"Do the Write Thing" Essay Challenge

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Since we’ve been back from Christmas break, we have been discussing and working on essays for the “Do the Write Thing” essay challenge.  This is a state and national contest that focuses on reducing violence in schools and communities and emphasizes students’ input and personal stories.  I think this is a good experience for students to think and write about an important issue while also submitting their writing to a contest.  A bright yellow parent consent form was sent home with each student, and if you haven’t seen one yet, you should be shortly!  Thank you for all your support! 

-Mrs. Lee

Official Guidelines:

·         Students will write non-fiction essays between 600 – 1000 words in length.

·         Personal experience should be highlighted. Each entry must be the work product of only one student.

·         Student essays must address the following three questions:

1. How has violence affected my life?

2. What are the causes of violence affecting young people? 

3. What can I do about preventing violence, especially among youths?

·         Entries must be typed in black ink on 8-1/2” x 11” paper. Only one side of the paper may be used and the pages should be numbered. Use a paper clip, do not staple.

·         Entries must have a consent statement signed by the participating student and a parent or guardian.

·         No personal information (name, address, phone number, email, etc.) should appear in your essay.

·         Editing for content, grammar, or spelling by someone other than the student is not permitted.

·         Entries must be submitted with THREE copies of the essay, paper-clipped to the PARENT CONSENT FORM.

Some Guidelines from Mrs. Lee:

ü  Remember to focus on the aspect of “voice” in this essay.  Ask yourself:

o   Does my writing show my personality?

o   Does it have a different sound than everyone else’s?

o   Have I communicated feelings and emotions?

o   Have I told a personal story or two?

o   Can the reader tell that I’m being honest and sincere?

o   Have I used interesting language?

ü  Make sure that you do not write out the three (3) main questions and then provide answers separately.  Try to have the answers woven into your writing.

ü  It is often helpful to include quotes or statistics to back up your “main idea.”  We discussed many of these in class; write them down and use them!

ü  Hint, hint… Mrs. Lee still wants you to make sure that you do a spelling and grammar check on the computer at least two (2x) times before you hand it in!

Rough Drafts are to be started in class and finished @ home:  Mon. 1/10 (A-day) & Tues. 1/11 (B-day)

In-class computer lab time: Wed. 1/12 (A-day) & Thurs. 1/13 (B-day)

Final Drafts (3 copies) & Parent Consent Form (signed) DUE:

  Before 1^st bell on Friday, January 14 (so I can get everyone’s in the mail!)

Some ideas for essay organization:

1^st Paragraph:  Define violence.  What does it look/sound like?  How does it affect people?  What are the results of violence?  Perhaps you can use a quote from a famous person.

2^nd Paragraph:  How has violence affected your life?  Use a personal experience and describe your feelings and emotions.  The experience can be one of a friend, relative, school mate…even a story from the news that had an effect on you.

3^rd Paragraph:  What are the causes of violence, especially among young people?

4^th Paragraph:  How can you prevent violence, especially among young people?  Think yourself, personally.  How can your actions- past, present, future- help reduce violence?

5^th Paragraph:  Conclusion.  Restate what violence does.  Restate how it affects us all.  Can you use another quote?  What did you learn while you were writing this?