7Th GRADE ENGLISH HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS

7 th GRADE ENGLISH HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS Homework is an important part of education. The conscientious completion of homework has a positive impact on a student's success in school. Teachers, students, and parents have the responsibility to work as a team in order to realize the maximum benefit of homework. These 10 simple essay writing steps will guide you through the essay writing process: 1. Research: Begin the essay writing process by researching your topic, making yourself an expert. Utilize the internet, the academic databases, and the library. Take notes and immerse yourself in the words of great thinkers. 2. Analysis: Start analyzing the arguments of the information you're reading. Look for weaknesses of logic, and also strengths. Learning how to write an essay begins by learning how to analyze information written by others. 3. Brainstorming: Your essay will require insight of your own, genuine essay-writing brilliance. Ask yourself a dozen questions and answer them. Meditate with a pen in your hand. Think and think until you come up with original insights to write about. Once you have determined the purpose of your essay, write down some subjects that interest you. 4. Thesis: Pick your best idea and pin it down in a clear assertion that you can write your entire essay around. Your thesis is your main point, summed up in a concise sentence that lets the reader know where you're going, and why. It's practically impossible to write a good essay without a clear thesis. The thesis statement tells the reader what the essay will be about, and what point you, the author, will be making. You know what the essay will be about. That was your topic. Now you must look at your outline or diagram and decide what point you will be making. What do the main ideas and supporting ideas that you listed say about your topic? Your thesis statement will have two parts.  The first part states the topic. o Kenya's Culture o Building a Model Train Set o Public Transportation  The second part states the point of the essay. o has a rich and varied history o takes time and patience o can solve some of our city's most persistent and pressing problems Or in the second part you could simply list the three main ideas you will discuss. o has a long history, blends traditions from several other cultures, and provides a rich heritage. o requires an investment in time, patience, and materials. o helps with traffic congestion, resource management, and the city budget. 5. Outline: Sketch out your essay before writing it out. Use one-line sentences to describe paragraphs, and bullet points to describe what each paragraph will contain. Play with the essay's order. Map out the structure of your argument, and make sure each paragraph is unified. The purpose of an outline or diagram is to put your ideas about the topic on paper, in a moderately organized format. The structure you create here may still change before the essay is complete, so don't agonize over this. When you have finished, you have the basic structure for your essay and are ready to continue. 6. Introduction: Now sit down and write the essay. The introduction should grab the reader's attention, set up the issue, and lead in to your thesis. Your intro is merely a buildup of the issue, a stage of bringing your reader into the essay's argument. Introduction The introduction should be designed to attract the reader's attention and give an idea of the essay's focus.

a) Begin with an attention grabber. The attention grabber you use is up to you, but here are some ideas: o Startling information This information must be true and verifiable, and it doesn't need to be totally new to your readers. It could simply be a pertinent fact that explicitly illustrates the point you wish to make. If you use a piece of startling information, follow it with a sentence or two of elaboration. o Anecdote An anecdote is a story that illustrates a point. Be sure your anecdote is short, to the point, and relevant to your topic. This can be a very effective opener for your essay, but use it carefully. o Dialogue An appropriate dialogue does not have to identify the speakers, but the reader must understand the point you are trying to convey. Use only two or three exchanges between speakers to make your point. Follow dialogue with a sentence or two of elaboration. o Summary Information A few sentences explaining your topic in general terms can lead the reader gently to your thesis. Each sentence should become gradually more specific, until you reach your thesis.

b) If the attention grabber was only a sentence or two, add one or two more sentences that will lead the reader from your opening to your thesis statement.

c) Finish the paragraph with your thesis statement. 7. Paragraphs: Each individual paragraph should be focused on a single idea that supports your thesis. Begin paragraphs with topic sentences, support assertions with evidence, and expound your ideas in the clearest, most sensible way you can. Speak to your reader as if he or she were sitting in front of you. In other words, instead of writing the essay, try talking the essay. In the body of the essay, the topic you have chosen must now be explained, described, or argued. Each main idea that you wrote down in your diagram or outline will become one of the body paragraphs. If you had three or four main ideas, you will have three or four body paragraphs. Each body paragraph will have the same basic structure.

a) Start by writing down one of your main ideas, in sentence form. If your main idea is "reduces freeway congestion," you might say this: Public transportation reduces freeway congestion.

b) Next, write down each of your supporting points for that main idea, but leave four or five lines in between each point.

c) In the space under each point, write down some elaboration for that point. Elaboration can be further description or explanation or discussion. Supporting Point Commuters appreciate the cost savings of taking public transportation rather than driving. Elaboration Less driving time means less maintenance expense, such as oil changes. Of course, less driving time means savings on gasoline as well. In many cases, these savings amount to more than the cost of riding public transportation.

d) If you wish, include a summary sentence for each paragraph. This is not generally needed, however, and such sentences have a tendency to sound stilted, so be cautious about using them. 8. Conclusion: Gracefully exit your essay by making a quick wrap-up sentence, and then end on some memorable thought, perhaps a quotation, or an interesting twist of logic, or some call to action. The conclusion brings closure to the reader, summing up your points or providing a final perspective on your topic. 9. MLA Style: Format your essay according to the correct guidelines for citation. All borrowed ideas and quotations should be correctly cited in the body of your text, followed up with a Works Cited (references) page listing the details of your sources. a) Make sure all authors cited in the body of your essay also appear on the Works Cited page. b) Only quote catchy or memorable phrases or sentences. c) Don't rely too much on the same source. d) Follow up your quotations with commentary, interpretation, or analysis. 10. Language: You're not done writing your essay until you've polished your language by correcting the grammar, making sentences flow, incorporating rhythm, emphasis, adjusting the formality, giving it a level- headed tone, and making other intuitive edits. Proofread until it reads just how you want it to sound. Check your writing! Nothing can substitute for revision of your work. By reviewing what you have done, you can improve weak points that otherwise would be missed. Read and reread your paper.  Does it make logical sense? Leave it for a few hours and then read it again. Does it still make logical sense?  Do the sentences flow smoothly from one another? If not, try to add some words and phrases to help connect them. Transition words, such as "therefore" or "however," sometimes help. Also, you might refer in one sentence to a thought in the previous sentence. This is especially useful when you move from one paragraph to another.  Have you run a spell checker or a grammar checker? These aids cannot catch every error, but they might catch errors that you have missed. Format: The essay should be 3-4 pages in length, type-written, with 1-inch margins on both sides, top, and bottom. The text should be double spaced and in 12-point type. The cover page and the bibliography do not count toward the required number of pages. Students are required to turn in:

1) Cover page

2) Rough draft

3) Final copy

4) Bibliography Plagiarism: As you write this paper for this class, be careful not to plagiarize any of your sources. Remember that plagiarism, whether intentional or unintentional, whether blatant or merely inappropriate paraphrasing, will not be tolerated in this class. If you have any questions as you prepare your assignments, feel free to ask for my advice. Essays will be graded according to the following six traits of writing: Ideas/Content: This trait addresses the writer’s theme along with the supporting details that develop and enrich that theme. Regardless of the type or purpose of writing, ideas should be clear, complete, and well-developed. One clear focus should be apparent, but development and details should be thorough, balanced, and well suited to audience and purpose. Organization: This trait addresses the structure of a piece of writing including the thread of central meaning and the patterns that hold the piece together. Regardless of the type or purpose of writing, a well-thought out order of ideas should be apparent. The structure should suit the topic, with a consciously planned opening and closing, each paragraph specific to one central idea, and transitions that tie the details together. Voice: The type of voice will vary according to the purpose and type of piece, but it should be appropriately formal or casual, distant or intimate, depending on the audience and purpose. Word Choice: This trait reflects the writer’s use of specific words and phrases to convey the intended message in an interesting, precise, and natural way appropriate to audience and purpose. Sentence Fluency: This trait addresses the rhythm and flow of language. Sentence structure should be strong and varied. Conventions: This trait addresses the mechanics of writing, spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and paragraph breaks. It can also include proper format.

Students will write 3-4 pages. Prompt #1 (August 23, 2013) Directions: Think carefully about the issue presented in the following paragraph and respond to the assignment below. How Would Life Change? Situation: How would life change if you woke up tomorrow morning and all the cars and trucks in the world had disappeared?

Directions: Think about the important role that cars and trucks play in our everyday lives.

Prompt: Write an essay describing how your life and your world would change if cars and trucks suddenly disappeared. Be sure to use specific details and examples to explain the changes this would cause. Prompt #2 (August 30, 2013) Directions: Think carefully about the issue presented in the following paragraph and respond to the assignment below. What Would You Change? Situation: Most people can name some things they wish were different in their life.

Directions: Think about what you would change about your life if you could and why you would make this change. Prompt: Now explain what you would change in your life. Prompt #3 (September 6, 2013) Directions: Think carefully about the issue presented in the following paragraph and respond to the assignment below. What Would You Like to Accomplish? Situation: Most people have some things they want to accomplish or achieve in their lives.

Directions: Think about what you would like to accomplish or achieve in your life and why. Prompt: Now explain what you would most like to achieve or accomplish in your life. Prompt #4 (September 13, 2013) Directions: Think carefully about the issue presented in the following paragraph and respond to the assignment below.

Something You Have Learned Situation: We are learning all the time. Some of our learning takes place in school and some outside of school.

Directions: Think about something you have learned recently and how it has affected you.

Prompt: Write to explain what you have learned and how it has affected you. Prompt #5 (September 20, 2013) Directions: Think carefully about the issue presented in the following paragraph and respond to the assignment below. Banning Extreme Sports We all enjoy participating in recreational sports from time to time, but while some sports are safe, others can be very risky. Think about a sport or activity you believe is too dangerous and should be banned. Why is this sport so risky? Write a well-organized essay in which you argue your position on this issue. Be sure to provide specific details to persuade your readers that the sport you have chosen is so risky, it should be banned. Prompt #6 (September 27, 2013) Directions: Think carefully about the issue presented in the following paragraph and respond to the assignment below. Do You Want Fame? Some people spend their entire lives seeking the rewards of fame and fortune. Others shy away from the spotlight due to the downsides of celebrity. If you had the opportunity, would you want to be famous? Why or why not? Write an essay taking a stand on whether or not fame is really advantageous. Prompt #7 (October 4, 2013) Directions: Think carefully about the issue presented in the following paragraph and respond to the assignment below. Greatest American Figure Think about the greatest American figures of past and present day. Who do you feel is the greatest American? What special qualities does this person possess that makes him or her commendable? What were his or her achievements? Write an essay in which you describe who you feel is the greatest American and persuade others to agree with your position. Be sure to include specific details and examples to support your argument. Prompt #8 (October 25, 2013) Directions: Think carefully about the issue presented in the following paragraph and respond to the assignment below. A Manned Mission to Mars In the next few years, the United States plans to launch a manned spaceship to Mars to establish a human colony there. While some observers argue that such a mission is necessary for human knowledge to advance, others fear that the costs of such a mission are too high or that it may not even be possible with our present technology. Do you think this is a wise course of action or not? Write an essay to the President of the United States that expresses your opinion of whether the United States should proceed with this course of action. Prompt #9 (November 1, 2013) Directions: Think carefully about the issue presented in the following paragraph and respond to the assignment below.

Spending Money Some parents believe that children should earn their own spending money by helping out around the home. Others believe that children should receive an allowance and should not be required to earn their spending money. Should children be required to earn their spending money or should they receive an allowance to obtain their spending money? Write an essay persuading parents to accept your opinion on whether or not children should have to earn their own spending money. Prompt #10 (November 8, 2013) Directions: Think carefully about the issue presented in the following paragraph and respond to the assignment below.

Parking Lot Construction The town council is discussing the idea of paving over a park in the middle of your town to provide more parking for local businesses. There is a shortage of parking downtown, and there is no open space to build more parking lots. On the other hand, the park is the only large grassy space downtown. Do you think it is more important to keep the park or to have more parking? Write an essay to persuade the town council to accept your recommendation on whether the town should pave over the park or keep the park as it is. Prompt #11 (November 15, 2013) Directions: Think carefully about the issue presented in the following paragraph and respond to the assignment below.

Salaries of Professional Athletes Most professional athletes receive a very high salary to play on a professional sports team. Some people think that professional athlete salaries are too high, while others think that the high salaries are merited. How do you feel about the high salaries of professional athletes? Do you think that their unique talents make them deserving of a high income? Write an essay supporting your position on whether or not you think the salaries of professional athletes are too high. Include facts, details, and examples to support your position. Prompt #12 (November 22, 2013) Directions: Think carefully about the issue presented in the following paragraph and respond to the assignment below. An Event in Your Life Think about an event in your life that taught you an important lesson. Write a narrative in which you tell what happened and how you learned a lesson. Be sure to include specific details so that a reader can follow your story.

Prompt #13 (December 6, 2013) Directions: Think carefully about the issue presented in the following paragraph and respond to the assignment below. T.V. Research shows that the average American watches as much as six hours of television each day. Do you think this is too much? Write an essay convincing readers to spend less time in front of the TV. Prompt #14 (December 13, 2013) Directions: Think carefully about the issue presented in the following paragraph and respond to the assignment below.

Driver’s License Most states allow people to get a driver’s license at the age of 16. Some people feel that 16 is much too young for the responsibility that comes with driving a car and that teenagers should not be allowed to drive until the age of 18. In your opinion, at what age should people be allowed to drive, and why?

Write an essay supporting your position. Prompt #15 (December 20, 2013) Directions: Think carefully about the issue presented in the following paragraph and respond to the assignment below. Computer Communication Prevents the Development of Interpersonal Skills Many of us spend hours in front of our computers and communicate more by e-mail or instant-messaging than in person. Some people believe that computer communication prevents us from developing interpersonal skills and limits our ability to have meaningful relationships with others. How do you feel about this issue? Use specific reasons and examples to support your position. Write an essay supporting your position. Prompt #16 (January 10, 2014) Directions: Think carefully about the issue presented in the following paragraph and respond to the assignment below.

Many cities suffer from serious air and noise pollution—as well as endless traffic jams—because of too many cars. Some people feel that cities with extensive public transportation systems should ban passenger cars and force people to walk, bike, or use public transportation. Do you think this is a good idea? Why or why not? Write an essay supporting your position.

Prompt #17 (January 17, 2014) Directions: Think carefully about the issue presented in the following paragraph and respond to the assignment below.

Have you ever heard this statement, "Life was easier for teenagers 50 years ago than it is for teenagers today." Do you agree or disagree?

Think about how a teenager’s life today compares with life 50 years ago. Write a persuasive essay stating whether you agree or disagree with the statement. Prompt #18 (January 24, 2014) Directions: Think carefully about the issue presented in the following paragraph and respond to the assignment below. Many famous people, both real and fictional, have been honored by having their faces on postage stamps. Consider a real person who you feel deserves this honor. Write a persuasive essay convincing others of your choice. ------Please detach and return to school------

Mrs. LoCicero 7th Grade English Syllabus 2013 -14

We have read the information and we understand the homework requirements and policies for this class. Students will be writing one essay a week. Furthermore, in order to receive a grade, students are required to complete 50% of their writing homework per quarter.

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