how long should an essay be 7th grade

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How Long is An Essay in 7th Grade?

Confused about what’s expected of you for your first essay assignment in seventh grade? All of the frequently asked questions about the format of essays will be addressed in this article.

Students should be honing their fundamental writing abilities by the seventh grade, including brainstorming, researching, outlining, drafting, and revising. Students in the seventh grade should regularly practice writing a variety of essay types, such as narrative, persuasive, expository, and creative essays, in order to hone these skills.

The following essay prompts offer age-appropriate starting points to help seventh graders flex their writing muscles.

Table of Contents

There is frequently a word count requirement for essays . However, in the case of an in-class essay test, the general rule is that you should aim to complete an introduction, two TEEL body paragraphs, and a conclusion within the allotted 40 minutes.

How Long Should the Introduction Be?

Your introduction should only be 3-4 sentences. Get straight to the point within your opening sentence. The best openings demonstrate you have clearly planned your arguments.

Take five minutes to consider your argument and consider how you will support it in the body paragraphs before you begin writing. Then, the first sentence just needs to offer your direct response to the question itself.

How Long Should Each Body Paragraph Be?

When writing the body paragraphs, keep the TEEL structure in mind at all times. Each paragraph should have:

Clearly define your argument in your topic sentence. (1 sentence)
Give at least one example taken directly from the text. Make sure that you have chosen this quote carefully to best support your claim. Use quotation marks whenever appropriate. (1 sentence)
Analysis of the quote and elaboration Did the author use a particular method? What can be taken away from this example to support your point of view? (2-3 sentences)
Link – connect the discussion back to the topic sentence to further emphasize the idea in this paragraph. (1 sentence)

How Long Should the Conclusion Be?

Only 2 or 3 sentences should make up your conclusion. It presents your concluding response to the query. You can provide a summary of the two key concepts you examined in the two body paragraphs and make a final assessment of how you interpreted the question.

The Length of Each Part in an Essay

The Length of Different Kinds of Essays

The Length of Essays in Different Grades

How Long is a Typical Paragraph Required for 7th Grade?

Among teachers, this is a constant point of contention. Based on what our MEAP requires and a progression up the grades, we have established limits at each grade level. These requirements ensure that our students must provide examples and details to strengthen the paragraph’s supporting arguments. Each paragraph written by a student in our fifth grade must contain at least 40 words (although they are always free to write more). 80 words must be learned by the sixth grade.

In 7th grade, students must write 100 words , and in 8th grade, it is 125 words. There are also requirements for sentences. A 5th-grade paragraph must have at least 5 sentences (topic sentence, body/support sentences, and a clincher). 6th graders must have 6 sentences, while 7th and 8th graders must include at least 8 sentences. See How Long is An Essay in 6th Grade , and 8th Grade .

Narrative Essay Writing Prompts

Narrative essays share a personal experience to tell a story, usually to make a point rather than merely to entertain. These questions for narrative essays encourage students to describe and think back on a story that has special meaning for them.

Embarrassing Pasts – As people age, they occasionally feel ashamed of the toys, television shows, or nicknames they once enjoyed. Give an example of something you once enjoyed but now find embarrassing. Why is this embarrassing right now?
Bonds of Hardship – Families can become closer when facing challenges. Describe something that your family endured together that strengthened your relationships.
There’s No Place Like Home – What unique qualities does your hometown possess? What makes this trait unique?
New Kid in Town – Being new to a town or school can be difficult because you don’t know anyone or exciting because nobody knows you or your past. Tell us about a time when you were the new kid.
Finders Keepers – Describe a time when you misplaced (or found) something important. How did that experience affect your opinion of the saying, “Finders keepers; losers weepers?”
Follow the Leader – Tell about a time when you held a leadership position. How did it make you feel? What did the experience teach you?
April Fools – Write about the best prank you’ve ever played on someone (or had played on you). What made it so funny or clever?
Bon Appetit – Special meals have the power to evoke strong memories. Write about a specific meal that stands out in your memory. What was so memorable about it?
Bon Voyage – Family trips and vacations also create lasting memories. Your favorite family vacation memory should be the focus of an essay.
Batter Up – In your essay, describe a worthwhile lesson you picked up from playing your preferred sport.
Best Friends Forever – Describe your relationship with your best friend and why it means so much to you.
The Real Me – What is something about you that you wish your parents, teachers, or coaches truly understood?
TV – Describe what about your favorite television program you find so compelling or relatable.

Persuasive Essay Writing Prompts

The goal of persuasive essays is to persuade the reader to agree with the writer’s viewpoint or take a particular course of action. Seventh graders are given the tools they need to write effectively about a topic they are passionate about thanks to these essay prompts.

Outdated Laws – What is one law, family custom, or educational regulation that you believe needs to be altered? Persuade your parents, the government, or the administration of your school to implement the change.
Bad Ads – Advertising can have a powerful impact on consumers. Which product has been advertised that, in your opinion, shouldn’t have been? Justify the removal of these advertisements from media outlets.
Puppy Love – You want a pet, but your parents don’t think you need one. What would you say to persuade them to change their minds?
Lights, Camera – Which book has always captured your attention? Write a paper persuading a filmmaker to make a movie about it.
Snooze Button – Tweens and teens require more sleep, according to studies. Make a case for a later start time for school in your proposal.
Body Shop – By using altered images of models, magazines can have a negative impact on their readers’ body image. Persuade the editor of a teen magazine not to publish photos of models that have undergone extensive editing.
It Can’t Be Over – The network is canceling your favorite television show. Write a paper persuading the station that they are mistaken.
Curfews – Children under the age of 18 are not permitted in some malls during specific hours without adult supervision. Is this fair or unfair, in your opinion? Defend your position.
Team Spirit – Should homeschooled students be permitted to participate in athletic teams at public or private schools? Why or why not?
Smartphones – All of your friends have the latest smartphone, but you only have a “dumb phone.” Should your parents upgrade your phone, or are smartphones for middle school kids a bad idea?
Bullies – Some dogs, such as pit bulls or Dobermans, are labeled “bully breeds.” Is this moniker accurate or unfair?
Money Can’t Buy You Love – While some studies have shown that people with higher incomes may be happier, contrary to popular belief, money cannot buy happiness. Do you believe this to be true? Why or why not?
Ratings – Age restrictions, TV show ratings, and warning labels all exist for music, video games, and movies. Child safety features are available on computers and smartphones. Do adults have too much control over what kids watch and listen to or do these restrictions serve a valuable purpose?

Expository Essay Writing Prompts

Expository essays give factual information or a process description. These questions can act as springboards for the explanation process.

School’s in Session – Which type of education do you prefer—public, private, or homeschooling? Describe how your decision is advantageous.
Admiration – Who do you look up to in history or in your own life? Write an essay describing how their character or contributions to their community have earned your respect.
Global Community – Which location would you choose if you could reside anywhere in the world? Explain why you want to live in your ideal community.
Peer Problems – Peer pressure and bullying can make life as a middle school student difficult. Explain a time when you were subjected to pressure or bullying and how it affected you.
Order Up – Your favorite dish is being taught to a friend. Give your friend step-by-step instructions so they can make the dish again.
Addictions – The effects of drug or alcohol addiction are widespread. Share information about the harm that these substances’ use causes to families and communities.
Serve Others – Serving in the community is a rewarding experience. Describe a time you volunteered. What did you do and how did it make you feel?
City or Country Mouse – Do you reside in an urban or rural area? Describe your preferences for living there and why.
Aspirations – What do you intend to do when you grow up? Explain why you’d choose that career or what you’ll do to prepare for it.
Point in Time – People occasionally bury time capsules so that future generations can understand the past. What would you include to provide a true portrait of contemporary life?
Hobbyist – Your friend wants to start your favorite pastime. Explain it to him.
SOS – In a nearby city, a natural disaster has destroyed residences and commercial buildings. Specify what you can do to assist.
Wonder Twin Power – Some superheroes can fly or become invisible. What superpower, if any, would you choose to have, and why?

Creative Essay Writing Prompts

Fictional stories are the basis of creative essays. To captivate and entertain the reader, they make use of plot, character, and dialog. These questions will inspire you to write.

Fan Fic – Your favorite characters from a book, movie, or television program should be the subject of a short story.
Cats vs. Dogs – Two different species of animals serve as your pets. A day at home alone should be described in a story from their perspective.
Time Travel – You find a time machine in your backyard. What happens as soon as you enter?
Dream State – Consider a time when you awoke in the middle of a vivid dream. If the dream wasn’t cut short, what would have happened?
New Door – Just now, you came across a door that you’ve never seen before. What transpires if you pass through it?
Secret Keeper – Your best friend has been hiding something from you, you learn. Why didn’t your friend tell you the secret and what is it?
Fridge Fun – From the viewpoint of a food item in your refrigerator, compose a story.
Desert Island – You’ve just found an unexplored island. What happens next?
Fly on the Wall – Despite being unable to hear them, you can see two people talking animatedly. Write a story about what they might be saying.
Special Delivery – In the mail, you discover a damaged package. About how it got from the sender to you, write a narrative.
A Mile in My Shoes – In the thrift shop, you choose a pair of shoes and put them on. You find yourself abruptly thrust into someone else’s life. Describe what happens.
Mission to Mars – Imagine that you’re a pioneer to start a colony on Mars. Describe a typical day on your new planet in your essay.
Snow Days – You and your family are stranded inside due to snow for a week. There is no electricity or phone service. What are your hobbies?

Conclusion: An Essay in 7th Grade

Hopefully, writing essays now doesn’t seem as intimidating. As always, practicing is the best way to get ready. You’ll see a significant improvement quickly if you use these instructions as practice to structure your next essay. The whole paragraph can be written in fifteen minutes or less (again with practice).

The Guide to 7th Grade: Reading and Writing

Review reading and writing curricula for 7th grade, including what to expect and resources to support learning..

Seventh graders are able to focus more on growing the skills they began to develop in the 6th grade without the added stress to adjusting to the new middle school environment. By 7th grade, it is expected that students have acclimated to life as a middle school student and are therefore expected to work more independently and organize their time and schedules with less (but still some) guidance.

In general, in 7th grade, students build on the skills they learned in 6th grade by writing and reading more complex and longer texts and essays. This work will prepare them for 8th grade where they will cement and further their skills, ultimately setting them up for success in high school.

Read on for what to expect this year, and shop all seventh grade resources at The Scholastic Store .

7th Grade Reading

In 7th grade, students deepen their ability to analyze the texts they read and provide evidence from the text to do so. Specifically, 7th graders learn to examine texts more closely and use details from the text in order to develop ideas, analyze, and make inferences.

In addition, they analyze the relationships between elements within one text and across multiple texts while supporting this analysis by citing evidence from the text.

In order to build reading skills, your 7th grader:

Analyzes texts using the text as evidence to support the analysis.
Makes inferences about texts and uses evidence from the text to support the inferences.
Understands the message or ideas in a text and uses evidence to support these claims.
Understands, tracks the progress of, and summarizes the main idea of a text, using evidence from the text.
Analyzes and explains the relationship between different elements such as character and setting.
Analyzes the impact of specific language and word choice used in a text.
Understands how the different structures used in a text, such as poetry or drama, affect the text.
Compares and contrasts the different perspectives and points of views in a text.
Determines the author’s point of view in a text using evidence from the text.
Compares different versions such as a stage version, film, or audio version of a text, paying specific attention to the way in which elements such as lighting, scenery, or audio sounds affect the message of the text.
Compares a historical account of an event, person, or place with a historical fiction text about the same period.
Read a variety of texts, including stories, poetry, drama, non-fiction, or informative texts.
Compares multiple texts written by different authors about the same topic and determines how their different perspectives are presented through their presentation of facts and the inferences they make.

7th Grade Writing

Similar to the work they do in reading, 7th graders deepen their writing skills by using analysis, paying close attention to detail and providing reasons, proofs, and examples for the ideas they express. 7th graders write a variety of genres, including informative pieces, opinion pieces, and narratives and they complete both short-term and long-term writing assignments.

There is also particular attention paid to research and teaching students to do their own independent research and research projects as described below, specifically through the use of digital resources.

In order to build writing skills, your 7th grader:

Introductions
Acknowledgements of opposing claims
Logical and orderly presentations of reasons and evidence
The use of appropriate transitions, words, and phrases to connect claims
A concluding sentence or paragraph which supports the argument made
A formal tone and style
Use supporting claims and evidence that are based on credible texts and resources
Include an introduction that has an explanation of what follows
Develop topics through the use of facts, detailed quotations, and examples and subject specific terms and definitions
Include transitions that connect concepts and paragraphs
Include a conclusion that supports the presented idea(s)
Maintain a formal “essay type” style
Integrate other forms of media and formats, such as graphs, charts, headings, and audio or video when appropriate
A narrator, characters, and a point of view
Descriptive detail and sensory language to describe characters, settings, and experiences
Dialogue details and descriptions of characters, setting, and experiences
A clear structure with a logical order and flow, as shown through the use of transition words
A conclusion that is connected to and builds on the narrative
Plans, revises, and edits writing, specifically with guidance from teachers and peers, focusing specifically on trying new approaches and making sure the writing has a purpose and appeals to its audience
Uses technology and the Internet to produce and publish writing
Works with others and cites sources
Works on multiple, short research projects that answer a specific question and cite multiple sources, while gathering additional questions for later research
Uses both print and digital resources to conduct research, focusing on using appropriate search terms and reliable sources
Uses quotes and a standard format for citation
Uses research to analyze and make inferences

Shop the best resources for seventh grade below! You can find all books and activities at The Scholastic Store .

Explore other grade guides:

Kindergarten
First Grade
Second Grade
Third Grade
Fourth Grade
Fifth Grade
Sixth Grade
Eighth Grade

Your Seventh Grade Book Checklist

How to write a perfect essay

Need to write an essay? Does the assignment feel as big as climbing Mount Everest? Fear not. You’re up to the challenge! The following step-by step tips from the Nat Geo Kids Almanac will help you with this monumental task.

Sometimes the subject matter of your essay is assigned to you, sometimes it’s not. Either way, you have to decide what you want to say. Start by brainstorming some ideas, writing down any thoughts you have about the subject. Then read over everything you’ve come up with and consider which idea you think is the strongest. Ask yourself what you want to write about the most. Keep in mind the goal of your essay. Can you achieve the goal of the assignment with this topic? If so, you’re good to go.

WRITE A TOPIC SENTENCE

This is the main idea of your essay, a statement of your thoughts on the subject. Again, consider the goal of your essay. Think of the topic sentence as an introduction that tells your reader what the rest of your essay will be about.

OUTLINE YOUR IDEAS

Once you have a good topic sentence, you then need to support that main idea with more detailed information, facts, thoughts, and examples. These supporting points answer one question about your topic sentence—“Why?” This is where research and perhaps more brainstorming come in. Then organize these points in the way you think makes the most sense, probably in order of importance. Now you have an outline for your essay.

ON YOUR MARK, GET SET, WRITE!

Follow your outline, using each of your supporting points as the topic sentence of its own paragraph. Use descriptive words to get your ideas across to the reader. Go into detail, using specific information to tell your story or make your point. Stay on track, making sure that everything you include is somehow related to the main idea of your essay. Use transitions to make your writing flow.

Finish your essay with a conclusion that summarizes your entire essay and 5 restates your main idea.

PROOFREAD AND REVISE

Check for errors in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and grammar. Look for ways to make your writing clear, understandable, and interesting. Use descriptive verbs, adjectives, or adverbs when possible. It also helps to have someone else read your work to point out things you might have missed. Then make the necessary corrections and changes in a second draft. Repeat this revision process once more to make your final draft as good as you can.

Download the pdf .

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7th grade writing

by: Hank Pellissier | Updated: August 4, 2022

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Your seventh grader’s writing under Common Core Standards

Seventh graders need to avoid dangling modifiers, hasty drafts, and plagiarism! They rewrite to tighten their writing. They critique each other’s essays to learn what’s vague or missing. Finally, they study phrases, clauses, and sentence structure.

Seeing both sides

Your young adult’s critical thinking skills will be put to use this year. In argument papers , students express their fact-based opinions. In a strong paper, they also acknowledge — and use facts to argue against — opposing viewpoints. Your seventh grader’s writing should demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the topic, use clear logic, and incorporate solid evidence from reputable sources .

Your child’s papers should be written in formal language, with clear introductions and concise conclusions that summarize their position. Sounds pretty adult, right? Never fear, assignments are often on tween-friendly social issues, such as Do middle schoolers spend too much time on Instagram ?

We formally inform you

Your seventh grader will also write informative and explanatory papers on science and social studies topics. They’ll be expected to employ a range of “strategy tools” such as:

Adding definitions for complex words or ideas.
Using academic vocabulary .
Adding concrete details.
Choosing quotations.
Comparing and contrasting concepts.
Citing cause-and-effect relationships.
Classifying information.
Formatting (e.g., headings, bullet points).
Including graphics (e.g., charts, images) and multimedia.

The language your child uses in these papers should be formal and precise. They should use transition words (e.g. so, if, for, as, and but ) and phrases (e.g. in view of these facts, under these particular circumstances ) to connect ideas and help their writing flow. Finally, your child write have a succinct synopsis as a conclusion.

Believe it.. or not?

Some of the most fun — and challenging — writing of the year will be narrative story assignments that portray actual events (e.g. memoirs, personal history ) or imagined experiences (e.g. fiction, fantasy ). Your child should experiment with effective storytelling techniques. These may include character development, plot twists and pacing, precise descriptions, tone of the narrator’s voice, crisp dialogue, and adventurous action. In class, kids will learn and practice transition vocabulary to help guide readers from one scene or timeframe to another (e.g. Meanwhile, back at the space station; Centuries earlier, when Brontosaurus first roamed the swamps… ).

Tear it apart and start again

Don’t be dismayed if your seventh grader is asked to replan, re-outline, revise, re-edit, and/or rewrite many of their papers. This isn’t perfectionism or punishment — it helps students sharpen the precision, complexity, pacing, and variation of their literary technique. “By the time I am nearing the end of a story,” says Roald Dahl, author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory , “the first part will have been reread and altered and corrected at least 150 times. …Good writing is essentially rewriting.”

Collaborating online

Seventh graders interact and collaborate online to create and publish writing that links to online sources. Regular online communication with teachers — often in Google docs and other sharing tools — is increasingly prevalent, along with emailing or uploading completed assignments. The challenge for kids? Believable replacements for the classic excuse: “My dog ate my homework.”

Understanding and avoiding cheating

Seventh grade is the year of short research projects using sources like reference books, magazines, and data found online. Your young researcher will learn how to judge the accuracy and credibility of their sources . (For example, Does MAD Magazine have the same integrity as the Boston Globe ? No!) Kids learn to paraphrase information and use quotes to avoid plagiarizing. To plagiarize is defined as “ to copy another person’s ideas, words or work and pretend that they are your own,” and it is a form of cheating that has reached epidemic proportions. Citing their work correctly is the antidote for this error. Papers should follow formats for citations and end with a bibliography.

Grammar with a capital G

Kids learn about phrases , defined as two or more words that express an idea but are not a complete thought or sentence because phrases don’t have a subject and a verb. Kids also learn two types of clauses . Dependent clauses have a subject and a verb and form part of a sentence. Independent clauses have a subject and a verb and create short, complete sentences inside larger sentences.

Seventh graders learn to recognize and use four kinds of sentences . Simple sentences have a single independent clause, with one subject and one verb, e.g., Harold eats pie . Compound sentences have two or more independent clauses, connected with a conjunction, e.g., Harold eats pie because it’s delicious . Complex sentences contain one independent clause and one dependent clause. e.g., Harold eats pie whether it’s hot or cold . Compound complex sentences have at least two independent clauses and one dependent clause. e.g., Jerry eats pie because it’s delicious whether it’s hot or cold .

The common mistake of dangling modifiers happens when modifying words are disconnected from the word they’re meant to modify or the attachment is vague. For example: Alice painted the turtle on the table. Did Alice paint a picture of a turtle on the table surface? Or did she paint the shell of the turtle itself? We’re just not sure.

Seventh graders also start to learn how to use commas correctly. Commas separate adjectives that are equal in value in terms of how they modify the word they describe. If you can reverse the order of the adjectives, then they are equal and you need a comma. For example, Jordana found a red, vintage bag at the thrift store . Since you could also describe it as a vintage, red bag, you need a comma. But you don’t need a comma in this sentence: Mateo wore a yellow rain jacket . Why? Because the reverse order — a rain yellow jacket — makes no sense (unless we’re talking about new species of wasp).

Speak up for the back row

A new focus for writing instruction is that writing should involve a lot of… talking. That’s right. Oral presentations will take center stage for many of your seventh grader’s assignments. The idea is to present their research-backed opinions, arguments, or ideas to their classmates aloud, using formal language, clear pronunciation, and at a volume loud enough for everyone in the class to hear. Kids’ presentations should be well-organized, share main points, and include relevant details and examples. Many presentations will include visual and multimedia displays. Again, it sounds like a lot, but it’s meant as practice to set your child up for real-world, on-the-job success in the future.

Here’s a preview of the presentation skills required in high school.

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Reader Profiles

Writing for 7th Grade Readers — Syntactic Stats

Sentence Length:

Average Sentence Length : 15-20 words
Range : A mix of shorter sentences ( 5-10 words ) and longer, more complex sentences ( 20-30 words )

Sentence Complexity:

Simple Sentences : About 30-40% of sentences
Compound Sentences : About 25-35% of sentences
Complex Sentences : About 20-30% of sentences
Compound-Complex Sentences : About 5-15% of sentences

Paragraph Structure:

Average Paragraph Length: 4-6 sentences

7th Grade Reading Rate:

Average reading rate is 150-200 words per minute , though this will vary based on individual differences and text complexity.

Word Length

Word length, measured by the number of letters in a word, also adds to text complexity. For 7th graders, you can see a variety of word lengths. Here’s a general breakdown:

Short Words (1-4 Letters) :

These make up a large portion of the text, around 50-60% .
Examples include “the,” “and,” “is,” “cat,” “jump.”

Medium-Length Words ( 5-7 Letters ):

These common words make up 30-40% of the text.
Examples include “brother,” “running,” “quickly.”

Long Words ( 8+ Letters ):

Roughly 5-10% may be longer, more complex words.
Examples include “community,” “entertainment,” “organization.”

Content-Specific Long Words :

In texts about subjects like science, history, or literature, students may encounter longer words specific to the content. These words may be explained or defined within the text.

Complexity of Themes and Topics :

The length of words may vary based on themes or topics. More advanced texts may include a higher proportion of longer words.

Impact on Readability :

Texts with a higher proportion of longer words may be more challenging to read. Be mindful of word length, sentence structure, and vocabulary to match texts to the appropriate reading level.

Vocabulary Development :

Educators may provide support for understanding and using longer words through instruction, context clues, and other strategies.

Correlation with Syllables :

Longer words often correlate with a higher number of syllables, adding to the phonetic complexity of the text.

Punctuation:

Commas, Periods, Question Marks : Regularly used
Colons, Semicolons : Introduced but less frequent
Parentheses, Dashes : Used sparingly for bonus information or emphasis

Vocabulary:

Tier 2 Vocabulary : High-utility, academic words that are sophisticated but not overly specialized
Some Tier 3 Vocabulary : Subject-specific or specialized words with explanation or context

Grammar and Syntax :

Varied Sentence Starters : Different ways to begin sentences (adverbs, conjunctions, prepositional phrases)
Subordination and Coordination : Use of subordinating and coordinating conjunctions to join clauses
Active and Passive Voice : Primarily active voice but with some passive constructions

Dialogue and Quotations :

Proper Use of Quotation Marks : For dialogues and direct quotations
Internal Dialogue Representation : May include characters’ thoughts or internal dialogues

Use of Figurative Language:

Similes and Metaphors : Commonly used for imagery
Personification, Onomatopoeia, Alliteration : Introduced and used to create literary effects

Narrative Techniques:

Varied Point of View : First person, third person limited, or omniscient point of view
Flashbacks or Foreshadowing : May be introduced for complex storytelling

Repeat Words vs. Unique Words

The ratio of unique words to repeat words in a text is known as lexical diversity , and it is an important aspect of text complexity. This ratio can vary widely based on the type of text, the subject matter, and the author’s style.

Unique Words :

Expect 20-30% of unique words in a text . This percentage might be higher in texts that cover specialized topics or use a rich and varied vocabulary.

Repeat Words :

The remaining 70-80% of words are repetitions previously used in the text. These repeat words include common function words (e.g., “the,” “and,” “is”) and content words essential to the text’s main themes or concepts.

Impact on Readability and Engagement :

A higher percentage of unique words might make a text engaging and intellectually stimulating, but could also make it challenging to read. Conversely, a higher percentage of repeat words can reinforce understanding but might make a text less engaging.

Content-Specific Vocabulary :

In subject-specific texts, such as science or history, you may find a higher percentage of unique words related to the subject. The author might repeat these words to reinforce understanding.

Literary Texts :

Literary texts, such as novels and poems, may have more unique words to create imagery, mood, and character. The repetition of words or phrases may also be used deliberately for effect.

Abbreviated Words

The percentage of abbreviations can vary significantly. Here are some general guidelines:

Fiction Texts :

Percentage : Approx. 1-3% .
Usage : Abbreviations in fiction are limited to dialogue or specific contexts where they would naturally occur.
Example : Common titles like “Mr.” or “Dr.,” or colloquial expressions.

Non-Fiction Texts :

Percentage : Approx. 3-5% .
Usage : In non-fiction, especially in subject areas like science or history, abbreviations and acronyms might be used more frequently.
Example : “U.S.” for United States, “WWII” for World War II, “DNA” for deoxyribonucleic acid.

Textbooks or Educational Materials :

Percentage : Varies, could be up to 5-10% .
Usage : Textbooks might use abbreviations for terms frequently repeated or when introducing specific concepts.
Example : “e.g.” for example, “i.e.” for that is, or subject-specific abbreviations like “kg” for kilograms.

Syllables also determine reading complexity and accessibility. Here’s a breakdown of what you might expect:

Average Syllables per Word :

Around 1.4 to 1.6 syllables. This reflects a mix of monosyllabic and multisyllabic words suitable for this grade level.

Use of Monosyllabic Words :

Around 60-70% of the words may be monosyllabic. These words form the core of English and are more familiar to students.

Use of Multisyllabic Words :

Roughly 30-40% of the words may have two or more syllables.

Within this category, you may find:

2-syllable words : 15-20%
3-syllable words : 8-12%
4 or more syllable words : 3-5%

Challenging Vocabulary :

Challenging words with three or more syllables may be introduced to stretch students’ vocabulary and reading comprehension. Words like: “unforgettable,” “disappointment,” or “entertainment.”

Content-specific Multisyllabic Words :

In subject-specific texts, such as science or history, students encounter multisyllabic terms like “photosynthesis” or “Constitution.” Definitions and explanations are often provided for these terms.

Poetic and Literary Texts :

In poetry or literary prose, syllables are varied to create rhythm, imagery, or emotional effect. These texts have more multisyllabic words and require more guidance and discussion to understand fully.

Reading Aloud and Phonics Support :

Reading aloud and phonics activities can assist 7th graders in tackling multisyllabic words by breaking them down into manageable parts.

The syllable structure helps strike a balance between readability and challenge. The blend of simpler and more complex words encourages students to expand their vocabulary and comprehension while providing accessible and engaging reading material.

Active Voice vs. Passive Voice

The balance between active and passive voice can affect its readability and engagement. Here’s a general guideline for what you might expect:

Active Voice :

Percentage : Around 70-90% .
Usage : Active voice is more direct and engaging. It’s preferred in storytelling and most non-fiction texts.
Example : “The scientist conducted the experiment,” instead of “The experiment was conducted by the scientist.”

Passive Voice :

Percentage : Around 20-30% .
Usage : Passive voice can be used to emphasize the action rather than the doer of the action. It might be more common in scientific writing or formal reports, where the focus is on the result or process.

Subject-Specific Considerations :

In science or formal academic writing, the passive voice might be used more frequently to create an objective tone.
In literature or general non-fiction, active voice is likely to predominate to create a more engaging and accessible style.

Teaching Considerations :

In 7th grade, students begin to distinct between active and passive voice and how to use each. They might be encouraged to use active voice in their writing but also to recognize situations where passive voice is appropriate.

Impact on Reading Comprehension :

Excessive use of passive voice can make a text more challenging to read, as it often requires more cognitive processing. However, some passive constructions are better for conveying specific meanings or adhering to a writing style.

Parts of Speech:

Nouns : 20-25% .
Verbs : 15-20% .
Adjectives : 10-15% .
Adverbs : 5-10% .
Conjunctions, Prepositions, Interjections : Varying percentages depending on writing style.

Proper Nouns:

The percentage of proper nouns in a text for 7th graders also varies depending on the genre, subject matter, and context of the text.

Percentage: 5-8% .
Use: This includes the names of characters, locations, specific events, etc.
Example: In a novel set in a real-world location, names of cities, landmarks, and people are common.
Percentage: 3-6% .
Use: historical names, brand names, scientific terminology, and so on.
Example: A history text might include names of significant individuals, places, and events.
Percentage: Varies, around 4-7% .
Use: Specific terms, names of theories, scientists, historical figures, and geographical locations.
Example: In a science textbook, names of scientists, theories, and specific terminologies are considered proper nouns.

Cultural and Contextual Considerations :

The frequency of proper nouns might influence cultural references and the subject matter.

Reading Comprehension and Engagement :

Too many unfamiliar proper nouns without context or explanation can hinder reading comprehension.
Percentage : 1-3% .
Length : Shorter numbers like dates, ages, or quantities.
Use : Numbers in fiction might relate to time, age, quantity, or other basic numerical information.
Percentage : 2-5% .
Length : Varies depending on the topic. Short numbers for general information, longer numbers for scientific or mathematical content.
Use : This could include dates, statistics, measurements, etc.

Textbooks or Educational Materials:

Percentage : Varies widely, from 5-15% or more, especially in mathematics or science texts.
Length : Can vary from simple, single-digit numbers to more complex numbers, including decimals, fractions, or large quantities.
Use : Numbers in educational texts could represent anything from simple counting to complex mathematical or scientific data.

General Considerations:

Comprehension : The complexity and frequency of numbers should match the readers’ numerical literacy. Long and complex numbers may be challenging for some 7th graders, depending on their math background.
Contextual Clues : Providing context or explanation for numbers, especially if they are central to understanding the content, is essential.
Subject-Specific Texts : In subjects like mathematics, physics, or economics, numbers will be more prevalent and can be more complex.
Cultural Considerations : Numbers might be influenced by cultural norms, such as the use of commas or periods in large numbers.

Dialogue vs. Description (for Fiction):

Dialogue : 40-60% (can vary widely based on author’s style and genre).
Description/Narration : 40-60% .

Text Cohesion:

Transition Words : Approximately 3-5% .

Vocabulary Stats

Here’s a breakdown of vocabulary for 7th-grade readers.

Vocabulary Size : Student know around 20,000 to 25,000 English words.
Lexile Range : Texts align with a Lexile measure 950L to 1075L , a measure of text complexity.
Academic Vocabulary : Students can understand and use 700-900 academic words across various subjects. Roughly, this could consist of:
Science : 150-200 words
Mathematics : 100-150 words
History : 150-200 words
Literature : 100-150 words
Reading Comprehension : 60-80% for age-appropriate material.
Words per Minute (WPM) : The average reading rate ranges from 150-200 WPM.
Morphological Understanding : Understanding complex words through Latin and Greek roots might cover around 300-500 common roots and affixes.

What is a 7th Grade Reading Level?

The reading level for 7th graders uses texts that contain sophisticated language, themes, and structures.

Sentence Structures : Sentences may include multiple clauses and higher-level punctuation. For example, “ While she studied for her history test, her brother, who had already finished his homework, played his favorite video game .”
Multifaceted Plotlines : Books may contain several intertwining plotlines or themes. An example is “ Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix ” by J.K. Rowling , where she introduces various storylines involving friendship, politics, magical education, and personal growth.
Abstract Ideas and Themes : Themes like moral ambiguity, identity, and self-discovery are explored. A novel like “ The Giver ” by Lois Lowry introduces concepts of utopia, memory, and societal control that provoke deeper thinking.
Use of Figurative Language : 7th graders are exposed to metaphors, similes, allegories, and symbolism. For instance, in “ A Wrinkle in Time ” by Madeleine L’Engle , the concept of the “tesseract” is used as a symbol to connect dimensions of space and time.
Vocabulary : Words outside of everyday language begin to appear in their reading. In “ The Hobbit ” by J.R.R. Tolkien , words like “flummoxed” and “beseech” are included, which may require the reader to use context clues or a dictionary.
Non-Fiction and Varied Genres : They might read historical accounts, scientific explanations, or biographical texts that require comprehension of factual information and more formal language. For example, “ Diary of a Young Girl ” by Anne Frank provides historical insight into World War II from a teenager’s viewpoint.
Author’s Craft : Readers in 7th grade start to identify literary devices such as irony, foreshadowing, or unreliable narrators. Edgar Allan Poe’s short stories, like “ The Tell-Tale Heart ,” exemplifies these techniques.

Teachers and caregivers might use a mix of classical literature, contemporary novels, and non-fiction texts to create a well-rounded reading experience.

7th Grade Vocabulary Overview

Word Recognition :

Complex Words : They can recognize and understand more complicated words that might be subject-specific or related to themes in literature, such as “democracy,” “metabolism,” or “foreshadowing.”
Multisyllabic Decoding : They can decode multisyllabic words by recognizing syllable patterns and using phonics skills.

Context Clues :

Inferencing Meaning : 7th grade readers can infer the meaning of unknown words by examining the surrounding text, looking for synonyms, antonyms, explanations, or examples in the context.

Word Roots, Prefixes, and Suffixes :

Morphological Awareness : Readers begin to understand common word roots and affixes (prefixes and suffixes), enabling them to deduce the meanings of unfamiliar words. For example, knowing that “tele” means distant can help with words like “telescope” or “telecommunication.”

Domain-Specific Vocabulary :

Subject-Related Terms : They can comprehend vocabulary specific to subjects like science, history, or literature. For example, in science, words like “photosynthesis” or “ecosystem” become part of their vocabulary.

Synonyms and Antonyms :

Expression : They can identify synonyms and antonyms, allowing for expression and understanding of nuances in meaning. They might recognize that “benevolent” is a synonym for “kind,” but with a slightly different connotation.

Figurative Language :

Idioms and Metaphors : They begin to understand figurative expressions, such as idioms, metaphors, and similes. They can interpret phrases like “break a leg” or understand metaphorical comparisons like “the world is a stage.”

Writing and Speaking :

Expressive Vocabulary : They can apply new vocabulary in their writing and speaking, enhancing their ability to communicate ideas more precisely and creatively.

Reference Materials :

Dictionary and Thesaurus Skills : They are adept at using dictionaries, thesauruses, and online tools to look up unfamiliar words, understand multiple meanings, and find synonyms and antonyms.

Vocabulary in Different Contexts :

Adapting Language : They can adjust their language based on the context, recognizing the difference between formal and informal language, and choosing words accordingly.

Cultural and Global Awareness :

Exposure to diverse reading materials can help them understand words and expressions from various cultural backgrounds, fostering global awareness.

Overall, 7th-grade readers’ vocabulary skills reflect a move towards greater complexity, nuance, and adaptability. This development supports their ability to comprehend more sophisticated texts, engage in critical thinking, and express themselves with greater clarity and creativity.

7th Grade Word Usage

The word usage reflects a growing command of language that allows for more nuanced and expressive communication.

Complex Sentence Structure :

Compound and Complex Sentences : They are beginning to use more compound and complex sentences, combining ideas using conjunctions like “although,” “however,” and “therefore.”
Varied Sentence Openings : They can vary sentence beginnings to create interest and rhythm in their writing.

Descriptive Language :

Adjectives and Adverbs : They can use adjectives and adverbs to provide more detailed descriptions, such as “ The swiftly flowing river wound through the lush, green valley .”
Sensory Details : They are developing the ability to use sensory details to create vivid imagery in their writing.
Similes and Metaphors : They may use similes and metaphors to add depth to their writing, such as comparing ideas or feelings to something tangible. E.g., “Her smile was as bright as the sun.”
Idiomatic Expressions : They can begin to use idioms in their speech and writing, understanding their figurative meanings.

Formal vs. Informal Language :

Understanding Register : They can recognize when to use formal language in academic or professional settings and informal language with friends or family. For example, using “cannot” instead of “can’t” in a formal essay.

Subject-Specific Vocabulary :

Appropriate Usage : They are learning to use subject-specific vocabulary in subjects like science, history, or mathematics, understanding when and how to use these terms accurately.

Persuasive Language :

Rhetorical Devices : They may begin to experiment with rhetorical devices like rhetorical questions, repetition, or parallel structure to persuade or engage their audience.

Transition Words and Phrases :

Cohesiveness : They use transition words and phrases to guide the reader through their ideas and show connections between thoughts, such as “in addition,” “on the other hand,” or “as a result.”

Pronoun Consistency :

Proper Use of Pronouns : They usually demonstrate an understanding of pronoun-antecedent agreement, ensuring that pronouns match in number and gender with the nouns they refer to.

Connotation and Tone :

Word Choice for Effect : They can choose words for their connotative meanings, understanding how word choice can affect the tone and mood of a piece. For example, using “slim” instead of “skinny” to convey a more positive tone.

7th Grade Word Usage Challenges

Complex Multisyllabic Words :

Examples : “Photosynthesis,” “apprehension,” “circumference.”
Challenge : The length and complexity of these words can make pronunciation and understanding difficult.

Homonyms, Homophones, and Homographs:

Words that sound or look the same but have different meanings can be confusing in both reading and writing.

Examples : “lead” (to guide) vs. “lead” (a type of metal), “two” vs. “too” vs. “to.”

Technical and Subject-Specific Vocabulary:

These terms are often new and specific to subjects such as science, literature, or mathematics, requiring context and background knowledge.

Examples : “mitosis,” “allegory,” “quadratic.”

Words with Uncommon or Irregular Spellings:

Unusual or non-phonetic spelling can make these words difficult to read, spell, and remember.

Examples : “pneumonia,” “rhythm,” “colonel.”

Advanced Abstract Concepts:

Words that represent complex, abstract ideas may require higher-level thinking and context to fully grasp.

Examples : “existential,” “philosophy,” “dichotomy.”

Idiomatic Expressions and Figurative Language:

These phrases often cannot be understood literally, and understanding them requires familiarity with cultural context.

Examples : “Bite the bullet,” “the ball is in your court.”

Background Knowledge or Cultural Awareness:

Without prior knowledge or context, these words might be challenging to comprehend.

Examples : Names of historical events, cultural terms like “samurai” or “Renaissance.”

Words with Multiple Meanings:

Choosing the correct meaning based on context requires careful reading and understanding.

Examples : “light” (not heavy vs. illumination), “bark” (of a tree vs. a dog’s sound).

Formal and Archaic Language:

Readers will see these confusing words in classical literature.

Examples : “thou,” “whence,” “heretofore.”

Language with Emotional or Social Nuance:

Words that convey subtle social or emotional nuances might require maturity and social awareness to fully understand.

Examples : “sarcasm,” “empathy,” “prejudice.”

Foreign Words and Phrases:

Words and phrases borrowed from other languages may be unfamiliar and require explanation.

Examples : “déjà vu,” “cliché,” “tsunami.”

Words that Break Standard Phonics Rules:

These words don’t follow typical sound-letter correspondence, making them tricky to read and spell.

Examples : “through,” “though,” “knight.”

The best syntactic writing style for 7th graders strikes a balance between complexity and clarity. It challenges readers to grow their comprehension and analytical skills without overwhelming them. By using a mix of sentence types, appropriate vocabulary, and clear organization, writers can create engaging and educational texts for this age group.

Writing for 3rd Grade Readers — Syntactic Stats

Writing for 1st Grade Readers — Syntactic Stats

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How to Write A 7th Grade Level Essay

In seventh grade, your child is now in the middle of their academic career. They have spent a long time developing a great number of skills, and their writing skills are no different. They are going to start writing more sophisticated and challenging pieces this year, and the writing prompts are going to be more challenging moving forward. Their prompts are also going to be less separated into categories; there may be a number of ways to answer a prompt, depending on the specific assignment.

Here are some examples for the kinds of writing prompts your child may see in seventh grade:

Write about a time when you could tell you had let someone down. How did you feel? This is a good opportunity to write a narrative essay. Explaining the events with dialogue can be especially impactful here, detailing what happened, with whom, and what was said in dialogue.
Write a review about the most recent movie or TV show you loved and try to convince other people to see it. This would be a persuasive response, along with a good deal of informative writing. Your child will have to describe the show, why they like it, and why it would be a good idea for others to see it. They may talk about the show’s messages, the artistry of the film, or even the importance of it in popular culture.
Write a poem about the way you feel when you sit down to take a test. This is a prompt that asks your child to exercise their creative skills, while tapping into their narrative writing. This particular prompt can even be a helpful window for you to see how your child feels about tests and whether they are starting to experience any testing anxieties. Their poems should make use of literary devices they’ve learned about like similes and metaphors, but can also be quite abstract at this level.

If your child is struggling with writing prompts or with writing in general, it may be a good idea to enroll them in Reading Genie. The teachers at Reading Genie give your child kind and helpful feedback, building their skills along with their confidence. The prompts at Reading Genie are fun and engaging, and your child will have the opportunity to share their work with their classmates for peer reviews.

You can also work on writing prompts with your child at home. Even just discussing the ideas and questions in the prompts can be helpful for your child to better understand what they need to do and what they need to think about in the future. You can even have fun with the prompts, too!

Genie Academy offers a range of after-school educational activities for students, encompassing areas such as mathematics, reading, writing, and coding. Spread across New Jersey, including a location in Plainsboro , these programs are specifically crafted for students from Pre-Kindergarten to 8th grade.

Source: https://www.journalbuddies.com/prompts-by-grade/7th-grade-writing-ideas/

Topics: Essays , Writing Skills , Writing Stlyes , Seventh Grade , Writing Prompt

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Writing Prompts for 7th Grade

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By seventh grade, students should be refining the core writing skills of brainstorming , researching, outlining, drafting, and revising. In order to hone these skills, seventh-grade students need regular practice writing a variety of essay styles, including narrative, persuasive, expository , and creative essays. The following essay prompts offer age-appropriate starting points to help seventh graders flex their writing muscles.

Narrative Essay Writing Prompts

Narrative essays share a personal experience to tell a story, usually to make a point rather than merely to entertain. These narrative essay prompts encourage students to describe and reflect on a story that's meaningful to them.

Embarrassing Pasts - As people get older, they are sometimes embarrassed by things they used to like, such as toys, television shows, or nicknames. Describe something that you used to enjoy that you now find embarrassing. Why is it embarrassing now?
Bonds of Hardship - Sometimes difficulties draw families closer. Describe something that your family endured together that strengthened your relationships.
There’s No Place Like Home - What makes your hometown special? Explain this special quality.
New Kid in Town - Being new to a town or school can be challenging because you don’t know anyone, or exciting because no one knows you and your past. Describe a time when you were the new kid.
Finders Keepers - Write about a time when you lost (or found) something of value. How did that experience affect your opinion of the saying, “Finders keepers; losers weepers?"
Follow the Leader - Describe a time when you were in a leadership role. How did it make you feel? What did you learn from the experience?
April Fools - Write about the best prank you’ve ever played on someone (or had played on you). What made it so clever or funny?
Bon Appetit - Special meals can be powerful memory-makers. Write about a specific meal that stands out in your memory. What made it so unforgettable?
Bon Voyage - Family trips and vacations also create lasting memories. Write an essay detailing your favorite family vacation memory.
Batter Up - Write about a valuable lesson that you learned while playing your favorite sport.
Best Friends Forever - Describe your friendship with your BFF and what makes it so important to you.
The Real Me - What is one thing you wish your parents, teachers, or coaches really understood or knew about you?
TV - Explain what makes your favorite television show so enjoyable or relatable to you.

Persuasive Essay Writing Prompts

Persuasive essays use facts and reasoning to convince the reader to embrace the writer’s opinion or take a course of action. These essay prompts empower seventh graders to write persuasively about an issue they genuinely care about.

Outdated Laws - What is one law or family or school rule that you think needs to be changed? Convince lawmakers, your parents, or school leaders to make the change.
Bad Ads - Advertising can have a powerful impact on consumers. What is a product that you’ve seen advertised that you don’t think should be? Explain why the media should quit showing these ads.
Puppy Love - You want a pet, but your parents don’t think you need one. What would you say to change their minds?
Lights, Camera - What is your favorite book of all time? Write an essay convincing a producer to make a movie about it.
Snooze Button - Studies have shown that tweens and teens need more sleep. Write a proposal for a later school start time.
Body Shop - Magazines can negatively impact their readers’ body image by using edited images of models. Convince a teen magazine publisher that they should not use heavily-edited model images in their publication.
It Can’t Be Over - The network is canceling your favorite television show. Write a paper convincing the station that they’re making a mistake.
Curfews - Some malls have policies forbidding kids under 18 to be at the mall without adult supervision during certain times. Do you think this is fair or unfair? Defend your position.
Team Spirit - Should homeschooled students be allowed to play sports on public or private school teams? Why or why not?
Smartphones - All of your friends have the latest smartphone, but you only have a “dumb phone.” Should your parents upgrade your phone, or are smartphones for middle school kids a bad idea?
Bullies - Some dogs, such as pit bulls or Dobermans, are labeled “bully breeds.” Is this label deserved or undeserved?
Money Can’t Buy You Love - People say that money can’t buy happiness, but some studies have shown that people with higher incomes may be happier . Do you think this is true? Why or why not?
Ratings - There are age restrictions on movies and video games, ratings on television shows, and warning labels on music. Computers and smartphones offer parental controls. Do adults have too much control over what kids watch and listen to or do these restrictions serve a valuable purpose?

Expository Essay Writing Prompts

Expository essays describe a process or provide factual information. These prompts can serve as jumping-off points for the explanatory process.

School’s in Session - Would you rather attend public school, private school, or be homeschooled. Explain the benefits of your choice.
Admiration - Who do you admire from your life or history? Write an essay describing how their character or contributions to their community have earned your respect.
Global Community - If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live? Write about your dream hometown and why you want to live there.
Peer Problems - Peer pressure and bullying can make life as a middle school student difficult. Describe a time you were pressured or bullied and how it affected you.
Order Up - A friend wants to learn how to make your favorite food. Detail the process, step-by-step, so your friend can recreate the dish.
Addictions - Many people are impacted by drug or alcohol addictions. Share facts about how the use of these substances negatively affects families or communities.
Serve Others - Community service is a valuable experience. Describe a time you volunteered. What did you do and how did it make you feel?
City or Country Mouse - Do you live in a big city or a small town? Explain why you do or don’t like living there.
Aspirations - What do you want to be when you’re an adult? Explain why you’d choose that career or what you’ll do to prepare for it.
Point in Time - Sometimes people bury time capsules so future generations can learn about the past. What would you include to give an accurate snapshot of life in the current time?
Hobbyist - You’re friend wants to take up your favorite hobby. Explain it to him.
SOS - A natural disaster has destroyed homes and businesses in a nearby city. Describe what you can do to help.
Wonder Twin Power - Some superheroes can fly or become invisible. If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

Creative Essay Writing Prompts

Creative essays are fictional stories. They use plot, character, and dialog to engage and entertain the reader. These prompts will get the creative juices flowing.

Fan Fic - Write a story about your favorite characters from a book, film, or television show.
Cats vs. Dogs - You have two pets of different species. Write a story from their point of view about a day at home alone.
Time Travel - You find a time machine in your backyard. What happens when you step inside?
Dream State - Think about a time when you woke in the middle of a vivid dream. What would have happened if the dream hadn’t been interrupted?
New Door - You’ve just discovered a door that you’ve never seen before. What happens when you walk through it?
Secret Keeper - You find out your best friend has kept a secret from you. What is the secret and why didn’t your friend tell you?
Fridge Fun - Write a story from the perspective of an item in your refrigerator.
Desert Island - You’ve just discovered an uncharted island. What happens next?
Fly on the Wall - You see two people talking excitedly, but you can’t hear what they’re saying. Write a story about what they might be saying.
Special Delivery - You receive a battered package in the mail. Write a story about its journey from the sender to you.
A Mile in My Shoes - You find a pair of shoes in the thrift store and put them on. Suddenly you find yourself transported into someone else’s life. Describe what happens.
Mission to Mars - Imagine that you’re a pioneer to start a colony on Mars. Write about a typical day on your new planet.
Snow Days - You find yourself snowed in for a week with your family. There is no electricity or phone service. What do you do for fun?
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How long should the average 7th grade essay be?

by The Alchemy Team

Just starting out year 7 and want to be the most prepared for your first high school English class? Confused about the expectations for your first essay assignment?

Look no further. This article will answer all the frequently asked questions on how to structure an essay.

How long should my essay be?

Essay assignments often have a word count guide you need to follow. But in the case of an in-class essay test, here is a rough guideline: within a standard 40-minute time frame, you should aim for an introduction, 2 TEEL body paragraphs and a conclusion.

What do I put in the introduction? How long should it be?

Your introduction should only be 3-4 sentences. Get straight to the point within your opening sentence. The best openings demonstrate you have clearly planned your arguments. So before starting to write, it is crucial you take 5 minutes to think of your argument and plan out how you will support them in the body paragraphs. Then, the first sentence just needs to offer your direct response to the question itself.

Tip : To make sure you are properly addressing the question, use synonyms or words directly from the question itself in your thesis statement.

How long should each body paragraph be?

Always think back to the TEEL structure as you are writing the body paragraphs. Each paragraph should have:

Topic sentence – clearly identify your argument. (1 sentence)
Example – quote at least one example from the text. Make sure this quote has been chosen strategically to best support your argument. Remember to use quotation marks. (1 sentence)
Elaboration – analyse the quote. Did the author use a certain technique? What can be extracted from this example to prove the argument you are trying to say? (2-3 sentences)
Link – connect the discussion back to the topic sentence to further emphasise the idea in this paragraph. (1 sentence)

What goes in the conclusion?

Your conclusion only needs to be 2-3 sentences long. It offers your final answer to the question. You can summarise the 2 main ideas you analysed in the 2 body paragraphs and offer your final judgement about your interpretation of the question.

I’ve followed these guidelines and finished early. What should I do?

Proofread – check there are no spelling, grammar or punctuation errors.
Check the style – did you avoid using conversational or slang words such as ‘like’?
Did you use speech marks to quote your examples?

Hopefully, essay writing now seems less intimidating. Remember, the best way to prepare is to just practise. Practise using these guidelines to structure your next essay and you will notice big improvement in no time.

By Brittanie Hsu, an Alchemy tutor

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How to Write an Essay Introduction (with Examples)  

The introduction of an essay plays a critical role in engaging the reader and providing contextual information about the topic. It sets the stage for the rest of the essay, establishes the tone and style, and motivates the reader to continue reading.

What is an essay introduction , what to include in an essay introduction, how to create an essay structure , step-by-step process for writing an essay introduction , how to write an introduction paragraph , how to write a hook for your essay , how to include background information , how to write a thesis statement .

Argumentative Essay Introduction Example:
Expository Essay Introduction Example

Literary Analysis Essay Introduction Example

Check and revise – checklist for essay introduction , key takeaways , frequently asked questions .

An introduction is the opening section of an essay, paper, or other written work. It introduces the topic and provides background information, context, and an overview of what the reader can expect from the rest of the work. 1 The key is to be concise and to the point, providing enough information to engage the reader without delving into excessive detail.

The essay introduction is crucial as it sets the tone for the entire piece and provides the reader with a roadmap of what to expect. Here are key elements to include in your essay introduction:

Hook : Start with an attention-grabbing statement or question to engage the reader. This could be a surprising fact, a relevant quote, or a compelling anecdote.
Background information : Provide context and background information to help the reader understand the topic. This can include historical information, definitions of key terms, or an overview of the current state of affairs related to your topic.
Thesis statement : Clearly state your main argument or position on the topic. Your thesis should be concise and specific, providing a clear direction for your essay.

Before we get into how to write an essay introduction, we need to know how it is structured. The structure of an essay is crucial for organizing your thoughts and presenting them clearly and logically. It is divided as follows: 2

Introduction:  The introduction should grab the reader’s attention with a hook, provide context, and include a thesis statement that presents the main argument or purpose of the essay.
Body:  The body should consist of focused paragraphs that support your thesis statement using evidence and analysis. Each paragraph should concentrate on a single central idea or argument and provide evidence, examples, or analysis to back it up.
Conclusion:  The conclusion should summarize the main points and restate the thesis differently. End with a final statement that leaves a lasting impression on the reader. Avoid new information or arguments.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to write an essay introduction:

Start with a Hook : Begin your introduction paragraph with an attention-grabbing statement, question, quote, or anecdote related to your topic. The hook should pique the reader’s interest and encourage them to continue reading.
Provide Background Information : This helps the reader understand the relevance and importance of the topic.
State Your Thesis Statement : The last sentence is the main argument or point of your essay. It should be clear, concise, and directly address the topic of your essay.
Preview the Main Points : This gives the reader an idea of what to expect and how you will support your thesis.
Keep it Concise and Clear : Avoid going into too much detail or including information not directly relevant to your topic.
Revise : Revise your introduction after you’ve written the rest of your essay to ensure it aligns with your final argument.

Here’s an example of an essay introduction paragraph about the importance of education:

Education is often viewed as a fundamental human right and a key social and economic development driver. As Nelson Mandela once famously said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” It is the key to unlocking a wide range of opportunities and benefits for individuals, societies, and nations. In today’s constantly evolving world, education has become even more critical. It has expanded beyond traditional classroom learning to include digital and remote learning, making education more accessible and convenient. This essay will delve into the importance of education in empowering individuals to achieve their dreams, improving societies by promoting social justice and equality, and driving economic growth by developing a skilled workforce and promoting innovation.

This introduction paragraph example includes a hook (the quote by Nelson Mandela), provides some background information on education, and states the thesis statement (the importance of education).

This is one of the key steps in how to write an essay introduction. Crafting a compelling hook is vital because it sets the tone for your entire essay and determines whether your readers will stay interested. A good hook draws the reader in and sets the stage for the rest of your essay.

Avoid Dry Fact : Instead of simply stating a bland fact, try to make it engaging and relevant to your topic. For example, if you’re writing about the benefits of exercise, you could start with a startling statistic like, “Did you know that regular exercise can increase your lifespan by up to seven years?”
Avoid Using a Dictionary Definition : While definitions can be informative, they’re not always the most captivating way to start an essay. Instead, try to use a quote, anecdote, or provocative question to pique the reader’s interest. For instance, if you’re writing about freedom, you could begin with a quote from a famous freedom fighter or philosopher.
Do Not Just State a Fact That the Reader Already Knows : This ties back to the first point—your hook should surprise or intrigue the reader. For Here’s an introduction paragraph example, if you’re writing about climate change, you could start with a thought-provoking statement like, “Despite overwhelming evidence, many people still refuse to believe in the reality of climate change.”

Including background information in the introduction section of your essay is important to provide context and establish the relevance of your topic. When writing the background information, you can follow these steps:

Start with a General Statement:  Begin with a general statement about the topic and gradually narrow it down to your specific focus. For example, when discussing the impact of social media, you can begin by making a broad statement about social media and its widespread use in today’s society, as follows: “Social media has become an integral part of modern life, with billions of users worldwide.”
Define Key Terms : Define any key terms or concepts that may be unfamiliar to your readers but are essential for understanding your argument.
Provide Relevant Statistics:  Use statistics or facts to highlight the significance of the issue you’re discussing. For instance, “According to a report by Statista, the number of social media users is expected to reach 4.41 billion by 2025.”
Discuss the Evolution:  Mention previous research or studies that have been conducted on the topic, especially those that are relevant to your argument. Mention key milestones or developments that have shaped its current impact. You can also outline some of the major effects of social media. For example, you can briefly describe how social media has evolved, including positives such as increased connectivity and issues like cyberbullying and privacy concerns.
Transition to Your Thesis:  Use the background information to lead into your thesis statement, which should clearly state the main argument or purpose of your essay. For example, “Given its pervasive influence, it is crucial to examine the impact of social media on mental health.”

A thesis statement is a concise summary of the main point or claim of an essay, research paper, or other type of academic writing. It appears near the end of the introduction. Here’s how to write a thesis statement:

Identify the topic:  Start by identifying the topic of your essay. For example, if your essay is about the importance of exercise for overall health, your topic is “exercise.”
State your position:  Next, state your position or claim about the topic. This is the main argument or point you want to make. For example, if you believe that regular exercise is crucial for maintaining good health, your position could be: “Regular exercise is essential for maintaining good health.”
Support your position:  Provide a brief overview of the reasons or evidence that support your position. These will be the main points of your essay. For example, if you’re writing an essay about the importance of exercise, you could mention the physical health benefits, mental health benefits, and the role of exercise in disease prevention.
Make it specific:  Ensure your thesis statement clearly states what you will discuss in your essay. For example, instead of saying, “Exercise is good for you,” you could say, “Regular exercise, including cardiovascular and strength training, can improve overall health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.”

Examples of essay introduction

Here are examples of essay introductions for different types of essays:

Argumentative Essay Introduction Example:

Topic: Should the voting age be lowered to 16?

“The question of whether the voting age should be lowered to 16 has sparked nationwide debate. While some argue that 16-year-olds lack the requisite maturity and knowledge to make informed decisions, others argue that doing so would imbue young people with agency and give them a voice in shaping their future.”

Expository Essay Introduction Example

Topic: The benefits of regular exercise

“In today’s fast-paced world, the importance of regular exercise cannot be overstated. From improving physical health to boosting mental well-being, the benefits of exercise are numerous and far-reaching. This essay will examine the various advantages of regular exercise and provide tips on incorporating it into your daily routine.”

Text: “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee

“Harper Lee’s novel, ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ is a timeless classic that explores themes of racism, injustice, and morality in the American South. Through the eyes of young Scout Finch, the reader is taken on a journey that challenges societal norms and forces characters to confront their prejudices. This essay will analyze the novel’s use of symbolism, character development, and narrative structure to uncover its deeper meaning and relevance to contemporary society.”

Engaging and Relevant First Sentence : The opening sentence captures the reader’s attention and relates directly to the topic.
Background Information : Enough background information is introduced to provide context for the thesis statement.
Definition of Important Terms : Key terms or concepts that might be unfamiliar to the audience or are central to the argument are defined.
Clear Thesis Statement : The thesis statement presents the main point or argument of the essay.
Relevance to Main Body : Everything in the introduction directly relates to and sets up the discussion in the main body of the essay.

Writing a strong introduction is crucial for setting the tone and context of your essay. Here are the key takeaways for how to write essay introduction: 3

Hook the Reader : Start with an engaging hook to grab the reader’s attention. This could be a compelling question, a surprising fact, a relevant quote, or an anecdote.
Provide Background : Give a brief overview of the topic, setting the context and stage for the discussion.
Thesis Statement : State your thesis, which is the main argument or point of your essay. It should be concise, clear, and specific.
Preview the Structure : Outline the main points or arguments to help the reader understand the organization of your essay.
Keep it Concise : Avoid including unnecessary details or information not directly related to your thesis.
Revise and Edit : Revise your introduction to ensure clarity, coherence, and relevance. Check for grammar and spelling errors.
Seek Feedback : Get feedback from peers or instructors to improve your introduction further.

The purpose of an essay introduction is to give an overview of the topic, context, and main ideas of the essay. It is meant to engage the reader, establish the tone for the rest of the essay, and introduce the thesis statement or central argument.

An essay introduction typically ranges from 5-10% of the total word count. For example, in a 1,000-word essay, the introduction would be roughly 50-100 words. However, the length can vary depending on the complexity of the topic and the overall length of the essay.

An essay introduction is critical in engaging the reader and providing contextual information about the topic. To ensure its effectiveness, consider incorporating these key elements: a compelling hook, background information, a clear thesis statement, an outline of the essay’s scope, a smooth transition to the body, and optional signposting sentences.

The process of writing an essay introduction is not necessarily straightforward, but there are several strategies that can be employed to achieve this end. When experiencing difficulty initiating the process, consider the following techniques: begin with an anecdote, a quotation, an image, a question, or a startling fact to pique the reader’s interest. It may also be helpful to consider the five W’s of journalism: who, what, when, where, why, and how. For instance, an anecdotal opening could be structured as follows: “As I ascended the stage, momentarily blinded by the intense lights, I could sense the weight of a hundred eyes upon me, anticipating my next move. The topic of discussion was climate change, a subject I was passionate about, and it was my first public speaking event. Little did I know , that pivotal moment would not only alter my perspective but also chart my life’s course.”

Crafting a compelling thesis statement for your introduction paragraph is crucial to grab your reader’s attention. To achieve this, avoid using overused phrases such as “In this paper, I will write about” or “I will focus on” as they lack originality. Instead, strive to engage your reader by substantiating your stance or proposition with a “so what” clause. While writing your thesis statement, aim to be precise, succinct, and clear in conveying your main argument.

To create an effective essay introduction, ensure it is clear, engaging, relevant, and contains a concise thesis statement. It should transition smoothly into the essay and be long enough to cover necessary points but not become overwhelming. Seek feedback from peers or instructors to assess its effectiveness.

References

Cui, L. (2022). Unit 6 Essay Introduction.  Building Academic Writing Skills .
West, H., Malcolm, G., Keywood, S., & Hill, J. (2019). Writing a successful essay.  Journal of Geography in Higher Education ,  43 (4), 609-617.
Beavers, M. E., Thoune, D. L., & McBeth, M. (2023). Bibliographic Essay: Reading, Researching, Teaching, and Writing with Hooks: A Queer Literacy Sponsorship. College English, 85(3), 230-242.

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How Long Should My Academic Essay Be?

When you're given an academic essay assignment, it's easy to feel overwhelmed—especially if English is your second language or you have limited experience with academic writing. Academic essays can range from a few paragraphs to book-length dissertations, so the scope of expectations varies widely based on the school you're attending, the class you're taking, the departmental expectations, and (most especially) the professor giving you the assignment.

However, if you're new to academic essay writing and are stressing over the length it should be, keep in mind that in most situations, your questions will be answered by your professor or the admissions committee assigning you the essay in the first place. When an assignment is given, some professors are very specific on their expectations, including what they expect the word count to be.

When an assignment is given, some professors are very specific on their expectations, including what they expect the word or page count to be.

For most assignments, you'll likely be given guidelines based on word count (for example, 1,000 to 1,200 words) or page count (3 to 5 pages, double-spaced). You might also be given guidelines on the citation format to use, how many sources you should have, and even the publication date range of those sources. Some professors like to be extremely specific on their expectations for each academic essay assignment, while others might be more lenient and less structured in their guidelines. And of course, these guidelines will vary based on the type of academic essay and its purpose.

General guidelines for essay length

Middle school.

Academic essay assignments typically start in middle school in the American education system and fall within the range of 300 to 800 words. In these grades, you'll be learning the basic 5-paragraph essay structure, which includes an introduction, a thesis statement, the body, and a conclusion. In the typical 5-paragraph essay format, the first paragraph should be the introduction, the second through fourth paragraphs should be the body of the essay, and the fifth paragraph should be the conclusion. In very rare instances would your introduction or conclusion take up more than one paragraph for these types of essays.

High school

In high school, you'll still likely need to write a 5-paragraph essay, although some teachers (especially English and Language Arts) will start to require longer essays (3 to 5 pages). This is to prepare you for the rigor of academic writing that you'll be fine-tuning in college. In these essays, you will still have the basic format of introduction, body and conclusion; however, you'll expand the body to more thoroughly explore or explain a topic. The conclusion of your 3 to 5-page essay will likely still fall within one paragraph, although the introduction might be more than one, depending on the topic.

University (Undergraduate level)

Once you get admitted into an undergraduate program, the length of your academic essay assignments will vary significantly, depending on the classes you take and the departments you take them in. You'll also encounter classes that require academic essays of varying length as the semester progresses, with a longer essay due as the final assignment for a greater percentage of the class grade. In most cases, these longer academic writing assignments will be structured in such a way in that parts of the essay assignment must be turned in at different times, with all sections being put together as a final paper.

For example, in an advanced-level English class, your professor might assign multiple shorter essays of 5 to 7 pages (or 1,500 to 2,100 words) and one final essay that explores a topic in more depth at 8 to 10 pages (or 2,400 to 3,000 words). Another class, such as a core curriculum survey course, might require fewer essays or more journal prompt-type writing assignments.

University (Graduate level)

Much the same as the undergraduate level of college, graduate-level academic writing assignments will vary based on several factors, such as the professor, the course, the department, and the program of study. One university program might require extensive writing while another might be more lab-based or hands-on experience.

Graduate level is also where you're likely to first encounter "thesis" and "dissertation" academic writing assignments, which can go up to 100,000 words or more. These types of assignments obviously require extensive planning, research, and writing time, but you'll likely be given very specific word count and citation requirements when being assigned the paper to write.

Graduate level writing is significantly more involved than the 5-paragraph essay format and contains elements such as sections related to a review of literature, background of the topic/theoretical framework, methodology of research, and your specific findings. These separate sections might have their own word count limits and requirements, with some requiring significantly more time and writing than others. As with some undergraduate assignments, you might be asked to submit these academic writing assignments in stages or sections, including a proposal, a list of your sources, etc.

Beyond word and page count

Even if you stay within a certain word or page count that is required for an academic writing assignment, you could still receive a poor grade for not using that count wisely. For example, it's possible to write a 3 to 5-paragraph paper that is disorganized and illogical, in the same sense that an 8-page essay might have the same faults.

Here are some important guidelines to follow when writing an academic essay, regardless of the word count required:

Always carefully outline before you begin writing. An outline will help you cover everything that should be covered and ensure that you've included all of the required parts of the essay (introduction, thesis statement, etc.)
Never allow your academic essay writing style to appear rambling, off-topic, or full of "filler" words. While the topic you're writing about might be new to you, your professor will likely know it extensively and will be able to tell if you're writing just to fill space.
Do your best to avoid hedging. Hedging is when you essentially dance around a topic with vague statements but never have an actual stance on it. In most forms of academic writing, you're expected to make a clear assumption or thesis statement and then back up your claim with solid research and/or data.

It's important to avoid vague statements or ambiguity in your academic essay writing.

So, can I go over or under word count?

Ultimately, it will always be in your best interest to stay within word count requirements given to you on assignments. Word count or page count limits are given to you for a reason—your professor knows exactly how in-depth you can explore a topic or topics given that word count restriction. If you find that you are significantly under word count when you've completed your writing assignment, it's likely that you haven't explored the topic to the depth expected of you by your instructor. A poor or failing grade might be the result, as it will be clear to your professor that you either didn't understand the topic or didn't take the time needed to research it correctly.

Some professors will allow word count that is over suggested limits a lot more readily than word count that is under them. However, keep in mind that if you have gone significantly over word count in your academic essay assignment, it's always a good idea to ask your teacher if this is acceptable. He or she might have such a heavy student and research load that they are simply unable to read hundreds of essays that are over the suggested word count limit, and might be forced to stop reading once you've reached it. This means that important parts of your writing will not be read and could affect your teacher's grade choice for the assignments.

This is also true for college admissions essay assignments. Admissions committees might be reading the essays of thousands of applicants and need those writers to stay within word count restrictions for the sake of time and logistics. Allowing one applicant to write extensively more could also put that applicant at an unfair advantage, so word count restrictions should always be followed. For a more in-depth look at what you should and shouldn't do on your college admissions essay, check out this article on writing a college admissions essay that stands out from the crowd .

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When I look back to my first experience teaching five paragraph essays to fifth graders, I can remember how terribly unprepared I felt.

I knew that the five paragraph essay format was what my students needed to help them pass our state’s writing assessment but I had no idea where to start.

I researched the few grade-appropriate essays I could find online (these were the days before Pinterest and Teachers Pay Teachers) and determined that there was a structure to follow.

Every essay followed the same basic structure. I taught the structure to my students and they did well.

I have been teaching five paragraph essay structure and everything that goes with it for several years now. I hope that after you read this blog post, you will have a good understanding of how to teach and grade five paragraph essays.

Once you’ve learned all about teaching basic essay structure, you’ll be ready to grow your writers from “blah” to brilliant!

Teaching five paragraph essays is just one part of teaching 5th grade writing. Click here to find out exactly how I teach writing to my 5th graders!

Start with Simple Paragraphs

We always start with simple paragraphs.

Yes, this is basic, but if your students cannot write excellent paragraphs, their five paragraph essays will be train wrecks. Trust me!

We spend a while cementing paragraph structure:

Topic Sentence

Closing Sentence

I give students topics, they come up with their own topics, we write together, they write with a partner or independently, the more variety, the better.

We have fun with simple paragraphs. Then, it’s time to move on to body paragraphs.

Organize and Write Body Paragraphs

Please refer to my five paragraph essay organizer below.

The three body paragraphs are absolutely crucial to the success of the five paragraph essay.

Some teachers have trouble teaching the structure of five paragraph essays because they start with the introduction paragraph.

Always teach the body paragraphs first!

I had a teacher say to me once, “What’s the point of just writing parts of the essay? They need to write the entire five paragraphs to get all of the practice they need.”

I understand that point. However, think of it as building a house. Should you test out the foundation and make sure it’s sound and sturdy before building on top of it? Absolutely! That’s what we’re doing here.

The three body paragraphs are the foundation of the essay.

Ask students to write out their three body paragraphs just like they have practiced…Topic sentence…Detail 1…Detail 2…Detail 3…Closing Sentence.

I “ooooh and aaaah” over their three paragraphs. Students are on their way to five paragraph essays, so be sure to build their confidence.

Five paragraph essays - introduction paragraphs

Teach the Introduction Paragraph

I have to say, this is my favorite paragraph to teach. The introduction paragraph is what draws readers into the essay and makes them want to read more.

We start with what I call a “hook.” The hook captures the readers’ attention and can come in many forms: asking a question, making a bold statement, sharing a memory, etc.

After the hook, I ask students to add a sentence or two of applicable commentary about the hook or about the prompt in general.

Finally, we add the thesis sentence. The thesis sentence always follows the same formula: Restate the prompt, topic 1, topic 2, and topic 3.

That’s all you need to write an excellent introduction paragraph!

I do suggest having students write the introduction paragraph plus body paragraphs a couple of times before teaching the closing paragraph.

Teach the Closing Paragraph

In the conclusion paragraph, we mainly focus on restating the thesis and including an engaging closing thought.

With my students, I use the analogy of a gift.

The introduction paragraph and body paragraphs are the gift and the conclusion paragraph is the ribbon that ties everything together and finishes the package.

When you talk about restating the thesis sentence, tell students that they need to make it sound different enough from their original thesis sentence to save their readers from boredom.

Who wants to read the same thing twice? No one!

Students can change up the format and wording a bit to make it fresh.

I enjoy teaching the closing thought because it’s so open to however students want to create it.

Ways to write the closing thought: ask a question, personal statement, call to action, or even a quote.

I especially like reading the essays in which a quote is used as a closing thought or a powerful statement is used.

Example of a full five paragraph essay

Let’s Talk About Color-Coding!

Who doesn’t like to color? This is coloring with a purpose!

Training your students to color-code their paragraphs and essays will make grading so much easier and will provide reminders and reinforcements for students.

When students color-code their writing, they must think about the parts of their paragraphs, like topic sentences, details, and the closing sentence.

They will be able to see if they are missing something or if they’ve written something out of order.

Color-coding is a wonderful help for the teacher because you can skim to ensure that all parts of your students’ paragraphs and essays are present.

Also, when you are grading, you can quickly scan the paragraphs and essays. Trust me, you will develop a quick essay-grading ability.

I start color-coding with my students at the very beginning when they are working on simple paragraphs. I add the additional elements of the color-code as we progress through our five paragraph essays.

This is the code that I use:

Let’s Talk About Grading Five Paragraph Essays!

Imagine a lonely, stressed teacher grading five paragraph essays on the couch while her husband is working the night shift.

That was me!

Seriously, guys, I would spend about ten minutes per essay. I marked every little error, I made notes for improvement and notes of encouragement. I reworked their incorrect structure.

Those papers were full of marks.

On Monday, I proudly brought back the essays and asked students to look over them and learn what they needed to fix for next time.

You can guess what happened… there were lots of graded essays in the trashcan at the end of the day.

Make grading five paragraph essays easier!

I decided that my grading practices had to change. I needed my weekends back and my students needed to find their own errors!

This is my best advice:

STOP correcting every error!

Your students are not benefiting from marks all over their writing. They need to find those errors themselves so that they will remember their mistakes and change their writing habits.

Do a quick scan of each student’s writing as soon as it’s turned in to you.

If there are major problems with a student’s writing, call him/her over individually and show him/her what needs to be fixed or put the student with a competent peer editor who will help them fix mistakes.

If you have several students who are struggling with a skill, like closing sentences, do a mini-lesson on this topic.

You can do a mini-lesson with a small group. However, I prefer doing mini-lessons with the entire class. The kids who need help will get it and the rest of your class will receive a refresher.

It’s OK if there are some small spelling/grammar mistakes!

If the errors are few and they don’t take away from the meaning/flow of the essay, I don’t worry about them.

Our students are still learning.

Even your brightest star writer will have a few spelling/grammar mistakes from time to time.

Don’t discourage students from writing because of small errors.

Students who receive papers back with markings all over them don’t think, “Oh boy, my teacher has made it so easy for me to make all of these corrections.” They are thinking, “What’s the point in writing? I must be a terrible writer. Look at all of these mistakes.”

If your students are taking a standardized writing assessment, the structure and flow of their essays will be worth much more than perfect spelling.

Need more help?

I created this five paragraph essay instructional unit for teachers who are new to teaching five paragraph essays OR just need all of the materials in one place.

“Teacher Talk” pages will guide you through the unit and this unit contains all materials needed to help students plan, organize, and write amazing five paragraph essays! Click here to check it out:

I have a freebie for you! Enter your first name and email address below. You’ll receive three original prompts with five paragraph essay organizers AND two lined final draft pages!

Once your students are good essay writers…

These task cards will help your students stay sharp on their five paragraph essay knowledge. Students will review hooks (attention-getters), thesis sentences, body paragraphs, topic sentences, closings, and more. Each card contains a unique writing example!

I suggest using these task cards as a quiz/test, scoot game, individual review, or cooperative group activity.

Click on the image to view these task cards:

To save this post for later, simply pin this image to your teacher Pinterest board!

21 comments.

Wow! I really enjoyed reading this. I’ve always stressed over the thought of teaching writing, but your blog makes me think I can do it successfully. Putting your writing packet on my TPT wish list!

Thank you, Shannon! I appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment. I am so glad that my blog post was helpful to you!

Thanks for the tips! When I taught 6th grade I taught this same subject matter, but struggled to get started. I wish I had this then!

I appreciate your comment! Teaching was much different before Pinterest, wasn’t it?!?

This helped me so much!🙂 thanks a lot, I imagined being one student of yours. I’d be so smart and good at essays! Would’ve been so much easier in person❤️❤️❤️

Thank you so much, Aizlyn!

Thank you so much for this! May I ask where I can see the rubric for scoring the compositions?

You are so welcome! Click on the resource link. Then, you will see the rubric in the preview!

Thank you so much,I am a parent and this really helped me be clear how to guide my son. God bless you always.,

Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!

you are welcome!!!

This looks great! Looking forward to using your tips and freebies with my 6th graders. 🙂 THANK YOU.

You are so welcome! Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment!

Can’t wait to use this with my class tomorrow! Thanks a bunch for sharing!!

You are so welcome, Amy!

Thank you for making it easy to teach an essay with clarity.

You are very welcome, Yamuna! Thanks for taking the time to leave feedback 🙂

I am so happy I discovered your blog. I just started teaching grade 5 in September I have been searching for a simple method to hel me in guiding them in writing. I will be putting your method into practice in the coming week.

That’s wonderful, Cherry! Thank you for sharing your thoughts! Welcome to fifth grade 🙂

Beautiful lesson well explained! Thank you so very much .

Thank you so much, Cheryl!

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NJHS Essay: How to Write a Winning Piece from Ideas to end

How to Write a NJHS Essay

NJHS essay recognizes those students that perform in academics exceptionally. Furthermore, it considers those who have impressive leadership skills and show their commitment to community service.

National Junior Honor Societ y (NJHS) essay helps students showcase their skills to the admissions committee as they plan to join NJHS. It is an avenue to become a member of this authoritative organization.

For one to become an NHS member, one should format, compose and structure the essay with clarity and correctly. You should include a personal story to prove your readiness to take up the leadership role.

In this guide, we guide you on how to write a winning NJHS essay. We also explore the mistakes to avoid since NJHS essays require creativity.

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How to Write an NJHS Essay

Among the most significant hurdle when you want to be part of NJHS is to write the equivalent essay. This essay acts as an application letter to include your personal experiences and demonstrate why you are an exceptional leader, community, and team member.

Before you begin to craft one, it is critical to have a look at the past samples. The main requirement is as follows:

Clearly Defined Goals: The overall paper should be a sincerer write-up to let the evaluation committee know you more.
Show Hope: You should explain your life hope which means possessing a plan to continue to develop your major abilities.
Share Love: You should share your love for NJHS genuinely. That includes avoiding duplicating what past writers had already talked about it.
Remain Positive: Ensure that you give a positive approach to your essay. Suppose you have a negative encounter; you should paint a bit positively.

1. Plan Your Essay

Understand the philosophy behind your essay. It would help if you brainstormed the main ideas of the essay. You should think about the kind of accomplishment you have to meet the NJHS criteria. After that, you should have an outline to make it organized and efficient.

Typically, we base the NJHS on three pillars:

Character, service, leadership, and scholarship.
Explain why volunteering for a particular cause is critical to you.
Have a balanced essay that will treat your important topics substantially.

2. Tell a Personal Story

You should include your life story to make this essay unique. NJHS appreciates personal journeys that were rebuilt with passion and dedication at a tender age.

Such an essay is an introduction to who you are, so you should try and express yourself efficiently.

For example, suppose you are passionate about the animals, then you can volunteer in the animal shelter and maybe become a vet.

You should introduce yourself professionally by sticking with your original writing styles.

Suppose you are a funny person, give that touch to in the introduction.

More importantly, could you keep it clean and straightforward?

3. Catchy Introduction

Introduce your essay in a catchy introduction in a clever way. You can select a critical life event and build on it to develop an essay around it. Choose the event wisely to showcase your wit and devotion. Also, you can talk about your experience on a particular project.

The introduction is the fertile ground to grab the reader’s attention. So, creativity is key. You should never lose balance and sight at this point. You should remain focused throughout your writing.

4. Discuss your Leadership

You should be sincere when you are discussing your leadership. You should craft your essay without exaggerating your achievements.

The board is wise enough to see the essay whose intention is to impress. Just present your genuine qualities while mentioning your flaws too.

If you have some leadership in sports, you can highlight it too. In case you served as a team captain, it is critical to capture such details. NJHS is looking for activities that are outside the classroom.

However, even if you have flaws, let them know that you constantly improve yourself. For example, if you are a perfectionist, indicate that you are offering a space to stay more creative.

4. Show your Service

NJHS is looking for students who gave service to the community voluntarily. Take this moment to explain your volunteer experience. You can list the type of services and the organizations you served, including church-related projects.

5. Highlight your Character

As you evaluate your character, NJHS is interested in a cooperative, reliable, honest, concerned, courteous, and collaborative students.

You can think of ways you used such qualities in serving people. You can do so by sharing a story that will expose your ethical character and integrity.

6. Show you are Good Citizen

The NJHS is after those students that value the importance of civic engagement. It should come from both schools and outside the schooling activities.

You can offer the details of your participation in extra-curriculum activities such as community-focused groups and scouts. You should demonstrate that you love getting involved in the efforts that advance your society.

7. Structure it Properly

The structure is vital in ensuring that your essay stands out.

Once you decide the focus of your essay, you should structure it with your details accordingly. For example, if your focus is to be lawyer, indicate what you are doing to get there.

You can begin with your academic achievements, then proceed to grants and scholarships before ending your non-academic activities.

In addition, you should double-check your structure to ensure that you are on the correct track. Typically, it should be an essay to read and clear.

8. Write a prolific Conclusion

It is now the moment to close your essay. This is after completing to elaborate you’re your academic qualities and presenting your community work. You should be more creative by showcasing the excellent communication skills that represent you.

You can use the famous persons’ saying to represent you the best and strive to elaborate on it.

9. Proofread

It is hard to convince the panel that you were a bright student when your essay had many spelling and grammatical mistakes.

A small error can ruin your work and make you lose come credit over it. You can appoint a fellow student or a member of your family to double-check the work and point out the mistakes genuinely.

The essay should be an avenue to express yourself genuinely without promoting your abilities too much. When you lose focus and over-promote yourself, it could alienate you and fail to work in your favor. However perfect you are, strive to be yourself.

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Common Mistakes When Writing NJHS Essay

1. Confusing Introduction or Conclusion

When writing your introduction, you should ensure it is catchy where you set the pace for your essay.

It is a perfect place to let the reader see your creativity concerning what you want to say in the main body.

The conclusion should be a summary of the key ideas and points that you captured in the body.

It may sound simple, but many students make this section boil into a conclusion.

2. Plagiarism

Plagiarism is a serious offense in the academic arena. It is wrong to use someone’s ideas without paraphrasing them to eliminate any similarity.

The institutions have mechanisms where they can detect plagiarism and catch you. Once caught, it will lower your chances of getting a chance.

3. Lack of Proofreading

You should never skip post essay stages. When you complete your work, it does not mean that it is over. You can take a break and come back to review it. At this stage, you should begin to edit parts that require changes.

Once you believe the structure is fine and the strong arguments, begin to proofread for any grammatical or spelling errors. After that, the document will be ready for submission.

To learn the tips of proofreading, read our guide on how to proofread an essay well in our overall explanation of writing a good essay.

4. Weak Structure

Organize your essay in both micro and macro levels. Stick with structural elements that make the essay constructive and compelling. Include every aspect in the essay. More importantly, pay attention to creativity.

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Tips to Avoid NJHS Essay Mistakes

Tip#1. The flow

When an essay has too many types, it is a perfect indicator that grammatical knowledge is deficient.

When you submit the essay with such a mistake shows that you are not attentive to it.

You can avoid this by performing a thorough revision of your work.

You can look for faulty construction, spelling mistakes, and typos. Avoid relying on the spellcheckers solely.

Tip #2. Plagiarism

When you are plagiarizing, it means you are cheating, and it can deny you a big chance to soar higher. Avoiding is very simple. You should rephrase the idea if you borrowed it from another source. Also, you should cite your work correctly.

Tip #3. Lack of transitions

Paragraphs are unique thoughts that you should format effectively. Make them appear as single pieces of the essay. You can achieve that by using the transitions between the paragraphs. Also, you should make the essay smooth and coherent.

Tip #4. Hard to Read

The purpose of the essay is to communicate and not to make it look complex. You can avoid such situations by refraining from using extra words and phrases.

Also, adhere to the main idea of the essay. In addition, you should use simple sentences that have the right information that you want to put across.

When not handling complex essays and academic writing tasks, Josh is busy advising students on how to pass assignments. In spare time, he loves playing football or walking with his dog around the park.

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How Long is An Essay in 7th Grade?
Each paragraph written by a student in our fifth grade must contain at least 40 words (although they are always free to write more). 80 words must be learned by the sixth grade. In 7th grade, students must write 100 words, and in 8th grade, it is 125 words. There are also requirements for sentences. A 5th-grade paragraph must have at least 5 ...
The Guide to 7th Grade: Reading and Writing
In order to build writing skills, your 7th grader: Writes arguments that present clear reasons and relevant evidence and include: Introductions. Acknowledgements of opposing claims. Logical and orderly presentations of reasons and evidence. The use of appropriate transitions, words, and phrases to connect claims.
How Long is an Essay? Guidelines for Different Types of Essay
Essay length guidelines. Type of essay. Average word count range. Essay content. High school essay. 300-1000 words. In high school you are often asked to write a 5-paragraph essay, composed of an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion. College admission essay. 200-650 words.
How to write a perfect essay
Follow your outline, using each of your supporting points as the topic sentence of its own paragraph. Use descriptive words to get your ideas across to the reader. Go into detail, using specific information to tell your story or make your point. Stay on track, making sure that everything you include is somehow related to the main idea of your ...
7th grade writing Writing
Seventh graders sharpen their writing skills by writing arguments, essays, research reports, and stories — and presenting them to the class. Seventh graders need to avoid dangling modifiers, hasty drafts, and plagiarism! They rewrite to tighten their writing. They critique each other's essays to learn what's vague or missing.
Writing for 7th Grade Readers
Word length, measured by the number of letters in a word, also adds to text complexity. For 7th graders, you can see a variety of word lengths. Here's a general breakdown: Short Words (1-4 Letters): These make up a large portion of the text, around 50-60%. Examples include "the," "and," "is," "cat," "jump.". Medium-Length ...
How to Write A 7th Grade Level Essay
In seventh grade, your child is now in the middle of their academic career. They have spent a long time developing a great number of skills, and their writing skills are no different. They are going to start writing more sophisticated and challenging pieces this year, and the writing prompts are going to be more challenging moving forward.
ELA G7: Writing An Argumentative Essay: Planning The Essay
Self-assessment and goal setting helps students take ownership of their learning. To begin, students will review the reflection they did during Module 1 (Unit 3, Lesson 6) and complete the Writing Improvement Tracker for Module 1. When students are done, collect the trackers and keep them until they need them again.
7th Grade Essay Prompts
Writing Prompts for 7th Grade. By seventh grade, students should be refining the core writing skills of brainstorming, researching, outlining, drafting, and revising. In order to hone these skills, seventh-grade students need regular practice writing a variety of essay styles, including narrative, persuasive, expository, and creative essays.
PDF Grade 7 Writer's Checklist: Argumentative
Use appropriate and varied transitions to connect ideas and to clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts. Use clear language and vocabulary. Establish and maintain a formal style. Provide a conclusion that supports the information presented. Check your work for correct usage, grammar, spelling, capitalization, and punctuation.
PDF Grade 7 Writing Exemplars with Annotations
Wyoming Department of Education. 122 W. 25th St., Ste. E200 | Cheyenne, WY 82002 P: 307-777-7675 | F: 307-777-6234 | edu.wyoming.gov. The WY-TOPP ELA test has a Writing portion for grades 3, 5, 7, and 9. Each writing test contains one or more passages that relate to a prompt.
7th Grade Writing Samples
Seventh Grade Argumentative Essay Sample 3. Seventh Grade Argumentative Essay Sample 4. Logo Image. Logo Title. Oakdale Joint Unified School District. 168 South 3rd Avenue. Oakdale. CA. 95361. USA. 209-848-4884. 209-847-0155. Instagram (opens in new window/tab) Facebook (opens in new window/tab) YouTube (opens in new window/tab)
How long should the average 7th grade essay be?
Your introduction should only be 3-4 sentences. Get straight to the point within your opening sentence. The best openings demonstrate you have clearly planned your arguments. So before starting to write, it is crucial you take 5 minutes to think of your argument and plan out how you will support them in the body paragraphs.
PDF Student Paper Setup Guide, APA Style 7th Edition
7th Edition. Student Paper Setup Guide. This guide will help you set up an APA Style student paper. The basic setup directions apply to the entire paper. Annotated diagrams illustrate how to set up the major sections of a student paper: the title page or cover page, the text, tables and figures, and the reference list. Basic Setup.
Extended Constructed Response Prompts
Once you've selected your pair of high-interest texts, you're ready to write the essay prompt. STEP 2: Write an Aligned, Extended-Response Prompt. To write an aligned, extended-response prompt, start by reading an example extended-response prompt from a released state test. Here is a sample prompt from a 7th grade Smarter Balanced assessment:
How to Write an Essay Introduction (with Examples)
2. How long should an essay introduction be? An essay introduction typically ranges from 5-10% of the total word count. For example, in a 1,000-word essay, the introduction would be roughly 50-100 words. However, the length can vary depending on the complexity of the topic and the overall length of the essay.
PDF Georgia Milestones Study/Resource Guide
This Georgia Milestones Grade 7 Study/Resource Guide for Students and Parents is intended as a resource for parents and students. It contains sample questions and helpful activities to give you an idea of what test questions look like on Georgia Milestones and what the Grade 7 End-of-Grade (EOG) assessment covers.
How Long Should My Academic Essay Be?
High school. In high school, you'll still likely need to write a 5-paragraph essay, although some teachers (especially English and Language Arts) will start to require longer essays (3 to 5 pages). This is to prepare you for the rigor of academic writing that you'll be fine-tuning in college. In these essays, you will still have the basic ...
Five Paragraph Essays
We always start with simple paragraphs. Yes, this is basic, but if your students cannot write excellent paragraphs, their five paragraph essays will be train wrecks. Trust me! We spend a while cementing paragraph structure: Topic Sentence. Detail #1. Detail #2. Detail #3. Closing Sentence.
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MCAS Student Work/Scoring Guides
MCAS Student Work/Scoring Guides. This page provides access to each released essay item, constructed-response item, open-response item, and writing prompt included on the MCAS tests from 2018 to 2023 (except 2020); the scoring guide that accompanies each item; and samples of student work at each score point for the item. Taken together, the ...
How long is an essay 7th grade?
How long is an essay 7th grade? An essay in 7th grade typically falls within the range of 300 to 800 words. This allows students to learn and practice the basic structure of a 5-paragraph essay, which includes an introduction, a thesis statement, the body, and a conclusion. How many paragraphs should a 7th grade …
How many essays do you have your students write per year? Am I ...
I had a mini-prompt, with shorter texts, and then a longer prompt, with a longer text set. Maybe instead of having them write two essays, I can have them write two outlines and then choose which essay they'd like to write. Our average is 6 per year, 3 per Semester. Ninth grade, many short "writings".
NJHS Essay: How to Write a Winning Piece from Ideas to end
2. Tell a Personal Story. You should include your life story to make this essay unique. NJHS appreciates personal journeys that were rebuilt with passion and dedication at a tender age. Such an essay is an introduction to who you are, so you should try and express yourself efficiently.

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How Long is An Essay in 7th Grade?

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Creative Essay Writing Prompts

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