Modes of WritingMiss GayEnglish 7

Descriptive- to describeNarrative- to tell a storyExpository- to explain or inform

Persuasive- to persuade or convince

Modes of Writing

The prompt tells you what to write. Read the prompt carefully (at least two times)

Look for key words in the prompt. Know the characteristics of each mode.

Identifying the Mode from a Prompt

Descriptive Writing- describe; you may want to tell how it looks, smells, and makes you feel.

People often have a favorite room. It may be a room like a classroom, a bedroom, a kitchen, or a room at a friend’s house. Think of your favorite room. Describe your favorite room so that your friend will know exactly what the room is like. You may wish to include how the room looks, what you smell, the sounds you hear, and how you feel when you are there.

Keywords

Expository Writing- explain or tell; use examples

Think about your favorite subject or activity in school. Write a friend and tell what your favorite subject or activity is and give reasons explaining why it is your favorite. You might tell why it is important to you, why you enjoy it, or what you have learned from it. Be sure to use examples that clearly explain what you mean.

Keywords

Persuasive Writing- persuade; opinion; reasons and examples

Your school board is considering a new year-round school schedule. Write a persuasive letter to your school board stating your opinion and explaining why you feel this way. Be sure to supply convincing reasons and/or specific examples.

Keywords

Narrative Writing- write a story; tell what happens

You and a friend find a big box that is labeled “Do Not Open.” Your friend wants to open the box. Write a story about what happens next.

Keywords

There are many different kinds of stores, such as grocery stores, music stores, pet stores, and video stores. Describe your favorite store. You may want to tell what you see, hear, smell, and how you feel when you are there.

Which mode?

Suppose you were an adult for a day. Write a story telling what happened.

Which mode?

Think of a kitchen. Describe the kitchen so that someone reading your paper will know what it is like. You may wish to include how it looks, how it smells, and what you might here there.

Which mode?

In order to help students prepare for life after high school, the department of education is considering adding Grade 13 to teach students the skills they will need in a modern society. Decide whether you agree or disagree with the plan. Write a persuasive letter to the department of education stating your opinion and explaining why you feel this way. Be sure to supply convincing reasons and/or specific examples.

Which mode?

Imagine someone who has never been to a ball game. Describe what it is like at a game. You may want to describe what you hear, what you see, what you smell, and how you feel when you are there.

Which mode?

The State Board of Education has decided that all students must pass a computer class before they can enter ninth grade. Decide whether you are for or against this decision. Write to the State Board of Education. Give your opinion and persuade the Board to support your opinion. Be sure to include reasons and/or specific examples.

Which mode?

Everyone makes mistakes. Write a story about a time when you or someone else made a big mistake. Tell what happened.

Which mode?

Write an original prompt for each mode: descriptive, narrative, persuasive, and expository.

Label each one and underline the key words.

Writing Modes