San José State University
Comparing/Contrasting
Do your students love movies? Use Star Wars and Indiana Jones to introduce the use of Venn diagrams for comparing and contrasting. A list of words to indicate comparison or contrast are also included to help with the writing process.
Curated OER
Directed and Undirected Free-writing: An Activity in Brainstorming
Eighth graders practice pre-writing skills using brainstorming methods. Using music and meditation, they examine the difference between directed and undirected free-writing, as well as how and when to apply them to the pre-writing process.
Curated OER
Around the Room Short Story
Collective story writing is a great way to reinforce the concept of story elements and collaborative learning. Young writers discuss story elements such as, setting, character, action, climax, conclusion, foreshadowing, dialogue, and...
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Essay Prewriting Lesson Plan
Pupils explain the steps to making a sandwich to their teacher while he/she completes the steps. After the demonstration, they identify any part of the process that could use clarification. They are introduced to the practice of...
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Short Writing Paper
What an interesting resource to use as part of a writing activity! Learners discuss how to write an essay and tips to make it a rich experience. Included in the list of ways to improve writing are suggestions such as checking...
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Story Elements
Review story elements with your class using this resource. Learners can take a story they have read as a class and identify story elements. They focus on characters, setting, the introduction, and plot. Then, they use graphic organizers...
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Visible Speech: A Short Course in the Fundamentals of Writing
Use this presentation to introduce a class or lecture about writing organization. The slide show is the first part in a five-part series, titled "What is an Essay?" The slideshow is short and could use more detail, but functions as a...
Curated OER
Writing Using a Visual Prompt: Wishes
A visual prompt can be a good way to get students' writing juices flowing. Learners can use this picture of a boy with a ball to inspire them when writing about wishes.
Curated OER
Writing Using a Visual Prompt: Snowman and Girl
Learners can use this simple worksheet as a guide when writing a short essay. This activity, which features a little girl with a snowman, could be used to spur students to use their imagination to write a paragraph.
Cliffs Notes
Don Quixote: Study Help Essay Topics and Review Questions
In this literature learning exercise, students respond to 26 short answer and essay questions about Cervantes's Don Quixote. Students may also link to an online interactive quiz on the novel at the bottom of the page.
Spark Notes
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson: : Study Guide - Mini Essays
In this online interactive literature activity, students respond to 8 short answer and essay questions about Robert Louis Stevenson's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Students may check some of their answers online.
Spark Notes
An Enemy of the People by Henrik Ibsen: Study Guide - Mini Essays
In this online interactive literature worksheet, students respond to 6 short answer and essay questions about Henrik Ibsen's An Enemy of the People. Students may check some of their answers online.
Spark Notes
Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad: Study Guide - Mini Essays
In this online interactive literature instructional activity, students respond to 10 short answer and essay questions about Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness. Students may check some of their answers online.
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King John by William Shakespeare: Study Guide - Mini Essays
For this online interactive literature worksheet, learners respond to 9 short answer and essay questions about Shakespeare's King John. Students may check some of their answers online.
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King Lear by William Shakespeare: Study Guide - Mini Essays
In this online interactive literature worksheet, students respond to 10 short answer and essay questions about Shakespeare's King Lear. Students may check some of their answers online.
Spark Notes
Light in August by William Faulkner: Study Guide - Mini Essays
In this online interactive literature worksheet, students respond to 7 short answer and essay questions about Faulkner's Light in August. Students may check some of their answers online.
Cliffs Notes
The Count of Monte Cristo: Study Help Essay Topics and Review Questions
In this literature worksheet, learners respond to 5 short answer and essay questions about Alexandre Dumas's The Count of Monte Cristo. Students may also link to an online interactive quiz on the novel at the bottom of the page.
Cliffs Notes
The Diary of Anne Frank: Study Help Essay Topics
In this literature resource, students are presented with 8 short answer and essay questions about The Diary of Anne Frank. Students may also link to an online interactive quiz on the novel at the bottom of the page.
Spark Notes
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card: Study Guide - Mini Essays
In this online interactive literature worksheet, students respond to eight short answer and essay questions about Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game. Students may check some of their answers online.
Spark Notes
Giants in the Earth by O.E. Rölvaag: Study Guide - Mini Essays
In this online interactive literature worksheet, students respond to eight short answer and essay questions about O.E. Rolvaag's Giants in the Earth. Students may check some of their answers online.
SparkNotes
Kindred by Octavia Butler: Study Guide - Mini Essays
In this online interactive literature worksheet, students respond to 8 short answer and essay questions about Octavia Butler's Kindred. Students may check some of their answers online.
SparkNotes
The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper: Study Guide - Mini Essays
In this online interactive literature learning exercise, students respond to 8 short answer and essay questions about James Fenimore Cooper's The Last of the Mohicans. Students may check some of their answers online.
SparkNotes
Les Misérables by Victor Hugo: Study Guide - Mini Essays
In this online interactive literature learning exercise, students respond to 9 short answer and essay questions about Victor Hugo's Les Miserables. Students may check some of their answers online.
SparkNotes
The Libation Bearers by Aeschylus: Study Guide - Mini Essays
In this online interactive literature learning exercise, students respond to 10 short answer and essay questions about Aeschylus's The Libation Bearers. Students may check some of their answers online.