E.S. Writing Strategy Grade 5 (WonderWorks)

By Peter D

This is a 33-page set of worksheets to help grade 5 students practice the R.A.C.E.S. Writing Strategy. The R.A.C.E.S. Writing Strategy (Restate, Answer, Cite, Explain, Summarize) is a method that students can use to write meaningful responses to questions about a written text.

For each week in the WonderWorks Interactive Worktext for Grade Five, there is one question for students to answer using the R.A.C.E.S. Writing Strategy. Please note that students must have the WonderWorks Interactive Worktext for Grade Five in order to answer the questions in these worksheets.

Free

Graphic Organizer for ACT/SAT and Expository

By Beth Hammett

New standardized tests, such as ACT and SAT, ask students to define the problem, sort through solutions, find the best solution, and explain why they chose their answers. This free graphic organizer will help students with working through the process!

Free

FREE 5 Writing Organizers + Bonus Features | Write Like a SUPERSTAR!

By Tom's Talk

This set of Writing Organizers are an excellent way to practice a variety of writing styles! This FREEBIE features the following 5 Writing Organizers:

⭐️ Explanatory (How to) Article

⭐️ Fictional Narrative

⭐️ Informative Report

⭐️ Personal Narrative ⭐️ Persuasive Essay

Additionally, this set comes with brainstorm and a lined writing paper templates.

For any questions, comments, or suggestions feel free to email us at: toms.talk.resources@gmail.com.

$1.00

Introducing Quotations: How to PROPERLY EMBED Evidence (i.e. Set Up Quotes)

By Rigorous Resources for High School English

This handout provides a thorough and clear explanation of how to properly embed quotations within a paper. The handout will introduce students to the three methods they should be using to introduce textual evidence. It offers a lucid account of how to properly punctuate quotations, how to properly alter quotations, and how to properly cite evidence from different literary genres (novel, plays, poems, etc).

Tired of reading papers in which students repeat the exact same phrases to introduce a series of quotations? Tired of reading papers in which students contextualize evidence by writing, On page 34, it says, "blah blah" ?? Look no further! I developed this resource after listening to my talented English colleagues chat about their shared frustrations over how students frame quotations in their papers. If the teachers at your school are facing similar frustrations, then you might find this handout to be helpful.

As it turns out, there are only three strategies that writers employ when embedding quotations in a paper. This handout explains when and how students should use each of the three strategies:

1. Block Quotations: The best technique for framing a long quotation is to use a block quotation. The examples in this handout will model not only how to punctuate a block quotation but also how to follow up with analysis by picking out key words from the quotation and unpacking their significance.

2. Clause-and-Colon Method: The best technique for framing a mid-sized quotation is to introduce the quotation with an independent clause followed by a colon (:). The examples in this handout will model the grammatically correct way to use a colon to set up a quotation.

3. Integration-of-Keywords Method: The best technique for framing shorter quotations is to integrate the quotations into the writer's own sentences. The examples in this handout demonstrate how to integrate quotations seamlessly into the flow of one's sentences.

Here's my suggestion for how to use this handout. What I'd recommend is that you distribute this handout to your students before you distribute your next writing assignment. After reading and discussing each of the three methods, you might announce that all students will be required to utilize both the "clause-and-colon method" and the "integration-of-keywords method" at least once in their next papers. Should you do that, I promise their papers will improve!

My store is called “Rigorous Resources” because all of the materials prioritize rigorous content over decorative graphics. While there are plenty of sellers whose lessons feature beautiful design elements, my resources promise to improve students' writing by equipping them with practical skills used by published academic writers.

The previews for my resources provide direct access to several pages of exemplary materials. Hit the green “Preview” button to see exactly what you’ll get. . . .

This 3-page document will come to you in two separate formats: a Word doc *and* a PDF. Because the Word doc is editable, you'll be able to costumize the resource to suit the skill levels of your students — year after year! If you don't have Microsoft Word, you'll still be able to access the resource as a PDF — which is easy to navigate and quick to print.

If there's anything I can do to support your amazing work in the classroom, please don't hesitate to get in touch. Thank you for choosing “Rigorous Resources”!!

Happy teaching!

Adam Jernigan, Ph.D.

adamjernigan@gmail.com

P.S. Don't forget to click “follow” for email updates on new products by Rigorous Resources. New products will be 50% OFF for the first 24 hours!

Feel free to check out these other resources on writing:

How to Write a College Application Essay

How to Write an Analytical Essay

How to Write an Poem Analysis Essay (AP Lit FRQ 1)

Figurative Language Stations

$1.00

Leaf Writing Paper: Fall-Themed Leaf Outline Lined Paper for Writing Projects

By Bunny Hop Shop

Inspire your students with our Leaf-Themed Writing Paper! Perfect for fall-themed activities, this fun apple-shaped design will make writing assignments more engaging. Featuring clip art leaves around the main shape, you can easily choose from six different line styles to suit your students' needs. Each style is also available with or without name and date lines for added convenience.

Free Apple Writing Paper!

Find Pumpkin Themed Writing Paper Here!

Check out my store for more themed writing paper!

$1.00

Writing Introductions

By Educate and Create

This is an informational handout to help students who have problems writing effective introduction paragraphs. ***** Check out my other Writing Resources***** Writing Thesis Statements Counterclaim and Rebuttal Writing Graphic Organizers Interactive Essay Writing Flipbook Argumentative Essay Essay prompt and articles :Narcissism Essay prompt and articles: Hurricanes Essay prompt and articles: Colonization in Africa

$1.00

Informational Writing Prompts for Grades 5-8

By Beth Hammett

Prepare students for informational, on-demand assessment writing with fourteen factual prompts that address everyday issues. Includes: Prompts: Driving Economy Fashion Global Warming Health Technology School Science Space Sports Lined extra handout paper for writing Themed graphics Help students overcome writer's block and fear of testing with these informational, on-demand prompts. Meets CCSS.

$1.50

The Great Gatsby CHARACTER ANALYSIS WORKSHEETS | 18 Worksheets (2 Per Chapter)!!

By Rigorous Resources for High School English

NEW IN 2020: Rigorous! Engaging! Thought-provoking! This 20-page EDITABLE document will invite your students to analyze the complex characters in F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. These daily writing activities promise to elicit dynamic engagement from all students without compromising on intellectual rigor. The worksheets will challenge your students to dig beneath the surface of the text and generate profound interpretive insights!

As you know, studying Fitzgerald’s nuanced construction of the characters is crucial for understanding this character-driven novel. These handouts will help students to develop a much deeper understanding of the characters while building skills in close reading!

What you'll get are 18 worksheets — two for each of the novel's 9 chapters — that invite students to analyze the main characters in The Great Gatsby. Each handout features a carefully selected passage that reveals key details about a character. Invite your students to write short paragraphs in which they analyze what the textual details reveal about the main characters. The worksheets focus on the following characters:

Nick Carraway

Jay Gatsby

Myrtle Wilson

George Wilson

Daisy Buchanan

Tom Buchanan

Jordan Baker

Henry Gatz

Because two worksheets are provided for each chapter, you can either select which worksheet to distribute or else allow students to choose which characters they wish to analyze. Admins and students alike will be thrilled to see you expanding students' voice and choice!

These worksheets will come to you in a 20-page EDITABLE Word document which you can customize to the needs of your students! The previews for my resources provide access to dozens of pages of actual content. Click on the green “PREVIEW” button to see what you’ll get. . . .

Thank you for choosing “Rigorous Resources”!!

Happy teaching!

Adam Jernigan, Ph.D.

adamjernigan@gmail.com

Note: These character analysis worksheets are also included in my Gatsby MEGA-Bundle. The bundle contains everything you'll need to deliver amazing and comprehensive lessons on Fitzgerald's novel: over 40 slides plus over 240 pages of content-rich handouts and activities. If you've already purchased the bundle, you don't need to purchase these worksheets. Thanks!

Click to view the Gatsby MEGA-Bundle

Click to view my TeachShare store

$1.99

Guess Your Grade - Effective Effort Form

By Language Arts Excellence

This 3-page form asks students to specifically rate their performance on the 6 components of effective effort on a given essay: TIME, FOCUS, RESOURCEFULNESS, USE OF STRATEGIES, USE OF FEEDBACK, and COMMITMENT. This product is modeled after teachings from The Skillful Teacher by Jon Saphier, Mary Ann Haley-Speca, and Robert Gower and encourages a growth mindset in students. I provide this form to my students every single time I assign a paper and am always pleasantly surprised at how honest they are in their responses, especially as the incentive for guessing their grade is 2 bonus points! ____________________________________________________________________________ Also, check out this great lesson plan for teaching Effective Effort by Language Arts Excellence: ⭐Effective Effort Lesson Plan ____________________________________________________________________________ ⭐Click to Follow Language Arts Excellence

$2.00

Guess Your Grade - Effective Effort Form

By Language Arts Excellence

This 3-page form asks students to specifically rate their performance on the 6 components of effective effort on a given essay: TIME, FOCUS, RESOURCEFULNESS, USE OF STRATEGIES, USE OF FEEDBACK, and COMMITMENT. This product is modeled after teachings from The Skillful Teacher by Jon Saphier, Mary Ann Haley-Speca, and Robert Gower and encourages a growth mindset in students. I provide this form to my students every single time I assign a paper and am always pleasantly surprised at how honest they are in their responses, especially as the incentive for guessing their grade is 2 bonus points! ____________________________________________________________________________ Also, check out this great lesson plan for teaching Effective Effort by Language Arts Excellence: ⭐Effective Effort Lesson Plan ____________________________________________________________________________ ⭐Click to Follow Language Arts Excellence

$2.00

Writing Prompts Non-Fiction, On-Demand Writing Prompts

By Beth Hammett

20 Non-fiction writing prompts to help students with assessment writing. Comes with 20 handouts with graphics and writing space. Includes:

In my future I see...

People say I'm a dreamer...

My life is like a song...

Home represents...

Gossip spreads like wildfire...

plus 15 more non-fiction writing prompts that relate to students' lives!

Excellent for assessment prep, journal prompts, non-fiction connections to readings. Use the prompts as introduction into research then use the writing process and peer workshop essays for Common Core requirements.

$2.00

Fall Thanksgiving Newspaper Writing Activity

By Beth Hammett

Have students write their own expository, fact-based newspaper articles and complete their own entertainment reviews with Talkin' Turkey Times. Plenty of templates for students to: draw pictures work on grammar skills work on spelling/vocabulary write themed articles paste related images (great for lower levels/extensions) practice main ideas write headings write titles form topic sentences work on paraphrasing/summarizing develop paragraphing skills work on proofreading/editing Easy to use, and great for bulletin board displays during Thanksgiving. Send home for students to complete with Thanksgiving memories while on holiday break. Great assessment tool and meets Common Core Standards.

$2.50

Doughnut Day: Activities to Celebrate the Holiday

By Beth Hammett

The first Friday in June is National Doughnut Day! Celebrate the day with this across-curriculum packet of fun-filled, critical thinking activities. Includes: Advertisement writing and designing Business Planning Handout and Rationale Crossword Puzzle with answers (quick assessment) Doughnut Designing Contest History Timeline Making Donuts Presentation with Research Survey with Chart/Graph and Explanation Vocabulary/Spelling Activity Writing Prompts (Expository) Great way to incorporate CCSS history, economics, home ec, and English skills.

$2.50

Dialogue, Inferencing, and Point of View

By Beth Hammett

14 non-fiction and 1 fiction scenarios with speech and thought bubbles for students to make inferences, practice point of view, and practice writing dialogue. Non-Fiction Scenes Include: Skiers Musicians Basketball Player Hiking Art Babysitting Mechanics Friends Salesman Accident Garden Skateboarding Science Parking Lot and Aliens (fiction) Can be used individually or with whole groups for journal writing, writing text evidence based on visual clues, on-demand writing prompts, writing reader's theater/plays, practice grammar skills, spelling, vocabulary, and more.

$2.50

Writing S.O.A.P: Aristotles 5+ Paragraph Persuasive Essay

By Beth Hammett

Based on Ray Salazaar's Article, "If You Teach the 5-Paragraph Essay--Stop It", uses College Board and Common Core Standards to guide students through building a well-written persuasive essay. Whether 5-paragraphs or 50-pages,the format works for fact or research based papers. Includes Chart Checklist Definitions Writing Guides Examples Peer workshopping component Extra Resources: Links to Sample Essays... 16 interactive slides to guide students through the research writing process: thesis writing, working with and using background information, evidence supported facts/research, writing an effective conclusion. Helps build critical thinking and writing skills. Can be used with G/T, Pre-AP, AP, developmental/entry college level courses. Everything needed to produce a well-written, researched essay.

$2.50