Authentic Writing Assignments

 

  1. Students write a review of a movie or theater production they’ve seen.  Reviews should include summaries of the production and persuasive language as to why or why not their classmates should see or not see it.  Reviews can then be published in a monthly class newsletter. 
  2. Students write about a musical instrument they would invent.  Have them describe what it looks like and have them explain how they would play it.  (Optional: have them draw a picture of it.)
  3. Play several types of music for the students.  Discuss the way each type of music affects them and the feelings each music type made them feel.  Then have them write their feelings in a descriptive passage, or have them write a short story based around one of the music types you played for them.
  4. Present your class a painting, maybe less-known.  Without giving them any background knowledge on the painting or on the artist, ask them to write a short story that painting might depict.  Have various students read their stories.  After this, you may tell them information on the artist and the painting.