literary essay 2nd grade

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Writing a second grade essay

In elementary school, children need to compose four kinds of passages:

• Short responses to questions (one or two sentences),
• Long responses to questions (about five sentences or one paragraph),
• Narratives (stories of varying lengths), and
• Essays (single paragraphs to five paragraphs).

The other night I received a call from a father whose second-grade son needed to write an essay on his favorite animal.  The child didn’t know what to do.  I asked the boy on the phone what his favorite animal is.  “Dogs,” he said, not a surprising answer since the boy has grown up with pet dogs.  I asked him why, and he identified several reasons.  I told him he needed to explain his reasons.  He told me that without problem.

I told him that to write the essay he needed to

• First, write a sentence saying that dogs are his favorite animal.
• Second, tell why dogs are his favorite animal, one sentence for each reason. Then he needed to add other sentences explaining why.  The best detail is one that begins with “for example,” I told him.
• Last, end the essay by repeating that dogs are his favorite animal and name the reasons without the details.

Do you understand? I asked.  The boy grumbled in the background, but his father told me that he understood.  We ended the phone conversation.

The next morning, the father texted me the essay below.

I don’t know how much direction the classroom teacher gave this boy.  It seemed like this was one of the first times the student was required to write an essay.  Did the teacher take the students through the organizational process?  Did she show organizational boxes for the student to fill in?  Did she model writing an essay or two or three in class?  Did she explain what information belonged in the first sentence or in the middle sentences or in the conclusion?  I suspect she didn’t since the boy—an A+ student—had no idea when I talked to him.  Yet after a five-minute phone call, he wrote a classic essay (for a second grader).

To be fair, I don’t know the circumstances surrounding this assignment.  Was the teacher a substitute?  Was there a fire drill taking up the time that the teacher wanted to use to preview this assignment?  Was the boy pulled out of class when the teacher  explained the assignment to the class?

I am left to wonder what training this boy’s teacher received to teach writing.  Perhaps, like all too many teachers, not enough.

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100 Fun Writing Prompts for 2nd Grade: Journal Prompts

• Prompts for Writing a Narrative Essay
• Prompts for Writing Informative Essays
• Prompts for Research Writing
• Prompts for 2nd Graders for Humorous Writing
• Prompts for Second Graders for Poetry Writing
• Prompts for 2nd Grade Fiction Writing
• Prompts for Animals for Second Graders
• Prompts for Second Grade for Emotional Writing
• Prompts for Journals for Second Graders
• Prompts for Descriptive Writing for Second Graders

Are your little ones ready to embark on a thrilling writing adventure? We have an exciting opportunity for 2nd graders to showcase their creativity through our 100 creative 2nd Grade Writing Prompts . With these prompts, your child can write about anything their heart desires, from their favorite pet to their dream holiday spot. They can even create their own magical kingdom, travel to space, or invent their own superhero.

“Writing is an exploration. You start from nothing and learn as you go.” – E.L. Doctorow

Incorporating writing prompts into the curriculum has been shown to improve writing fluency, quality, and overall performance, as well as motivation, according to an article published by IJCER . These prompts are a fun and engaging way to help develop their writing skills and spark their imagination. So, let’s encourage our young writers to explore their creative sides and unleash their inner author. Use them for school writing assignments or fun at home. 2nd grade writing prompts offer endless creative possibilities. Let’s look at narrative, informative, research, funny, poetry, fiction, animal, emotion-based, journal, and descriptive writing prompts. So prepare to write your creative ideas.

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More educational resources and worksheets for 2nd graders !

10 Prompts for Writing a Narrative Essay

Here are ten 2nd grade narrative writing prompts that are perfect for 2nd graders:

• Make up a story about a magical adventure you went on with your pet.
• Assume you have a time machine. When and where would you travel? Create a narrative about your experience.
• Write a story about a superhero’s day in life.
• What would your superpower be, and why would you want it? Create a story in which you use your power to save the day.
• Consider yourself a pirate on a treasure hunt. Write a story about your treasure hunt.
• Write a story about a robot’s day in life.
• What animal would you be if you could be any animal, and why? Create a story about your experiences as that animal.
• Write a story about a magical garden you come across.
• Consider the possibility of speaking with anyone in history. Who would you approach, and what would you ask them? Create a story based on your conversation.
• Write a story about an astronaut’s day in life.

10 Prompts for Writing Informative Essays

Opinion writing prompts 2nd grade students to help them express their personal views on various topics. Here are ten Informative essay Writing prompts to try:

• Which animal would you be for a day? Why? Tell your animal adventures.
• Imagine you can fly one morning. Where do you go? See what? Journal about your exciting day.
• What is your favorite summer activity as a kid ? Write a paragraph about your favorite summer activity and why.
• What superpower would you want? Write about rescuing someone with your new power.
• Your favorite educational game . Why is it special? Explain your love in a paragraph.
• Favorite book? Write a book review describing the book and why you liked it.
• Imagine time travel to any historical event. Where do you go? See what? Tell your time-travel story.
• Which celebrity would you like to meet and why? Write to that person about why you admire them and what you would ask if you met them.
• Dream holiday. Where do you go? Do what? Describe your perfect holiday.
• Favorite food? Include ingredients and steps in a recipe.

10 Prompts for Research Writing

Writing topics for 2nd graders can cover a broad range of subjects, from animals and nature to personal learning experiences and cultural traditions. Here are ten research writing prompts that are perfect for 2nd graders:

• Choose an animal you’re interested in and research some facts about it. What does it eat? Where does it live? What are some interesting things about this animal?
• Pick your favorite season and learn about it. What kind of weather happens during this season? What activities can you do during this season?
• Choose a country you’re curious about and discover some facts. What language do they speak? What kind of food do they eat? What are some famous landmarks in that country?
• Learn about different types of plants. What are some common plants in your area? What do plants need to grow?
• Research different types of insects. What do they eat? Where do they live? What is their life cycle like?
• Study the planets in our solar system. What are their names? Which planet is closest to the sun? Which world is the largest?
• Investigate different modes of transportation. What types of vehicles can you think of? How do they move? What is your favorite mode of transportation?
• Learn about a joke that you enjoy. What are the rules? How is the game played? Who are some famous athletes in this sport?
• Choose a historical figure or someone you admire. What did they do that was important? What were their accomplishments?
• Research different types of food. What are some of your favorite foods? Where do they come from? How are they made?

10 Prompts for 2nd Graders for Humorous Writing

Here are ten fun writing prompts for 2nd grade that will get your imagination going!

• Imagine waking up with animal-talking abilities. Write about your new pets’ adventures.
• Write about a silly superhero who turns everything they touch into pizza.
• What pet would you choose and why? Describe life with your new pet.
• If you could have any animal as a pet, What pet would you choose and why? Describe life with your new pet.
• Imagine you woke up in a world made entirely of candy. Write about the adventures you have and the creatures you meet in this sweet new world.
• Write a story about a robot who is terrible at its job but saves the day.
• What would you use it for if you could have any superpower?
• Imagine you were a pirate sailing the seven seas. What adventures would you have, and what treasure would you be searching for?
• Write a story about a talking tree that is always getting into trouble.
• If you could be any character from your favorite book, who would it be and why?

10 Prompts for Second Graders for Poetry Writing

Here are some poetry writing prompts for 2nd grade that will help spark their imagination and creativity:

• Write a haiku about your favorite part of nature. Remember, haikus have three lines with five syllables in the first line, seven in the second, and five in the third.
• Pick your favorite color and write a poem about it. Use descriptive words to explain how the color makes you feel.
• Choose an animal and write an acrostic poem using the letters of the animal’s name. Each line should start with a letter from the title.
• Write a cinquain poem about someone in your family. A cinquain has five lines with a specific number of syllables in each line (2, 4, 6, 8, and 2).
• Write a limerick about your favorite food. A limerick has five lines with a specific rhyming pattern (AABBA).
• Write a free verse poem about a friend. A free verse poem doesn’t have to rhyme, but it should have a clear message or feeling.
• Write a diamante poem about your school. A diamante poem has seven lines that create a diamond shape with specific numbers of syllables in each line.
• Write a poem about the weather. Use descriptive words to compare the temperature to something else.
• Write a quatrain poem about your favorite holiday. A quatrain has four lines with a specific rhyming pattern (ABAB).
• Write a narrative poem about a dream you had. A narrative poem for kids tells a story and has a clear beginning, middle, and end.

10 Prompts for 2nd Grade Fiction Writing

Creative writing prompts 2nd grade students to encourage imaginative storytelling and self-expression. Here are 10 prompts to get their imaginations flowing:

• Your pet dog/cat/rabbit suddenly starts talking! What do they say, and how do you react?
• You discover a magical backyard door leading to a secret world. Describe what you see and do in this new world.
• You wake up one day with 1 Core money. Where do you go, and what do you do?
• Write a story about a lost toy that comes to life and goes on an adventure to find its way back home.
• You find a genie lamp on the beach. What do you wish for, and what happens next?
• Imagine you are a superhero with a special power. Describe your superhero name, costume, and the villain you are fighting against.
• You are the Pirate ship captain. Describe your crew, your treasure, and a daring adventure you go on.
• Write a story about a group of animals that work together to solve a problem.
• Imagine you are the main character in your favorite fairy tale. Rewrite the story with a different ending.
• One day, you can speak to plants. Talk to your favorite plant.

10 Prompts for Animals for Second Graders

Here are some creative animal writing prompts for 2nd grade that they will enjoy:

• Which animal would you be for a day? Why?
• Write about a lost puppy returning home.
• Imagine you are a squirrel gathering food for the winter. Write a diary entry about your day.
• Which wild animal would you pet and why?
• Write a story about a group of animals who work together to build a treehouse.
• Imagine being a bird flying high. Write to your best friend about what you saw.
• If you could talk to any bird, Which bird would you converse with, and what would you say?
• Write a story about a cat who has magical powers.
• Imagine being a dolphin in the ocean. Poemize your life.
• Which zoo animal would you be and why? Write an essay persuading the zookeeper to let you be that animal for a day.

10 Prompts for Second Grade for Emotional Writing

Here are 10 creative 2nd grade writing prompts about emotions for 2nd graders:

• Describe a happy moment. Your activity? With whom? Has it affected you?
• Write a letter to someone you love expressing your love.
• Write about an angry character. What happened? Their anger management?- 
• Imagine going back to a happy memory. Explain why you like that memory.
• Write a poem about peace. It could be a place, person, or activity.
• Recall a scary moment. Describe what happened and how you overcome your fear.
• Write about a sad character. Why? How do they handle emotions?
• Imagine having any emotion for a day. Which feeling and why? Write about it.
• Write about an excited character. What’s exciting? How do they show excitement?
• Think of a time you were proud. Explain how you felt and why?

10 Prompts for Journals for Second Graders

2nd grade journal prompts can encourage students to express their thoughts and emotions through writing.

“Writing prompts are the highway to the creative subconscious.” – Karen Salmansohn

Here are ten 2nd grade journal prompts to inspire your creative Writing:

• Imagine a magic pencil that brings your drawings to life. Why?
• Favorite outdoor activity for kids ? Discuss your favorite exercise and why?
• If you could have any pet worldwide, what would it be and why?
• Write about a proud moment. What made you proud?
• Imagine you are a superhero. How would you help others with your superpower?
• Describe your favorite holiday and why. Family and friend traditions?
• If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?
• Recall a problem-solving experience. Describe the issue and your solution.
• Write a story about a talking fish. What kind of fish is it, and what adventures does it go on?
• Imagine you are a chef. Write about your favorite recipe and how you make it.

Second grade journal prompts can inspire young writers to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. By providing a variety of 2nd grade journal topics, parents and teachers can encourage their students to explore different writing styles and develop their own unique voices.

10 Prompts for Descriptive Writing for Second Graders

Writing ideas for 2nd grade can range from descriptive writing to narrative writing, providing opportunities for skill-building and growth. Here are 10 descriptive writing prompts for second graders to inspire their creativity and imagination:

• Describe your favorite toy in detail. What color is it? What does it feel like? What sounds does it make?
• Imagine you are on a trip to the beach. Describe the sand, the waves, and the sun. How do they make you feel?
• Describe your favorite animal. What does it look like? What does it eat? Where does it live?
• Write a description of your bedroom. What color are the walls? What kind of furniture do you have? What’s on your bed?
• Envision a magical forest. Describe your surroundings. Animals? Any special plants or trees?
• Describe your favorite food. What does it smell like? What does it taste like? What ingredients are in it?
• Imagine you are in a haunted house. Describe the creaky floors, the cobwebs, and the spooky sounds. What do you see?
• Describe your best friend. What do they look like? What do they like to do? What’s their favorite thing to eat?
• Imagine you are in outer space. Describe the planets, stars, and galaxies. What do they look like? What colors do you see?
• Describe your dream vacation. Where would you go? What would you do? What would you see?

How to Assist Second-Grade Students in Developing Writing Skills?

The research paper “The Effect of Creative Writing Prompts on Students’ Written Expression in a Second Grade Classroom” suggests that incorporating writing prompts in the classroom and at home can be an effective strategy to help second-grade students develop their writing skills and foster a love for writing. It is an opportunity to encourage them to express their thoughts and ideas creatively and build their confidence as writers. As parents and teachers, we can utilize this to help our second-graders develop their writing skills and build a passion for writing. 

“Writing is an act of faith, not a trick of grammar.” – E.B. White

Here are a few actionable tips to help your child become an excellent writer using 2nd grade writing prompts.

• Start by teaching the basics of sentence structure, grammar, and punctuation.
• Set realistic goals and gradually increase the difficulty of writing prompts or journal entries to challenge your child’s writing skills.
• Provide constructive feedback to help your child improve their writing skills and boost their confidence.
• Incorporate 2nd grade journal prompts regularly in classroom activities and at home to improve your child’s writing fluency and confidence.

Using these tips and incorporating writing prompts into your child’s learning journey can have a significant impact on their writing performance and motivation. 

Celebrating the Journey of 100 Fun Writing Prompts for 2nd-Grade

As parents and teachers, we can play an essential role in nurturing the writing skills of our 2nd graders. By using 2nd grade writing prompts we can encourage our young writers to express themselves in a creative and thoughtful manner. It’s important to note that writing prompts are not just limited to creative writing, they can also be used to explore various topics and encourage critical thinking. In a recent article published by The New York Times , the benefits of using writing prompts have been highlighted as a tool to motivate and engage students. By incorporating prompts into classroom activities such as a mock debate assignment, teachers can help students develop their writing skills, critical thinking abilities, and overall academic performance. 

“Writing prompts are a great way to stimulate your mind and push your writing to new heights.” – Steve Alcorn

So let’s make writing fun and exciting for our 2nd graders by providing them with a variety of writing prompts, and let’s encourage them to write with passion, curiosity, and creativity. Together, we can help our young writers unlock their full potential and become confident and effective communicators.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How can these prompts help 2nd grade students.

These 2nd grade writing prompts can help students in several ways. They can help students develop their writing skills by giving them a specific topic to write about and encouraging them to use their imagination. They can also help students learn about different topics and express their thoughts and feelings.

How can teachers or parents use these prompts with their students/children?

Teachers or parents can use these prompts as writing assignments for their students/children. They can give the students/children a prompt and ask them to write a story or a paragraph about it. Teachers or parents can also use the prompts as conversation starters to encourage students/children to talk about different topics and practice their speaking skills.

Are there any resources available to accompany these prompts?

Yes, there are many resources available online that can accompany these prompts. For example, teachers or parents can find graphic organizers, writing templates, and other resources that can help students organize their thoughts and ideas.

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How to Teach Narrative Writing in 2nd Grade with Spectacular Results

Teaching narrative writing can be SO fun! But reading student’s personal narratives can get dry after a while. You can only read about so many trips to the pool or vacations where students detail getting to the airport, then their writing ends once they finally arrive in Disney World. Get your students engaged while teaching narrative writing by doing fun, imaginative and personal narratives this year!

Important Concepts:

Students need to recount either one event in detail or a series of events when writing a narrative. One misconception is that the narrative has to have happened to them. It is OKAY to have your students write an imaginative narrative.

Typically, I start by having students write personal narratives, as it is easy for them to recount something that has happened to them. Then, once we have done a few personal narratives, we move to more exciting imaginative topics.

By second grade, students should be able to write a topic sentence, 3-4 event sentences WITH details, and a closing sentence. This means student writing should be anywhere from 5-10 sentences at least. However, many students are ready to write in paragraphs by second grade and should be encouraged to do so by adding more detail sentences to each event.

Challenges:

Students might struggle understanding the difference between an event and a detail. Talk to students about how an event is SOMETHING that happened, and details are the supporting ideas that help tell that story. Details can add dialogue, words from 5 senses, or more explicitly explain certain subjects from their writing.

The Writing Process:

I cannot stress enough the importance of taking your students through the writing process every single week, for every single genre. This involves brainstorming/planning, drafting, revising, editing, publishing, grading and sharing.

Hook/Brainstorm:

Getting students EXCITED can be half the battle during writing. I love to tie all of my writing projects to engaging read alouds and fun topics. You can find my favorite narrative writing companions here.

It is equally important to MODEL each step of the writing process for students. After reading aloud our companion text, I typically will read aloud my model. I also will then model my own plan so students can see what I am looking for when it is their turn to write.

Then, it is time for students to make a plan. Be sure not to skip this phase, it is NOT writing a full draft, but rather jotting down their ideas they are going to write about. They can use bullet points or pictures to gather their ideas, but this should NOT be done in full sentences and should not take longer than 5-10 minutes.

I like to give students two full days to draft for narrative writing. Each week, we focus on a different important skill that needs to be taught during narrative writing. Some skills we focus on are:

• Transition Words • Topic Sentences • Closing Sentences • Adding Details such as adjectives, prepositions, similes, metaphors, etc. • Adding Dialogue • Writing with a problem and a solution

Typically, students write their topic sentence, and first two events and details one day. Then, I have them write their second two events and details, along with the closing on the second day. We focus on the skill of the week, while also reinforcing the other skills that were previously taught.

Revising/Editing:

I spend a lot of time at the beginning of the year setting up a peer editing time that is productive for students. We spend an entire day revising and editing, and I also roam the room and select certain students each week to conference with during this time.

Depending on the length of your writing block, you can either meet with all of your students or rotate through small groups of them each week.

Publish, Grade, Share:

I always have students publish a piece of writing every single week. We add it to our writing portfolios that we take home at the end of the year. When students finish publishing, I have them grade themselves on the rubric. Self-assessment is such a powerful tool for students.

After they self grade, we find time to share each week. This can be partner sharing, author’s chair, sharing with buddies, recording themselves reading or more.

What is your favorite tip for teaching narrative writing? Drop it in the comments below!

Emily - The Mountain Teacher

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Writing Prompts & Topics for 2nd Grade

Incorporating exciting and creative writing prompts into the 2nd grade curriculum can inspire young writers and help them develop their skills. These prompts cover a range of topics, from narrative and informative writing to poetry and fiction. By engaging 2nd graders with these prompts, educators can encourage their imagination, foster creativity, and support language arts development.

Key Takeaways:

• Writing prompts offer a valuable tool for 2nd graders to enhance their writing skills.
• Engaging prompts can spark creativity and enable self-expression.
• By exploring a variety of writing topics, students can develop storytelling abilities.
• Creative writing prompts allow students to have fun while expanding their language arts skills.
• Providing prompts about animals can help develop descriptive and narrative writing abilities.

Table of Contents

Narrative Writing Prompts for 2nd Grade

Engage your 2nd grade students in the exciting world of storytelling with these captivating narrative writing prompts. These prompts are designed to inspire creativity, develop storytelling skills, and make writing an enjoyable experience for young writers. Encourage your students to let their imaginations run wild as they craft unique and fascinating stories.

• Imagine a magical adventure with a pet. What would happen if your pet suddenly gained magical powers? Write a story about the adventures you would have together.
• Travel through time with a time machine. If you could travel back in time or visit the future, where would you go? Write a story about your time-traveling adventure.
• Create a story about a superhero’s day. Imagine what it would be like to have superpowers. Write a story about a day in the life of a superhero.
• Write about a mysterious object found in your backyard. What is the object? Where did it come from? What does it do? Use your imagination to create an intriguing story.
• Describe a day in the life of a talking animal. Pick an animal and imagine what it would be like if it could talk. Write a story about the adventures and challenges this talking animal faces.

“Imagination is the key to unlocking the extraordinary world of storytelling.”

These narrative writing prompts for 2nd grade encourage students to think creatively, develop their storytelling skills, and have fun with their writing. By exploring magical adventures, time travel, superheroes, mysterious objects, and talking animals, students will unleash their imagination and create captivating stories.

Informative Writing Prompts for 2nd Grade

Foster your 2nd grade students’ research and informational writing skills with these engaging and educational writing prompts. Encourage them to choose a topic of interest, such as animals, seasons, or countries, and guide them towards conducting research to gather facts on their chosen subject. These informative prompts provide a structured framework for students to develop their research skills, expand their knowledge, and learn how to present information in an organized and engaging way.

Researching Animals

Encourage students to explore the fascinating world of animals through their writing. Have them choose an animal they find interesting and guide them through the research process. Ask them to gather facts about the animal’s habitat, diet, physical characteristics, and any unique behaviors. Then, have them use these facts to write an informative essay that describes the animal in detail.

Discovering Seasons

Teach students about the different seasons and the changes they bring by assigning them a season to research. Ask them to gather information about the weather, activities, and natural phenomena associated with that season. Prompt them to write an informative piece highlighting the unique characteristics and features of their chosen season.

Exploring Countries

Engage students in learning about different countries and cultures by assigning them a country to research. Encourage them to explore its geography, landmarks, traditions, and cuisine. Have students write an informative essay sharing interesting facts and details about their chosen country.

Researching and writing about different topics not only helps 2nd graders develop essential research skills, but also expands their knowledge and fosters a love for learning.

By integrating informative writing prompts into the 2nd grade curriculum, you can empower students to take a deep dive into various subjects, develop their research skills, and strengthen their ability to present information in an organized and engaging manner. These prompts not only enhance their writing abilities but also nurture their curiosity and critical thinking.

Creative Writing Prompts for 2nd Grade

Spark your 2nd grade students’ imaginations with these creative writing prompts. By encouraging them to explore talking animals, magical worlds, and superhero adventures, these prompts provide the perfect opportunity for students to develop their storytelling skills and have fun with their writing.

Here are some imaginative prompts to get your young writers inspired:

• Create a story about an animal that can talk. What adventures would you have together?
• Imagine you discover a secret door in your house that leads to a magical world. Describe what you find and the adventures you have there.
• If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Write a story about a day in the life of a superhero with that superpower.
• Write a poem about a day at the beach. Use descriptive language to paint a picture with your words.
• Imagine you find a magical object that grants three wishes. What would you wish for, and how would your wishes change your life?

These prompts encourage students to think outside the box, let their imaginations soar, and develop their creative writing abilities. By incorporating these prompts into your classroom, you’ll inspire your 2nd graders to write captivating stories and explore the endless possibilities of their own creativity.

Comparing the benefits of creative writing prompts for 2nd grade

Animal writing prompts for 2nd grade.

Engage your 2nd grade students with animal-themed writing prompts that will spark their creativity and improve their writing skills. These prompts encourage students to think imaginatively and explore the fascinating world of animals. Whether they imagine themselves as a different animal or write stories about the lives of their favorite creatures, these prompts are sure to inspire captivating and descriptive writing.

1. Imagine Being a Different Animal

Encourage your students to step into the shoes (or paws) of a different animal. They can choose any animal they find intriguing, whether it’s a lion, a dolphin, or a butterfly. Ask them to describe what it would be like to live as that animal. What would their daily routine look like? How would they communicate and interact with other animals? This prompt helps students practice descriptive writing and expands their understanding of different species.

2. Animal Adventure Stories

Challenge your students to write captivating adventure stories about their favorite animal. They can explore the animal’s natural habitat, its interactions with other animals, and the challenges it faces in its daily life. Encourage them to create imaginative plots and engaging characters while incorporating factual information about the animal’s behavior and characteristics. This prompt allows students to develop both their research skills and their storytelling abilities.

3. Animal Superheroes

Unleash your students’ creativity by prompting them to create animal superheroes. They can invent new creatures or give superpowers to existing animals. Ask them to write stories about these animal superheroes using their unique abilities to solve problems, help others, or save the day. This prompt encourages imaginative writing and allows students to explore the concept of superheroes from a fresh and animal-focused perspective.

Examples of Animal Superheroes: A fearless turtle with the power of invisibility, protecting its fellow animals from danger. A wise owl with the ability to communicate with other animals and solve mysteries. A quick and agile cheetah that uses its speed to rescue endangered animals.

4. Endangered Animal Awareness

Raise your students’ awareness about endangered species and conservation efforts by assigning writing prompts related to endangered animals. Ask them to research and write informative essays about specific endangered species, highlighting the reasons for their decline and possible solutions to protect them. This prompt not only improves their research skills but also encourages them to take an interest in environmental issues and the importance of protecting biodiversity.

Writing prompts and topics for 2nd grade are essential tools in fostering creativity, building writing skills , and engaging students in the writing process. By incorporating a variety of prompts , teachers can inspire young minds , encourage self-expression , and support the development of language arts skills.

With these prompts, 2nd grade students have the opportunity to explore their imagination and develop their storytelling abilities . By delving into different genres like narrative, informative, and creative writing, they can unleash their creativity and expand their writing horizons.

Writing prompts also play a crucial role in helping students gain confidence in their writing abilities. As they engage with various topics and ideas, they learn how to express their thoughts and ideas more effectively, creating a solid foundation for future writing endeavors.

So, whether it’s writing about their favorite animal, describing an adventurous journey, or inventing a delightful tale, these writing prompts provide the perfect platform for 2nd graders to enhance their writing skills, explore their interests, and embark on exciting literary adventures.

What are 2nd grade writing prompts?

2nd grade writing prompts are engaging exercises or topics given to students to inspire and guide their writing. These prompts can cover various genres, such as narrative, informative, or creative writing, and are designed to develop their writing skills while encouraging imagination and creativity.

How can narrative writing prompts benefit 2nd grade students?

Narrative writing prompts for 2nd grade help students improve their storytelling skills while having fun with their writing. By imagining magical adventures with pets, time-traveling with a time machine, or creating stories about superheroes, students can develop their creativity and narrative abilities.

What are informative writing prompts for 2nd grade?

Informative writing prompts encourage 2nd grade students to research a topic of interest, such as animals, seasons, or countries, to gather facts and write informative essays. These prompts foster research skills, expand knowledge, and teach students how to present information in an organized and engaging way.

How do creative writing prompts benefit 2nd grade students?

Creative writing prompts spark imagination and creativity in 2nd grade students. By encouraging them to imagine talking animals, magical worlds, or superhero adventures, these prompts allow students to explore their creativity, develop storytelling skills, and have fun with their writing.

Why are animal writing prompts beneficial for 2nd grade students?

Animal writing prompts provide an opportunity for 2nd grade students to enhance their writing skills while expanding their knowledge of the animal kingdom. By imagining being a different animal or writing stories about animals’ lives, students can develop descriptive and narrative writing skills.

How do writing prompts and topics benefit 2nd grade students?

Writing prompts and topics for 2nd grade are valuable tools for fostering creativity, building writing skills , and engaging students in the writing process. By incorporating a variety of prompts , teachers can inspire young minds , encourage self-expression , and support the development of language arts skills.

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Common Core State Standards Initiative

English Language Arts Standards » Reading: Literature » Grade 2

Standards in this strand:, key ideas and details:, craft and structure:, integration of knowledge and ideas:, range of reading and level of text complexity:.

• Key Design Consideration
• Students Who are College and Career Ready in Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening, & Language
• How to Read the Standards
• College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards for Reading
• College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards for Writing
• College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards for Speaking and Listening
• College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards for Language
• Introduction for K-5
• Kindergarten
• Introduction for 6-12
• Grade 11-12
• Introduction
• Language Progressive Skills
• Measuring Text Complexity: Three Factors
• Range of Text Types for K-5
• Texts Illustrating the Complexity, Quality, & Range of Student Reading K-5
• Staying on Topic Within a Grade & Across Grades
• Range of Text Types for 6-12
• Texts Illustrating the Complexity, Quality, & Range of Student Reading 6-12
• English Language Arts Appendix A
• English Language Arts Appendix B
• English Language Arts Appendix C

Reading Worksheets, Spelling, Grammar, Comprehension, Lesson Plans

2nd Grade CCSS: Reading: Literature

For second graders, this Common Core area helps students gain mastery of the deeper tasks involved in reading a fictional text like a storybook or poem. No matter what they are reading, the standards require students to increase the complexity in the texts they read and deepen their understanding of the connections within and between texts. Among the complete standards for this grade, second graders will be asked to: recount stories from diverse cultures, understand how alliteration, rhyme and repeated lines work in stories, songs and poems, understand basic story structure and illustrations, recognize how characters react to events in stories and the different points of view and voice among characters, read grade appropriate literature.

Mother’s Day Acrostic Poem

A fun Mother’s Day acrostic poems for students!

Acrostic Poetry Worksheet Activity: Write It!

Here’s a great prompt for writing acrostic poetry.

Aesop: Put the Events in Order

Aesop was a Greek writer who wrote stories called fables. A fable is a story that gives a lesson at the end. Students read through a fable and put the events in order.

Christmas Acrostic Poem Activity

See what your students come up with when you hand out this worksheet and have them write an acrostic poem about Christmas.

Classic Literature: The Rootabaga Stories

This classic literature set focuses on The Rootabaga Stories which was written by Carl Sandburg in 1922. The set includes several different worksheets that help students practice reading comprehension skills, vocabulary and more.

Draw the Character: The Kitten

Learning how to describe characters can be fun. In this activity, students will read a short paragragh and then draw a picture that matches the description.

Draw the Character: The Man in the Room

This activity asks students to read a paragraph about a man in the room. They will then try to draw the character using the information from the paragraph.

Earth Day Acrostic Poem

A fun acrostic poem using the word, “earth”. An engaging activity for students in the early elementary grades.

Fourth of July Acrostic Poem

Bring some fun into the classroom with this Acrostic Poem activity for the Fourth of July!

Plot Actions Helper

Starting at the top of the castle, students write the first action in the story. Below that they write the second action, then the third, and then the fourth.

Spring Acrostic Poem

Students practice their creativity with this fun acrostic poem using the word “SPRING”.

Thanksgiving Acrostic Poem

T is for thankful. H is for helping. Print out this free worksheet for your students! Have them write their own acrostic poem using the word THANKS.

Who Is a Character?

In this activity, students read the sentence and then circle the word that describes the character.

Write an Acrostic Poem

This acrostic poem worksheet will introduce your youngster to poetry!

A Child’s Garden of Verses: The Moon

Studying certain authors is a great way to understand the different kinds of writings. Robert Louis Stevenson was one of the most versatile writers. In this free worksheet, students will learn about his writing The Moon. When you print it out, they will also be able to complete the activities to go along with it.

Adjectives and Alliteration

Alliteration is where two or more words start with the same sound. Here is an example: a happy house. In this Parts of Speech Workheet, students will be asked to change an adjective or noun in each phrase in order to make the phrase an alliteration. This activity is easy to print for both in home or classroom use!

Adventures With Alliteration! Adjectives

Alliterations with adjectives are admittedly an adventure!

Adventures With Alliteration! Nouns

Time to tackle the terrific alliteration!

Adventures With Alliteration! Verbs

Verbs are very versatile, especially in amazing alliterations!

Alliteration Adventure

This worksheet is all about alliteration. Students write a list of words for a specific letter, then write three sentences using the words on the list.

How to Write a Good English Literature Essay

By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)

How do you write a good English Literature essay? Although to an extent this depends on the particular subject you’re writing about, and on the nature of the question your essay is attempting to answer, there are a few general guidelines for how to write a convincing essay – just as there are a few guidelines for writing well in any field.

We at Interesting Literature  call them ‘guidelines’ because we hesitate to use the word ‘rules’, which seems too programmatic. And as the writing habits of successful authors demonstrate, there is no  one way to become a good writer – of essays, novels, poems, or whatever it is you’re setting out to write. The French writer Colette liked to begin her writing day by picking the fleas off her cat.

Edith Sitwell, by all accounts, liked to lie in an open coffin before she began her day’s writing. Friedrich von Schiller kept rotten apples in his desk, claiming he needed the scent of their decay to help him write. (For most student essay-writers, such an aroma is probably allowed to arise in the writing-room more organically, over time.)

We will address our suggestions for successful essay-writing to the average student of English Literature, whether at university or school level. There are many ways to approach the task of essay-writing, and these are just a few pointers for how to write a better English essay – and some of these pointers may also work for other disciplines and subjects, too.

Of course, these guidelines are designed to be of interest to the non-essay-writer too – people who have an interest in the craft of writing in general. If this describes you, we hope you enjoy the list as well. Remember, though, everyone can find writing difficult: as Thomas Mann memorably put it, ‘A writer is someone for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people.’ Nora Ephron was briefer: ‘I think the hardest thing about writing is writing.’ So, the guidelines for successful essay-writing:

1. Planning is important, but don’t spend too long perfecting a structure that might end up changing.

This may seem like odd advice to kick off with, but the truth is that different approaches work for different students and essayists. You need to find out which method works best for you.

It’s not a bad idea, regardless of whether you’re a big planner or not, to sketch out perhaps a few points on a sheet of paper before you start, but don’t be surprised if you end up moving away from it slightly – or considerably – when you start to write.

Often the most extensively planned essays are the most mechanistic and dull in execution, precisely because the writer has drawn up a plan and refused to deviate from it. What  is a more valuable skill is to be able to sense when your argument may be starting to go off-topic, or your point is getting out of hand,  as you write . (For help on this, see point 5 below.)

We might even say that when it comes to knowing how to write a good English Literature essay,  practising  is more important than planning.

2. Make room for close analysis of the text, or texts.

Whilst it’s true that some first-class or A-grade essays will be impressive without containing any close reading as such, most of the highest-scoring and most sophisticated essays tend to zoom in on the text and examine its language and imagery closely in the course of the argument. (Close reading of literary texts arises from theology and the analysis of holy scripture, but really became a ‘thing’ in literary criticism in the early twentieth century, when T. S. Eliot, F. R. Leavis, William Empson, and other influential essayists started to subject the poem or novel to close scrutiny.)

Close reading has two distinct advantages: it increases the specificity of your argument (so you can’t be so easily accused of generalising a point), and it improves your chances of pointing up something about the text which none of the other essays your marker is reading will have said. For instance, take In Memoriam  (1850), which is a long Victorian poem by the poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson about his grief following the death of his close friend, Arthur Hallam, in the early 1830s.

When answering a question about the representation of religious faith in Tennyson’s poem  In Memoriam  (1850), how might you write a particularly brilliant essay about this theme? Anyone can make a general point about the poet’s crisis of faith; but to look closely at the language used gives you the chance to show  how the poet portrays this.

For instance, consider this stanza, which conveys the poet’s doubt:

A solid and perfectly competent essay might cite this stanza in support of the claim that Tennyson is finding it increasingly difficult to have faith in God (following the untimely and senseless death of his friend, Arthur Hallam). But there are several ways of then doing something more with it. For instance, you might get close to the poem’s imagery, and show how Tennyson conveys this idea, through the image of the ‘altar-stairs’ associated with religious worship and the idea of the stairs leading ‘thro’ darkness’ towards God.

In other words, Tennyson sees faith as a matter of groping through the darkness, trusting in God without having evidence that he is there. If you like, it’s a matter of ‘blind faith’. That would be a good reading. Now, here’s how to make a good English essay on this subject even better: one might look at how the word ‘falter’ – which encapsulates Tennyson’s stumbling faith – disperses into ‘falling’ and ‘altar’ in the succeeding lines. The word ‘falter’, we might say, itself falters or falls apart.

That is doing more than just interpreting the words: it’s being a highly careful reader of the poetry and showing how attentive to the language of the poetry you can be – all the while answering the question, about how the poem portrays the idea of faith. So, read and then reread the text you’re writing about – and be sensitive to such nuances of language and style.

The best way to  become attuned to such nuances is revealed in point 5. We might summarise this point as follows: when it comes to knowing how to write a persuasive English Literature essay, it’s one thing to have a broad and overarching argument, but don’t be afraid to use the  microscope as well as the telescope.

3. Provide several pieces of evidence where possible.

Many essays have a point to make and make it, tacking on a single piece of evidence from the text (or from beyond the text, e.g. a critical, historical, or biographical source) in the hope that this will be enough to make the point convincing.

‘State, quote, explain’ is the Holy Trinity of the Paragraph for many. What’s wrong with it? For one thing, this approach is too formulaic and basic for many arguments. Is one quotation enough to support a point? It’s often a matter of degree, and although one piece of evidence is better than none, two or three pieces will be even more persuasive.

After all, in a court of law a single eyewitness account won’t be enough to convict the accused of the crime, and even a confession from the accused would carry more weight if it comes supported by other, objective evidence (e.g. DNA, fingerprints, and so on).

Let’s go back to the example about Tennyson’s faith in his poem  In Memoriam  mentioned above. Perhaps you don’t find the end of the poem convincing – when the poet claims to have rediscovered his Christian faith and to have overcome his grief at the loss of his friend.

You can find examples from the end of the poem to suggest your reading of the poet’s insincerity may have validity, but looking at sources beyond the poem – e.g. a good edition of the text, which will contain biographical and critical information – may help you to find a clinching piece of evidence to support your reading.

And, sure enough, Tennyson is reported to have said of  In Memoriam : ‘It’s too hopeful, this poem, more than I am myself.’ And there we have it: much more convincing than simply positing your reading of the poem with a few ambiguous quotations from the poem itself.

Of course, this rule also works in reverse: if you want to argue, for instance, that T. S. Eliot’s  The Waste Land is overwhelmingly inspired by the poet’s unhappy marriage to his first wife, then using a decent biographical source makes sense – but if you didn’t show evidence for this idea from the poem itself (see point 2), all you’ve got is a vague, general link between the poet’s life and his work.

Show  how the poet’s marriage is reflected in the work, e.g. through men and women’s relationships throughout the poem being shown as empty, soulless, and unhappy. In other words, when setting out to write a good English essay about any text, don’t be afraid to  pile on  the evidence – though be sensible, a handful of quotations or examples should be more than enough to make your point convincing.

4. Avoid tentative or speculative phrasing.

Many essays tend to suffer from the above problem of a lack of evidence, so the point fails to convince. This has a knock-on effect: often the student making the point doesn’t sound especially convinced by it either. This leaks out in the telling use of, and reliance on, certain uncertain  phrases: ‘Tennyson might have’ or ‘perhaps Harper Lee wrote this to portray’ or ‘it can be argued that’.

An English university professor used to write in the margins of an essay which used this last phrase, ‘What  can’t be argued?’

This is a fair criticism: anything can be argued (badly), but it depends on what evidence you can bring to bear on it (point 3) as to whether it will be a persuasive argument. (Arguing that the plays of Shakespeare were written by a Martian who came down to Earth and ingratiated himself with the world of Elizabethan theatre is a theory that can be argued, though few would take it seriously. We wish we could say ‘none’, but that’s a story for another day.)

Many essay-writers, because they’re aware that texts are often open-ended and invite multiple interpretations (as almost all great works of literature invariably do), think that writing ‘it can be argued’ acknowledges the text’s rich layering of meaning and is therefore valid.

Whilst this is certainly a fact – texts are open-ended and can be read in wildly different ways – the phrase ‘it can be argued’ is best used sparingly if at all. It should be taken as true that your interpretation is, at bottom, probably unprovable. What would it mean to ‘prove’ a reading as correct, anyway? Because you found evidence that the author intended the same thing as you’ve argued of their text? Tennyson wrote in a letter, ‘I wrote In Memoriam  because…’?

But the author might have lied about it (e.g. in an attempt to dissuade people from looking too much into their private life), or they might have changed their mind (to go back to the example of  The Waste Land : T. S. Eliot championed the idea of poetic impersonality in an essay of 1919, but years later he described  The Waste Land as ‘only the relief of a personal and wholly insignificant grouse against life’ – hardly impersonal, then).

Texts – and their writers – can often be contradictory, or cagey about their meaning. But we as critics have to act responsibly when writing about literary texts in any good English essay or exam answer. We need to argue honestly, and sincerely – and not use what Wikipedia calls ‘weasel words’ or hedging expressions.

So, if nothing is utterly provable, all that remains is to make the strongest possible case you can with the evidence available. You do this, not only through marshalling the evidence in an effective way, but by writing in a confident voice when making your case. Fundamentally, ‘There is evidence to suggest that’ says more or less the same thing as ‘It can be argued’, but it foregrounds the  evidence rather than the argument, so is preferable as a phrase.

This point might be summarised by saying: the best way to write a good English Literature essay is to be honest about the reading you’re putting forward, so you can be confident in your interpretation and use clear, bold language. (‘Bold’ is good, but don’t get too cocky, of course…)

5. Read the work of other critics.

This might be viewed as the Holy Grail of good essay-writing tips, since it is perhaps the single most effective way to improve your own writing. Even if you’re writing an essay as part of school coursework rather than a university degree, and don’t need to research other critics for your essay, it’s worth finding a good writer of literary criticism and reading their work. Why is this worth doing?

Published criticism has at least one thing in its favour, at least if it’s published by an academic press or has appeared in an academic journal, and that is that it’s most probably been peer-reviewed, meaning that other academics have read it, closely studied its argument, checked it for errors or inaccuracies, and helped to ensure that it is expressed in a fluent, clear, and effective way.

If you’re serious about finding out how to write a better English essay, then you need to study how successful writers in the genre do it. And essay-writing is a genre, the same as novel-writing or poetry. But why will reading criticism help you? Because the critics you read can show you how to do all of the above: how to present a close reading of a poem, how to advance an argument that is not speculative or tentative yet not over-confident, how to use evidence from the text to make your argument more persuasive.

And, the more you read of other critics – a page a night, say, over a few months – the better you’ll get. It’s like textual osmosis: a little bit of their style will rub off on you, and every writer learns by the examples of other writers.

As T. S. Eliot himself said, ‘The poem which is absolutely original is absolutely bad.’ Don’t get precious about your own distinctive writing style and become afraid you’ll lose it. You can’t  gain a truly original style before you’ve looked at other people’s and worked out what you like and what you can ‘steal’ for your own ends.

We say ‘steal’, but this is not the same as saying that plagiarism is okay, of course. But consider this example. You read an accessible book on Shakespeare’s language and the author makes a point about rhymes in Shakespeare. When you’re working on your essay on the poetry of Christina Rossetti, you notice a similar use of rhyme, and remember the point made by the Shakespeare critic.

This is not plagiarising a point but applying it independently to another writer. It shows independent interpretive skills and an ability to understand and apply what you have read. This is another of the advantages of reading critics, so this would be our final piece of advice for learning how to write a good English essay: find a critic whose style you like, and study their craft.

If you’re looking for suggestions, we can recommend a few favourites: Christopher Ricks, whose  The Force of Poetry is a tour de force; Jonathan Bate, whose  The Genius of Shakespeare , although written for a general rather than academic audience, is written by a leading Shakespeare scholar and academic; and Helen Gardner, whose  The Art of T. S. Eliot , whilst dated (it came out in 1949), is a wonderfully lucid and articulate analysis of Eliot’s poetry.

James Wood’s How Fiction Works  is also a fine example of lucid prose and how to close-read literary texts. Doubtless readers of  Interesting Literature will have their own favourites to suggest in the comments, so do check those out, as these are just three personal favourites. What’s your favourite work of literary scholarship/criticism? Suggestions please.

Much of all this may strike you as common sense, but even the most commonsensical advice can go out of your mind when you have a piece of coursework to write, or an exam to revise for. We hope these suggestions help to remind you of some of the key tenets of good essay-writing practice – though remember, these aren’t so much commandments as recommendations. No one can ‘tell’ you how to write a good English Literature essay as such.

But it can be learned. And remember, be interesting – find the things in the poems or plays or novels which really ignite your enthusiasm. As John Mortimer said, ‘The only rule I have found to have any validity in writing is not to bore yourself.’

Finally, good luck – and happy writing!

And if you enjoyed these tips for how to write a persuasive English essay, check out our advice for how to remember things for exams  and our tips for becoming a better close reader of poetry .

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30 thoughts on “How to Write a Good English Literature Essay”

You must have taken AP Literature. I’m always saying these same points to my students.

I also think a crucial part of excellent essay writing that too many students do not realize is that not every point or interpretation needs to be addressed. When offered the chance to write your interpretation of a work of literature, it is important to note that there of course are many but your essay should choose one and focus evidence on this one view rather than attempting to include all views and evidence to back up each view.

Reblogged this on SocioTech'nowledge .

Not a bad effort…not at all! (Did you intend “subject” instead of “object” in numbered paragraph two, line seven?”

Oops! I did indeed – many thanks for spotting. Duly corrected ;)

That’s what comes of writing about philosophy and the subject/object for another post at the same time!

Reblogged this on Scribing English .

• Pingback: Recommended Resource: Interesting Literature.com & how to write an essay | Write Out Loud

Great post on essay writing! I’ve shared a post about this and about the blog site in general which you can look at here: http://writeoutloudblog.com/2015/01/13/recommended-resource-interesting-literature-com-how-to-write-an-essay/

All of these are very good points – especially I like 2 and 5. I’d like to read the essay on the Martian who wrote Shakespeare’s plays).

Reblogged this on Uniqely Mustered and commented: Dedicate this to all upcoming writers and lovers of Writing!

I shall take this as my New Year boost in Writing Essays. Please try to visit often for corrections,advise and criticisms.

Reblogged this on Blue Banana Bread .

Reblogged this on worldsinthenet .

All very good points, but numbers 2 and 4 are especially interesting.

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Reblogged this on rainniewu .

Reblogged this on pixcdrinks .

• Pingback: How to Write a Good English Essay? Interesting Literature | EngLL.Com

Great post. Interesting infographic how to write an argumentative essay http://www.essay-profy.com/blog/how-to-write-an-essay-writing-an-argumentative-essay/

Reblogged this on DISTINCT CHARACTER and commented: Good Tips

Reblogged this on quirkywritingcorner and commented: This could be applied to novel or short story writing as well.

Reblogged this on rosetech67 and commented: Useful, albeit maybe a bit late for me :-)

• Pingback: How to Write a Good English Essay | georg28ang

such a nice pieace of content you shared in this write up about “How to Write a Good English Essay” going to share on another useful resource that is

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A well rounded summary on all steps to keep in mind while starting on writing. There are many new avenues available though. Benefit from the writing options of the 21st century from here, i loved it! http://authenticwritingservices.com

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How to Teach Elaboration in Writing

Let’s start with identifying what elaboration is in terms of writing.  Just so we’re clear.  Elaboration is the process of presenting and developing an idea.   Elaboration is also adding more detail to better explain what has already been said.  Elaboration looks different depending on the genre in which you are writing.

• In Narrative , elaboration means to be more descriptive and help the reader feel like they are in the story.
• In Informational , elaboration means to explain the main idea in depth using key details that also describe or develop the topic.
• In Opinion , elaboration means to really dig into the reasons that support your opinion and support your opinion.

For the purpose of this blog post, I am going to focus on elaboration in reference to Informational and Opinion writing.

What is the difference between evidence and elaboration?

Another great way to think about the relationship between evidence and elaboration is that the evidence is WHAT is important.  The elaboration is WHY it is important.

One common misconception I want to get out of the way is that evidence and elaboration are two different things.  This isn’t quite true.  Elaboration says more about the evidence.  However, depending on the writing task, there could be more evidence that elaborates on a prior piece of evidence.

Part of what makes writing so difficult is that it is SO abstract.  By bringing the abstract to concrete, we make it accessible for our students.  This activity is a fun (and yummy!) way to help your students brush up on their elaboration skills.

1//  Students will need their writing notebook and a piece of candy.   Starbursts are always a big win! If sugar or school policy is an issue, then choose a favorite healthy snack – goldfish, pretzels…it really doesn’t matter because you and your students are going to turn the ordinary into extraordinary.

2// Write a topic sentence at the top of their notebook page.   This can be a simple main idea sentence.   For example, “Starbursts are a type of candy.”    I suggest you also model this using your writing notebook or chart paper.

3//  Next, write a sentence that gives factual information supporting this.  Explain what makes Starburst a candy.  “They are made from sugar and come in a variety of flavors.”  This is evidence that supports the main idea sentence.

4// Elaborate!  Now, is where we can elaborate and say more about that one piece of evidence. Ask your students these 3 questions:

• Why does it matter?

So what they come in a variety of flavors? Who cares there are different flavors? Why does that even matter?

Invite your students to share their ideas about why different flavors matter. This is the elaboration.  Use this as an overall discussion and brainstorm.  You could be the facilitator of the discussion and have a student recording the ideas on chart paper or even open a Google Doc and display on your overhead to type it quicker. (Plus, you’ll get to hold onto it longer.)  Don’t require students to write anything down just yet – they can, but it’s more important to participate in the discussion and create a buzz.

Use the responses below to get things started if your students have difficulty coming up with ideas:

• People like different flavors.  For example, I do not like cherry – many people love cherry.
• This makes it easier to share with a friend.
• You can trade colors – it becomes a social experience.
• You won’t get bored by tasting the same old flavors all the time.
• You can make it educational by sorting the different colors.
• If you don’t like a certain flavor, then you can give it to someone else.
• You can learn more about your friends by figuring out what flavors they like.
• If you know that you like a certain flavor of the candy, then you might like the actual fruit.  This could lead you to want to eat more fruit.  And that’s healthy.

5// Flash Write!  After students have had a chance to brainstorm ideas as a class, have them flash write for a few minutes to elaborate on their own.  They can use the ideas you came up with together or come up with their own.  Set a timer for 2-3 minutes and tell students to write as much as they can about Starbursts (or your topic). During this time, you can write as well to model that we are all writing right now.  Or you can write for a little bit and then roam the room complimenting writers with words of encouragement. Do not worry about punctuation, spelling, etc.  Just let them write. Also, be on the lookout for examples of student writing to share.  Ask for permission to share their writing and then make a big deal about it! We’ll talk more mentor authors in the classroom below.

•    So, what? 
•    Who cares? 
•    Why does it even matter? 

I like to share these phrases with students to get their attention and also get them thinking about their evidence.  These questions help push the writer to say more about their topic.  With the Starburst activity, we used these questions to think about why do different flavors even matter? This pushed students to think beyond – “oh this is a great candy and it comes in different flavors.”  Now that students understand elaboration more, we can look at specific strategies for elaboration.  These notebook charts are included in my Informational Writing Unit.

• If…Then…
• Imagine That! (Or Imagine This!)
• Good Question
• Opposite Sides
• Call to Action
• This Matters…

I suggest teaching 1-2 elaboration strategies specifically, then have students put a star next to other ones they would like to try.  The notebook charts stay in their notebook so that they have an example of the strategies for future writing.

If your students are having difficulty applying this to their writing, cloze writing is a great way to have students focus on a specific part of the writing. In a cloze exercise, a portion of language is missing and students complete it.  This helps students practice a specific skill without having to worry about all of the other parts of their writing.  This freebie is located in my free resource library.  You can snag the freebie by clicking the link below.  This is part of the freebie that you will find inside the Free Resource Library .

Color coding writing is a great way to help students “see” the different parts of their writing.  The colors you use don’t matter, but be intentional, stay consistent, and use as few colors as possible.  Otherwise, students get overwhelmed and confused.

I use this chart to help students identify the colors.  Then, we use a mentor essay (usually mine) and color code.  Some ways you can do this:

• Use an anchor chart.
• Use a Google Doc, Google Slide, or PowerPoint
• Use colored pencils and your writing notebook, written, or typed essay

You can use color coding while you are teaching or introducing elaboration, but it is also a great way to have students revise their writing.  Having them color code their writing helps them to see what might be missing.  And usually… it’s elaboration. 🙂

This is my favorite way to motivate students, get them excited about writing, and to also show them that they are writers and admired by others.

When you see students doing something specifically well, begin to showcase their work.  And not just their whole essay – but when they are doing something specifically amazing.  I typed these 4th Grade student examples up while teaching elaboration.

This helps other students see that if their peers can do this high-level work, then they can too.  Plus, it’s a way to help them feel more confident in their work.

Another huge benefit for you and your students is that you are curating mentor texts and sentences of writing.  I suggest saving these examples to use for modeling in the future and to have examples for yourself when it’s time to teach specific strategies.

(Side note: I collect student writing in a binder so that I always have examples.  When you see your students doing something well, find a way to keep a copy of it.  Copy student notebooks, have them type it up for you, or make it super easy and snap a picture!)

If you’d like more support when it comes to teaching writing, the TLL Membership might be right up your alley! The TLL Membership includes all of my writing resources including units that walk you step-by-step through the writing process. Click the link below to learn more about the TLL Membership:

Or check out the complete writing units below:

Happy Writing!

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When you need an example written by a student, check out our vast collection of free student models. Scroll through the list, or search for a mode of writing such as “explanatory” or “persuasive.”

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Explanatory writing.

• How Much I Know About Space Explanatory Paragraph
• My Favorite Pet Explanatory Paragraph
• Sweet Spring Explanatory Paragraph

Narrative Writing

• A Happy Day Narrative Paragraph
• My Trip to Mexico Narrative Paragraph

Creative Writing

• Happy Easter Story Paragraph
• Leaf Person Story

Research Writing

• Parrots Report
• If I Were President Explanatory Paragraph
• My Dad Personal Narrative
• The Horrible Day Personal Narrative

Response to Literature

• One Great Book Book Review
• A Fable Story
• Ant Poem Poem
• The Missing Coin Story
• Winter Words Poem
• Horses Report
• Ladybugs Report
• How to Make Boiled Eggs How-To

Persuasive Writing

• Plastic, Paper, or Cloth? Persuasive Paragraph
• The Funny Dance Personal Narrative
• The Sled Run Personal Narrative
• Hello, Spring! Poem
• Cheetahs Report

Business Writing

• Dear Ms. Nathan Email
• My Favorite Place to Go Description
• My Mother Personal Essay
• Rules Personal Essay
• Shadow Fort Description
• Adopting a Pet from the Pound Editorial
• Letter to the Editor Letter to the Editor
• Ann Personal Narrative
• Grandpa, Chaz, and Me Personal Narrative
• Indy’s Life Story Personal Narrative
• Jet Bikes Personal Narrative
• The Day I Took the Spotlight Personal Narrative
• A Story of Survival Book Review
• Chloe’s Day Story
• Did You Ever Look At . . . Poem
• Dreams Poem
• I Am Attean Poem
• Sloppy Joes Poem
• The Civil War Poem
• The Haunted House Story
• The Terror of Kansas Story
• When I Was Upside Down Poem
• Deer Don’t Need to Flee to Stay Trouble-Free! Report
• Height-Challenged German Shepherd Report
• Friendship Definition
• What Really Matters News Feature
• Cheating in America Problem-Solution
• Hang Up and Drive Editorial
• Musical Arts Editorial
• Summer: 15 Days or 2 1/2 Months? Editorial
• A Cowboy's Journal Fictionalized Journal Entry
• Giving Life Personal Narrative
• The Great Paw Paw Personal Narrative
• The Racist Warehouse Personal Narrative
• Limadastrin Poem
• The Best Little Girl in the World Book Review
• How the Stars Came to Be Story
• Linden’s Library Story
• My Backyard Poem
• The Call Poem
• I Am Latvia Research Report
• Mir Pushed the Frontier of Space Research Report
• The Aloha State Research Report
• The Incredible Egg Observation Report
• Unique Wolves Research Report
• Dear Dr. Larson Email

Personal Writing

• A Lesson to Learn Journal
• Caught in the Net Definition
• From Bed Bound to Breaking Boards News Feature
• If Only They Knew Comparison-Contrast
• Save the Elephants Cause-Effect
• Student Entrepreneur Reaches for Dreams of the Sky News Feature
• Internet Plagiarism Problem-Solution
• Mosquito Madness Pet Peeve
• Anticipating the Dream Personal Narrative
• Huddling Together Personal Narrative
• H’s Hickory Chips Personal Narrative
• It’s a Boy! Personal Narrative
• My Greatest Instrument Personal Narrative
• Snapshots Personal Narrative
• Take Me to Casablanca Personal Narrative
• The Boy with Chris Pine Blue Eyes Personal Narrative
• The Climb Personal Narrative
• The House on Medford Avenue Personal Narrative
• Adam’s Train of Ghosts Music Review
• Diary of Gaspard Fictionalized Journal Entry
• My Interpretation of The Joy Luck Club Literary Analysis
• Mama’s Stitches Poem
• The KHS Press Play
• Rosa Parks Research Report
• The Killer Bean Research Report
• Mid-Project Report on History Paper Email
• Vegetarian Lunch Options at Bay High Email

EL Education Curriculum

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• ELA G5:M1:U2:L12

Writing a Literary Essay: Analyzing a Model

In this lesson, daily learning targets, ongoing assessment.

• Technology and Multimedia

Supporting English Language Learners

Universal design for learning, closing & assessments, you are here:.

• ELA Grade 5
• ELA G5:M1:U2

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These are the CCS Standards addressed in this lesson:

• RL.5.10: By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poetry, at the high end of the grades 4-5 text complexity band independently and proficiently.
• RI.5.10: By the end of the year, read and comprehend informational texts, including history/social studies, science, and technical texts, at the high end of the grades 4-5 text complexity band independently and proficiently.
• W.5.2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
• W.5.5: With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.
• I can use the Painted Essay structure to analyze a model. ( W.5.2 , W.5.5 )
• Painted Essay(r) template
• The materials required for the Painted Essay.
• Research reading share (see Independent Reading: Sample Plan).
• The Painted Essay lesson (see supporting materials).
• Red Light, Green Light protocol. See Classroom Protocols.
• Post: Learning targets and applicable anchor charts.

Tech and Multimedia

• Work Time A: Rather than using colored pencils on the displayed model literary essay, consider highlighting or using colored text on a word-processing document.

Supports guided in part by CA ELD Standards 5.I.B.6, 5.II.A.1, and 5.II.A.2

Important points in the lesson itself

• The basic design of this lesson supports ELLs with opportunities to unpack an example of the work they are expected to complete during the remainder of the unit. They are also empowered to use a color-coding system that will help them understand essay structure using visual prompts.
• ELLs may find it challenging to absorb an abundance of information and terminology about essay structure. Think aloud each part while analyzing the model essay to clarify the purpose of each component of the structure. Reassure students that even if they do not understand everything today, they will have plenty of opportunities to work with the concepts throughout the unit and the year.
• In Work Time A, ELLs are invited to participate in a Language Dive conversation (optional). The conversation invites students to unpack complex syntax--or "academic phrases"--as a necessary component of building both literacy and habits of mind. This conversation guides them through the meaning of the structure of the points 1 and 2 statement in the model literary essay. It also provides students with further practice using the language structure from the model literary essay points 1 and 2 statement, and reinforces the subject-predicate structure introduced in Unit 1. Students may draw on this sentence when writing their informational essays later in the unit. A consistent Language Dive routine is critical in helping all students learn how to decipher complex sentences and write their own. In addition, Language Dive conversations may hasten overall English language development for ELLs. Preview the Language Dive Guide and consider how to invite conversation among students to address the questions and goals suggested under each sentence strip chunk (see supporting materials). Select from the questions and goals provided to best meet your students' needs. Prepare the sentence strip chunks for use during the Language Dive (see supporting materials). Consider providing students with a Language Dive log inside a folder to track Language Dive sentences and structures and collate Language Dive note-catchers.

Levels of support:

For lighter support:

• During the Language Dive, challenge students to generate questions about the sentence before asking the prepared questions. Example: "What questions can we ask about this sentence? Let's see if we can answer them together."

For heavier support:

• Create a puzzle of the model literary essay using index cards. Paste each paragraph on different index cards. Use colored index cards according to the established Painted Essay colors. Challenge students to put the paragraph together in the correct order without looking at their papers.
• Multiple Means of Representation (MMR): In this lesson, students analyze a model text. This sets the foundation for them to be able to write their own informational essay. Help students engage with the model essay in multiple ways. During the introduction, color-code the displayed model with the same colors students will use during the Painted Essay exercise. 
• Multiple Means of Action and Expression (MMAE): In the basic structure of this lesson, students get multiple representation cues with the color-coding provided by the Painted Essay(r) template. However, some students may find covering the entire essay in one lesson overwhelming. Consider chunking the explicit instruction for each part of the essay into multiple lessons to provide time for students to comprehend new information.
• Multiple Means of Engagement (MME): Maximize engagement for the informational essay by reminding students that they get to choose. Then they will be able to teach others all about the poet and demonstrate their knowledge.

Key:  Lesson-Specific Vocabulary (L); Text-Specific Vocabulary (T); Vocabulary Used in Writing (W)

• The Painted Essay, literary, compare and contrast, structure (L)
• Literary essay prompt (one per student and one to display)
• Model literary essay (one per student and one to display)
• Vocabulary logs (from Unit 1, Lesson 4; one per student)
• Annotated model literary essay (for teacher reference)
• The Painted Essay(r) template (one per student)
• Paintbrushes (one per student)
• Red, yellow, blue, and green watercolor paint (one set per pair)
• Cups of water (one per pair)
• Painting an Essay lesson plan (for teacher reference)
• Red, yellow, blue, and green colored pencils (one set; for teacher modeling)
• Paper (blank; one per student)
• Informative Writing Checklist (one per student and one to display)
• Language Dive Guide: Model Literary Essay (optional; for ELLs; for teacher reference)
• Blue and red markers (one of each per student)
• Language Dive Note-catcher: Model Literary Essay (one per student)
• Sentence strip chunks: Model Literary Essay (one to display)
• Working to Become Ethical People anchor chart (begun in Unit 1, Lesson 2)
• Independent Reading: Sample Plan ( see the Tools page ; for teacher reference)

Each unit in the 3-5 Language Arts Curriculum has two standards-based assessments built in, one mid-unit assessment and one end of unit assessment. The module concludes with a performance task at the end of Unit 3 to synthesize their understanding of what they accomplished through supported, standards-based writing.

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