Composition: Planning First Drafts By Selecting Genre Topic Purpose And Audience (TEKS.ELA.6.10.A)

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Texas 6th Grade ELA › Composition: Planning First Drafts By Selecting Genre Topic Purpose And Audience (TEKS.ELA.6.10.A)

Questions 1 - 7
1

Writing prompt: Topic — How to set up a home study routine Audience — Your younger cousin who is starting middle school

Which planning decision best prepares the student to draft?

Compose a persuasive letter to the principal asking for more library books.

Draft a scary short story for your friends about a haunted homework binder.

Make a flyer for people with random study quotes.

Plan an instructional how-to guide with clear steps and friendly tips tailored to a younger middle schooler.

Explanation

D is correct because an instructional how-to guide fits the topic (study routine), the audience (younger cousin), and the purpose (to explain). A, B, and C are off-topic, entertainment-focused, or have a vague audience. Extension: Quick outline — Topic: study routine; Audience: younger cousin; Purpose: explain steps to follow. Scaffold: Template — Topic: ___; Audience: ___; Purpose: ___ Enrichment: How would your plan change if the purpose were to persuade your cousin to try the routine rather than simply inform?

2

Writing prompt: Topic — Highlights from the 6th-grade science fair Audience — Families and staff who read the school newsletter

Which planning decision best prepares the student to draft?

Plan to write an informative news-style article that summarizes events, features winners, and explains why the fair matters.

Start a petition to the principal asking for a day off after the fair.

Write a private diary entry about how you felt during your experiment.

Create a comedy skit for your best friend about exploding volcanoes.

Explanation

A is correct because a news-style article informs the newsletter audience and matches the topic and purpose (to inform). B, C, and D are mismatched in purpose, genre, or audience. Extension: Quick outline — Topic: science fair highlights; Audience: families and staff; Purpose: inform with key details and quotes. Scaffold: Template — Topic: ___; Audience: ___; Purpose: ___ Enrichment: How would your plan change if the purpose were to persuade families to volunteer at next year's fair?

3

Writing prompt: Topic — Convince your soccer coach to hold an end-of-season celebration Audience — Your coach

Which planning decision best prepares the student to draft?

Create an infographic for second graders that explains soccer positions.

Write a memoir chapter about how you learned soccer at age five.

Draft a persuasive email to your coach with reasons, a proposed plan, and respectful tone.

Make a step-by-step how-to for baking cupcakes for anyone.

Explanation

C is correct because a persuasive email to the coach fits the topic (celebration), the audience (coach), and the purpose (to persuade). A, B, and D do not match the audience or purpose. Extension: Quick outline — Topic: end-of-season celebration; Audience: coach; Purpose: persuade with reasons and logistics. Scaffold: Template — Topic: ___; Audience: ___; Purpose: ___ Enrichment: How would your plan change if the purpose were to inform teammates about celebration details after the coach approves?

4

Prompt: After a quick discussion and background reading, a student plans to write about organizing a community garden clean-up. Audience: the city council members who could provide trash bags and a small grant.

Which planning decision best prepares the student to draft?

Plan a persuasive letter to the city council requesting supplies and a small grant, listing three reasons supported by facts.

Write a fictional narrative about a superhero who cleans up parks for anyone who likes stories.

Create a poem about nature to share with people online.

Plan an informational brochure about different plant species for science teachers.

Explanation

A aligns topic, audience, and purpose: a persuasive letter to the city council requesting support. B, C, and D mismatch genre, audience, or purpose. Extension: Draft a quick outline—Topic, Audience, Purpose. Scaffold: Topic: __; Audience: __; Purpose: __. Enrichment: How would the plan change if the purpose were to inform instead of persuade?

5

Prompt: The class has a pet, and next month younger students will help care for it. Audience: the new helpers from a younger grade.

Which planning decision best prepares the student to draft?

Draft a persuasive speech asking the principal to buy more class pets.

Write a personal narrative about the first day with the pet for friends.

Plan a how-to guide with clear steps and simple diagrams to teach the new helpers how to feed, clean, and handle the pet safely.

Compose a poem about animals for the school art showcase.

Explanation

C matches the topic (pet care), audience (younger helpers), and purpose (inform/instruct). A, B, and D do not match the purpose or audience. Extension: Draft a quick outline—Topic, Audience, Purpose. Scaffold: Topic: __; Audience: __; Purpose: __. Enrichment: Compare plans for informing vs. persuading this audience.

6

Prompt: A student wants to explain how tornadoes form and how to stay safe during storms. Audience: readers of the school safety newsletter.

Which planning decision best prepares the student to draft?

Prepare a persuasive advertisement urging families to purchase weather gadgets from a local store.

Plan an informational article that explains tornado formation and safety tips, using headings and facts from credible sources, for the school newsletter.

Draft a comic story about a storm-chasing hero for classmates.

Write a how-to manual on building a backyard storm shelter for professional builders.

Explanation

B fits the topic and audience with an informative purpose. A is a sales pitch, C is narrative entertainment, and D mismatches the audience. Extension: Draft a quick outline—Topic, Audience, Purpose. Scaffold: Topic: __; Audience: __; Purpose: __. Enrichment: How would your plan change if the purpose were to persuade instead of inform?

7

Prompt: The library needs new books, and the student will present an idea for a fundraiser. Audience: the Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO).

Which planning decision best prepares the student to draft?

Plan an explanatory report on the history of the school library for future historians.

Write a personal memoir about learning to love reading to inspire anyone on social media.

Create a step-by-step manual on how to shelve books for new volunteers.

Plan a persuasive email and short presentation to the PTO that clearly states the request, reasons, and expected costs and benefits.

Explanation

D aligns the topic (fundraiser), audience (PTO), and purpose (persuade). A, B, and C do not match the audience or purpose. Extension: Draft a quick outline—Topic, Audience, Purpose. Scaffold: Topic: __; Audience: __; Purpose: __. Enrichment: Compare an informative plan vs. a persuasive plan for the same topic.