Seventh Grade Writing Workshop
Seventh grade students will write in a variety of genres, including narrative, informational, and argument texts. In their argument writing, students lay out a well-supported argument, clarify that their argument is part of a bigger conversation, acknowledge positions on the issue that might disagree, and demonstrate why their position makes sense. In their narrative writing, students compose realistic fiction that has believable characters, tension, and change, and that not only conveys, but also develops an idea, lesson or theme. In their informational writing, students bring together ideas and information about a subject. Writers incorporate a variety of text structures as needed, including argument, explanation, narrative, and procedural passages.
Writing Units of Study may include:
- Writing Narrative Fiction: Seventh-grade writers will imagine stories from everyday moments and stories they wish existed in the world as they develop believable characters and story arcs. Students will study published texts with a focus on leads, dialogue, and literary devices in order to revise their own writing in a way that will make their readers swoon.
- Writing About Reading: From Reader's Notebooks to Companion Books: Seventh-grade writers create companion books that explain, develop, and extend ideas about fiction books they've read. Writers plan, draft, and revise their work by reading closely and responding with analytic writing, using text evidence to elaborate, and writing to deepen literary analysis of symbols, structures, and perspectives.
- Art of Argument: Research-Based Essays: Seventh-grade writers compose essays that build convincing, nuanced arguments. They balance evidence and analysis to persuade readers to shift their beliefs or take action. Writers also bring critical perspectives to their research.