1 Personal Narrative Do I write about a real event in my life? Do I tell the events in time order? Does the narrative have a beginning? Does the narrative have a middle? Does the narrative have an ending? Do I use the words I, me, we, and us? Do I use colorful adjectives? Do I use time words? Do my sentences include strong verbs? Is my paper neat? Do I use the same margins and spacing throughout? Do I include photos or illustrations? Grade 3, Chapter 1
2 How-to Article Do I include ideas in logical step-by-step order? Does the article have a clear purpose stated in the introduction? Does the article have a complete What You Need list? Does the article have detailed, accurate instructions in the body? Does the article have a summarizing conclusion? Are many sentences commands? Did I use compound words correctly? Do I use the four kinds of sentences? Are the steps complete sentences? Is my article neat? Do I use consistent margins and spacing? Are the instructional graphics easy to read? Grade 3, Chapter 2
3 Descriptions Do I have a sharp, clear focus on the topic? Do I include details that improve the description? Do I have a beginning that names the topic? Do I have a middle that connects one idea to the next? Do I sum up my ideas in an ending? Do I use space order? Does my tone show how I feel about the topic? Do I use sensory words? Do I use well-chosen synonyms? Do I vary my sentence lengths? Do I use compound subjects and objects? Is my paper neat? Do I use consistent margins and spacing? Grade 3, Chapter 3
4 Personal Letter Do I focus on my purpose for writing? Do I include a heading that gives my address and the date? Do I include a greeting that begins with Dear and the reader s name? Does the body share my ideas? Do I end with a closing and my signature? Does my personality shine through? Do I use everyday words? Do I use different kinds of sentences, including those with compound subjects? Do I use neat handwriting or typing? Do I have consistent margins and spacing? Grade 3, Chapter 4
5 Book Reports Did I focus on the book? Do I have a beginning that names the title, author, characters, and setting? Does the middle describe the main events in time order? Does the ending sum up my opinion of the book? Does my voice seem lively and confident? Do I use carefully chosen adjectives? Do I use different kinds of sentences, including those with compound predicates? Does my report look neat? Do I use consistent margins and spacing? Voyages in English Grade 5 Grade 3, Chapter 5
6 Persuasive Writing Do I focus on one viewpoint for my topic? Does the piece convince readers to share my viewpoint? Are my reasons backed by research? Do I have a beginning that tells my position? Do I have a middle with reasons that support my position? Do I have an ending that summarizes my position? Do I use a persuasive voice? Do I use opinion words such as should, ought, must, or believe? Do I use a variety of sentences, including compound sentences? Is my paper neat? Do I use consistent spacing and margins? Grade 3, Chapter 6
7 Creative Writing Realistic Fiction Does my story have realistic characters and events? Is there a beginning that introduces the characters and setting? Is there a middle that describes a problem or situation? Is there an ending that solves the problem or brings the situation to a close? Are the events told in time order? Do I use dialogue with informal language for a natural voice? Do I use vivid words? Do I use a variety of sentences, including dialogue to move the story along? Is my story neat? Do I use consistent margins and spacing? Grade 3, Chapter 7
8 Research Report Do I focus on one topic? Do I give factual information supported by research I gathered as notes? Does the report have an introduction that includes a topic sentence? Does the report have a body that includes ideas supported by facts? Does the report have a summarizing conclusion? Is my voice confident? Do I use formal language? Do I use different kinds of sentences with different lengths? Is my research report neat? Are my margins and spacing consistent? Grade 3, Chapter 8
9 Expository Writing Does my article have a clear focus on one topic? Does my article contain factual information supported by research or personal knowledge? Do I have an interesting introduction with a clear main idea? Is there a body that includes information that supports the main idea? Is there a conclusion that summarizes the article s main idea? Do I use a direct, clear voice free of strong emotion and opinion? Do I use and define words specific to this topic? Do I use simple, compound, and complex sentences? Do I use linking words and phrases to show how ideas are related? Is my article easy to read typed or neatly handwritten? Grade 3, Chapter 9
10 Biographical Writing Do I share an interesting and true story about a real person? Do I include facts about the subject s actions, words, thoughts, and feelings? Do I have a clear beginning, middle, and end? Do I have the story in chronological order? Do I use a formal tone? Do I use abstract nouns? Do I use nonliteral language? Do I use shades of meaning? Do I use of words and phrases that show time order? Do I use correct spelling, punctuation, and capitalization? Is my paper neat? Do I use the same margins and spacing throughout? Grade 3, Chapter 10
11 Poetry Do I focus on one favorite place? Do I organize my ideas into stanzas? Do I organize lines to show a consistent rhythm? Do I express the tone or mood of my poem through various poetry elements, such as rhythm, rhyme, and meter? Do I use sensory details? Do I correctly use adjectives and adverbs that compare? Do I use poetic techniques, such as repetition, similes, metaphors, onomatopoeia, and personification? Do I use words that rhyme if it is a rhyming poem? Do the lines, sentences, and stanzas flow? Do I use correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation? neatness consistent margins and spacing Grade 3, Chapter 11