English 8 Midterm

First semester will soon be coming to a close. For your midterm, I will not be giving a test per se, but instead will ask you to write an essay in Google Docs.

The prompt for this essay is a simple one:

What have you learned in this very short semester? 

Don't just think about the tangible things you have learned (the 6+1 traits of writing, how to write dialogue, etc.) but also think about the intangible things - what you have discovered about yourself as a writer and as a student.

In addition to a minimum 2-page, double-spaced essay, you will also be asked to include the following:

1. Use 3 vocabulary words (IN CONTEXT!) in your essay and highlight them.
2. Using the comments feature, point out 3 places where you used a particular trait of writing well and explain why you feel that way.
3. Using the comments feature, label an example of each of the 8 parts of speech.
4. Using the comments feature, show me an example of a contraction, possessive noun, and plural noun. (If you leave one or more of these things out, mention that at the end of your essay and give a separate example)
5. All pronouns of I must be capitalized or I'm taking off an automatic 3 points. 
6. If you use a fragment or run-on, point it out and explain why you made that stylistic choice.
7. Please make sure you find a way to effectively introduce your essay as well as create a satisfying, resonating ending.  

Things to consider when writing your essay (you don't have to include all of these, they're just suggestions of things you can discuss):
Thoughts about your writer's notebook
How have you been brave? 
Our author visit from Carrie Harris 

• Bad Taste in Boys
• Bad Hair Day 
• Demon Derby 
• Sally Slick and the Steel Syndicate

Article of the Week 
Formal writing assignments you have turned in:

• This I Believe 
• Superhero assignment
• NaNoWriMo
• Words are Powerful

Texts we have shared this semester:

• The Story of Fish and Snail by Deborah Freedman
• "Brave" by Sara Bareilles
• "Everything Exists in the Word" by Pablo Neruda 
• A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd
• "What I Believe" from Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
• Rules of Summer by Shaun Tan 
• Tadpole's Promise by Jeanne Willis, illustrated by Tony Ross
• "We Wear the Mask" by Paul Laurence Dunbar
• "Try" by Colbie Caillat 
• Battle Bunny by Mac Barnett and Jon Scieszka, illustrated by Matthew Myers
• Rex Wrecks It by Ben Clanton 
• The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus by Jen Bryant, illustrated by Melissa Sweet
• X: A Novel by Ilyasah Shibazz and Kekla Magoon 

Also, separate from the essay:

1. Share your favorite passage from your NaNoWriMo novel and explain why it's your favorite.
2. Share a passage of dialogue from your NaNoWriMo novel -- punctuated and indented correctly.
3. Provide a synopsis of your NaNoWriMo novel. (Think about how novels are described on the backs of books or inside jacket flaps to entice readers)

Extra credit:
Design a cover for your novel and write a short explanation about how that cover  + title works for your novel. (You can turn this in separately from the Google Doc)