Exploring Writing - Gary Robert Muschla 2011

Among Friends
Organizing Ideas
Part 1. Finding and Developing Ideas for Writing

1.16 What’s a Friend?

Directions: Think about your friends. What makes a person a friend? Answer the questions and write an article explaining what you believe a friend is. Be sure to include an opening, body, and closing in your writing. Support your ideas with details and examples.

1. What is one trait of a friend? Give an example of this trait.

2. What is a second trait of a friend? Give an example of this trait.

3. What is a third trait of a friend? Give an example of this trait.

4. What is the most important trait a friend should have? Explain.

1.17 Rules for Getting Along with Others

Directions: Think about people you know who get along well with others. Now think about some people who do not get along with others. Answer the questions; then write an article about rules people should follow to get along with others. Be sure to include an opening, body, and closing in your writing. Support your ideas with details and examples.

1. Write one rule people should follow if they hope to get along with others. Why is this rule important?

2. Write a second rule people should follow if they hope to get along with others. Why is this rule important?

3. Write a third rule people should follow if they hope to get along with others. Why is this rule important?

1.18 Fun with Friends

Directions: Think of a great time you had with a friend. Maybe you went to a party, a sports event, or an amusement park. Or maybe you just hung out. Answer the questions; then write a narrative about a fun time you had with a friend. Be sure to include an opening, body, and closing in your writing. Support your ideas with details and examples.

1. Who is your friend?

2. Where did you go?

3. When did you go?

4. Who else was present?

5. How did you get there?

6. Describe this fun time. What did you do?

7. Why was this time so much fun?

1.19 A Friendly Adventure

Directions: Think about a time a friend and you shared an adventure. Answer the questions and write a narrative about your adventure. Be sure to include an opening, body, and closing in your writing. Support your ideas with details and examples.

1. Where did this adventure take place?

2. When did this adventure take place?

3. Who was with you?

4. Describe the scene of this adventure.

5. What happened?

6. How did the adventure end?

1.20 A Friend in Need

Directions: Good friends are always willing to help each other. Think of a time you helped a friend. Answer the questions and write a narrative about this experience. Be sure to include an opening, body, and closing in your writing. Support your ideas with details and examples.

1. Who is your friend?

2. How long have you been friends?

3. When did you help your friend?

4. Why did he or she need help?

5. How did you help?

6. What happened after you helped?

1.21 Friendly Letter

Directions: Think of a great novel or story you read. Now think of a friend who you believe would enjoy this book. Answer the questions; then write a letter to your friend to convince him or her to read this book. In your letter, try to show your friend why he or she would like this book, but do not reveal the book’s ending.

1. What book would you like your friend to read? Who is the author?

2. Describe the main characters in the book.

3. Describe the book’s plot (but do not reveal the ending).

4. Why did you like this book?

5. Why do you think your friend would like this book?

1.22 A Character Friend

Directions: Think of some favorite characters in some of your favorite stories or novels. Which of these characters would you most like to have as a friend? Answer the questions; then write an article explaining why this character would make a good friend. Be sure to include an opening, body, and closing in your writing. Support your ideas with details and examples.

1. What is the name of the character you would like to have as a friend?

2. What is the title of the story where you first “met” this character?

3. Describe the story.

4. Describe the character.

5. Explain what traits this character has that would make him or her a good friend.

1.23 A Biographical Sketch of a Friend

Directions: A biography is a true story of a person’s life. A biographical sketch is a short biography. Answer the questions on this worksheet; then write a biographical sketch of a friend. Be sure to include an opening, body, and closing in your biography. Support your ideas with details and examples.

1. What is the name of your friend?

2. How old is your friend?

3. What is your friend’s birthday?

4. Where was your friend born?

5. Describe your friend’s family.

6. Does your friend have any pets? If yes, describe them.

7. Describe your friend. (Include what he or she likes and dislikes.)

8. What are your friend’s plans for the future?

1.24 Secrets

Directions: Imagine that a friend tells you a frightening secret. What would you do? Answer the questions and write a story about this secret and what happens. Be sure to include interesting characters, an exciting plot, and a climax to your story.

1. What is your friend’s name?

2. Describe him or her.

3. Name and describe any other main characters in the story.

4. What terrible secret does your friend share with you?

5. What must you do?

6. What happens next?

7. How does the story end?

1.25 When Friends Disagree

Directions: Imagine two friends who have a fight. What might happen? How might they feel? Answer the questions and write a story about two friends who have a fight. Be sure to include interesting characters, an exciting plot, and a climax to your story.

1. What are the names of the main characters in your story?

2. Describe each of the main characters.

3. Describe the setting of the story.

4. When did the argument happen?

5. What caused the fight?

6. Describe the fight.

7. What happened after the fight?