501 Writing Prompts

5 01
Writing Prompts

501
Writing Prompts

®

NEW

YORK

Copyright © 2003 LearningExpress, LLC.
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions.
Published in the United States by LearningExpress, LLC, New York.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:
501 writing prompts.— 1st ed.
p. cm.—(LearningExpress skill builder in focus)
ISBN1-57685-438-8 (pbk.)
1. English language—Rhetoric—Examinations—Study guides. 2. Report writing—
Examinations—Study guides. I. LearningExpress (Organization) II. Series.
PE1408 .A15 2003
808'.042'076—dc21
2002151698
Printed in the United States of America
987654321
First Edition
ISBN 1-57685-438-8
For more information or to place an order, contact LearningExpress at:
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The LearningExpress Skill Builder in Focus Writing Team is comprised of experts in test preparation, as well as educators and teachers who
specialize in language arts and math.
LearningExpress Skill Builder in Focus Writing Team
Barbara Fine
English Instructor
Secondary Reading Specialist
Setauket, New York

Lara BohlkeMiddle School Math Teacher,
Grade 8
Dodd Middle School
Cheshire, Connecticut

Sandy Gade
Project Editor
LearningExpress
New York, New York

Elizabeth Chesla
English Instructor
Coordinator of Technical &
Professional Communication
Program
Polytechnic University, Brooklyn
South Orange, New Jersey

Melinda Grove
Adjunct Professor, Quinnipiac
University and Naugatuck Valley
CommunityCollege
Middle School Math Teacher,
Grade 8
Dodd Middle School
Cheshire, Connecticut

Brigit Dermott
Freelance Writer
English Tutor, New York Cares
New York, New York

Noah Kravitz
Educational Technology Specialist
Brooklyn, New York

Darren Dunn
English Teacher
Riverhead School District
Riverhead, New York

Kerry McLean
Project Editor
Math Tutor
Shirley, New York

CindyEstep
Math Instructor
South Shore Christian School,
Long Island, New York
Linganore High School,
Frederick, Maryland
Adjunct Professor,
Frederick Community College,
Frederick, Maryland

Meg Moyer
Math Teacher, Vestal Central High
School
Vestal Central School District
Vestal, New York

v

501 Writing Prompts

Colleen Schultz
Middle School Math Teacher,
Grade 8
Vestal CentralSchool District
Math Tutor
Vestal, New York

William Recco
Middle School Math Teacher,
Grade 8
Shoreham/Wading River School
District
Math Tutor
St. James, New York

vi

Contents

ix

Introduction
1

Persuasive Writing Prompts
Rubrics—Scoring Explanations
Model Persuasive Essays

1
19
20

2

Expository Writing Prompts
Rubrics—Scoring Explanations
Model ExpositoryEssays

51
60
61

3

Narrative Writing Prompts
Rubrics—Scoring Explanations
Model Narrative Essays

89
102
103

4

Literary Response Prompts
Rubrics—Scoring Explanations
Model Literary Response Essays

131
144
145

vii

Introduction

W

elcome to 501 Writing Prompts! This book is designed
to provide you with a variety of writing topics and model essays.
Categoriesin this book cover many different types of writing:
persuasive, expository, narrative, and literary response. At some point in
your life, whether you are trying to pass an academic exam or standardized
test, writing a college placement essay, or vying for a job promotion, you
will need to practice the skills used to express yourself clearly.

How to Use This Book
First, decide on the typeof essay you will need to write. There are four types
of writing that are commonly used in a given situation. Persuasive writing
argues a point and is often called argumentation. When you write persuasively, you are always expressing an opinion. In order to convince your
reader, you must be able to present sound reasons and good examples. For
instance, instead of explaining the causes of the...