To the principal: My purpose is to argue that our middle school should start later in the morning. Research shows that students our age learn better when we are fully awake, and attendance improves too. When first period begins before the sun rises, we stumble through lessons. I also think the cafeteria pizza is too cheesy sometimes, and that can be fixed another day. A later start would help bus schedules because routes could avoid the busiest traffic. Also, teachers would get time for short meetings before class, which makes lessons smoother. If we want higher grades and safer mornings, we should try an 8:45 start. Changing routines is hard, but it is a change that fits what students need and helps our school community.

Which revision would best improve the clarity and focus of this argument for the principal?

My purpose is to inform my classmates how composting turns food scraps into soil. Composting is a process where banana peels and leaves break down. First, you put dry materials and wet materials together, but I also read about worms somewhere. It takes time, and then it becomes crumbly and dark, like a forest floor. This helps gardens. In a bin, heat builds as tiny organisms work, however people just dump things in without thinking about size. For example, big branches are not good. When it is ready, you can use it, and the smell is different. Anyone who tries composting can reduce trash at school, which matters to the environment and our club.

Which revision best improves the organization and clarity of this informative paragraph?

My purpose is to tell a short narrative for the school magazine about trying out for the play. The auditorium was chilly, and the stage lights were blinking like impatient eyes. I remembered my lines, but my shoes squeaked, and it was not connected to anything. The director called my name, and I walked onto the tape mark that looked like a tiny island. Then suddenly I spoke all the words at once, like a fast-forward button, and the echo came back too soon. After that, I stopped. People were quiet, and then someone dropped a pencil. I want the reader to feel the nerves, so I think about breathing. I heard, 'Try again,' and this time I started slower and looked up.

Which revision best improves the coherence and style for a narrative audience?

Dear City Council, my purpose is to argue that our neighborhood park needs more bike racks. After school, kids ride to practice and lean bikes against fences. That looks messy, and sometimes bikes fall. Also, stars twinkle at night, which is interesting but not related. With more racks near the entrance and the field, people could lock bikes safely and walk in without blocking paths. Families would visit more often because parking a bike would be quick. One study from a nearby town reported more visitors after adding racks, but I didn't save the link. Please consider a small pilot with five racks, and gather feedback from park users so the decision fits what our community needs.

Which option best matches the intended purpose and audience of this argument?

Purpose: argument—to persuade our principal to extend recess to 25 minutes. Our school day is packed, and students need a real break to return to class ready to think. Last week, after our short recess, my classmates dragged through math and whispered about how tired they felt. Longer recess would also give us time to include more students in games, which builds friendships and reduces small disagreements. The swings are metal and shiny. Researchers say activity helps memory, so a few more minutes outside could help us remember lessons better. I know the schedule is busy, but adding five minutes to recess could be balanced by starting dismissal music a little earlier, which seems fair to everyone and still keeps learning first.

Which revision best improves the clarity and focus for an argument addressed to the principal?

Purpose: informative—to explain to our school newsletter readers how composting works in our cafeteria. Composting turns food scraps into nutrient-rich soil. First, we place apple cores and vegetable peels into a green bin. The finished compost looks dark and crumbly, and gardeners use it on plants. Microorganisms break the scraps down, but we don't throw in plastic or milk cartons. Sometimes the bin smells weird a lot. Each week, a helper mixes the pile to add air, which speeds up the process. We also add a little dry material, like leaves, to balance the moisture. Over time, heat builds up in the pile as the tiny decomposers work. After several weeks, the compost is ready, and we can spread it in the school garden beds.

Which revision best improves the organization and style for an informative explanation?

Purpose: narrative—to tell classmates about my first time speaking in the morning announcements. I woke up before sunrise and practiced the script with my little sister. At school, the hall smelled like pencils and cleaner, and my sneakers squeaked on the tiles. I am agreeing to do the announcements, which makes my stomach flutter. When the red light on the camera blinked, my mouth felt dry, but I remembered the joke about lost socks and smiled. The microphone was not loud but it was feeling big. After it ended, Mr. Lane gave me a thumbs-up, and I could finally breathe. Later, I learned that my homeroom had been cheering before I even started, which was kind and amazing.

Which revision best improves the flow and style for a first-person narrative written to classmates?

Purpose: argument—to persuade neighbors to join our community clean-up on Saturday. Litter gathers along the creek path and near the playground, and it doesn't move itself. When trash sits, it can wash into the creek during rain and harm wildlife. I like blue gloves and sturdy bags. If we work together for two hours, we can clear the trail before the weekend walkers arrive. Our team will provide gloves, bags, and water, and we'll sort recyclables, too. People like snacks and I think trees are nice. Meeting at the park entrance at 9 a.m. makes it easy for families to come and help. Please consider giving a little time to make our shared spaces cleaner and safer for everyone.

Which revision best strengthens the paragraph's focus for a persuasive message to neighbors?

Scenario: Purpose: Argument—to persuade the school principal to consider starting school 30 minutes later. Audience: the principal.

Draft paragraph: Our middle school day starts very early, and many students arrive tired. Studies show that growing bodies need more sleep, but the bus comes before sunrise for many of us. This change would be a big deal, like the moon is far away. In first period, I see classmates struggle to focus on instructions, and teachers often have to repeat directions. A later start would not cancel learning; it would make learning stick. Sports and clubs could shift slightly, and neighboring schools have already made small adjustments with success. If we want students to be safe walking to stops in the dark, later times also help. Please consider a pilot schedule so we can try it.

Which revision should replace the sentence that reads: 'This change would be a big deal, like the moon is far away' to better support the argument for the principal?

Scenario: Purpose: Informative—to explain to fourth graders how recycling works and why it helps the environment. Audience: fourth-grade students.

Draft paragraph: This topic matters for everyone, and it has many steps. When you put a can or a paper in the right bin, a truck takes it to a center where items are sorted by material. Glass goes with glass, paper with paper, and metals with metals. The machines are interesting, and some have cool conveyor belts, which is beside the point but pretty neat. After sorting, the materials are cleaned and melted or pulped so they can be made into new products. Recycling does not fix everything, but it reduces trash in landfills and saves energy compared to making things from new resources.

To make this informative paragraph clear for fourth graders, which option should replace the first sentence?