PSSA+Writing+and+Grammar

PSSA Writing and Grammar

ARTICLE REVIEW

[|**Grammar Exercise**] [|**Grammar Exercise**] [|**Grammar Exercise**]


 * __Prompt 1__**

“It is no longer enough to be smart—all the technological tools in the world add meaning and value only if they enhance our core values, the deepest part of our heart. Acquiring knowledge is no guarantee of practical, useful application. Wisdom implies a mature integration of appropriate knowledge, a seasoned ability to filter the inessential from the essential.” -Doc Childre and Deborah Rozman People define wisdom in a variety of ways. How would you define it? Write a multi-paragraph essay exploring your own conception of what it is that makes a person wise. Be sure to support your interpretation with specific details and examples from your own experiences or readings.

__Prompt 2__

New laws are continually being put into place in order to provide order, rules, and regulations that guide the actions of members of the country, state, or local municipality. Write an essay in which you persuade local townspeople that a certain new law should be put into place. In your essay, provide an explanation of the law and at least three reasons in support of the need for the law. You may support your reasons with statistics, quotes, or other research you have gathered on the issue.

__Prompt 3__

People choose their occupations for different reasons: to make money, to help others, or to make the world a better place. What do you think is the most rewarding occupation you could have, excluding illegal activities? Write a newspaper editorial to convince readers which occupation is the most rewarding and why.

__Prompt 4__

Everybody is afraid of something. Some people may be afraid of certain places, such as a very tall building or a dark forest late at night. Other people might find themselves fearful of certain experiences, such as trying out for a sport or speaking in public. Still other may find themselves frightened by spiders or ferocious dogs. Think about an experience in which you had to face one of your greatest fears. Write an essay in which you use concrete sensory details and images to describe your experience of facing this fearful situation. Did you learn anything by facing, or not facing your fears?

__Prompt 5__ Each person has been in trouble at one time or another because he or she did something bad or said something wrong. Write a multi-paragraph essay describing an instance when you did something you later regretted and the lesson you learned in the process. As you write, remember your essay will be scored on:
 * focus
 * content
 * organization
 * style
 * conventions

__Prompt 6__ Think of a childhood event that you remember vividly. It might be the first time you rode a school bus, the day you played an important Little League game, the day you learned to ride a bike, or another memorable event. Write a story about the event. Describe what happened and explain why it was memorable. Tell your story in an interesting way to engage the reader. Remember to make sure the reader has enough details about your experience so he or she can picture it in his or her mind.

__Prompt 7__

Good design is a blend of form and function. What product might you design that would improve people's lives? Write an essay in which you describe this product and how it would affect people's lives.

__Prompt 8__

The school board is considering adoting a policy that says every high school student must play at least one competitive sport in order to graduate from high school. Write a letter to your board either agreeing or disagreeing with this policy.