Composition: Publishing Written Work (TEKS.ELA.8.10.E)
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Texas 8th Grade ELA › Composition: Publishing Written Work (TEKS.ELA.8.10.E)
Intended publication: School newspaper (print/web); audience: students and staff. Draft (100 words): Every lunch, I watch good food land in the trash. Half-eaten apples, unopened milk, and piles of fries disappear before class. We can do better. A share table would let students leave untouched items for others. Clear signs could explain what belongs in compost and what must be thrown away. Teachers could give five extra minutes to sort. Custodians know the problem best; let's ask them for advice. If we reduce waste, we save money and help our planet. I love our cafeteria. Let's make it smarter, cleaner, and kinder—starting this week. Student leaders can launch a simple, friendly pilot.
Which revision best prepares this draft for the school newspaper and its readership?
Shift it into a casual personal blog with emojis, hashtags, and rhetorical questions; keep long paragraphs and first-person asides.
Format it as a formal research paper with APA in-text citations, an abstract, and passive-voice sentences; lengthen to five pages.
Edit for school-newspaper style: add a concise headline and byline; keep 3-5 short paragraphs; include one student quote and a brief sidebar with cafeteria waste facts; maintain a persuasive, school-appropriate tone.
Convert it into a bold poster: all-caps bullet points, large clip art, and minimal text; remove stories and details to save space.
Explanation
A school newspaper calls for short, article-style paragraphs, a clear headline/byline, and campus-relevant details supported by a quote or sidebar. The other options mismatch tone, format, or purpose.
Intended publication: Community newsletter (print/email); audience: neighborhood residents and families. Draft (100 words): On Saturday, my friends and I want to clean the banks of the San Marcos River near City Park. We're tired of seeing cans wedged in rocks and plastic bags fluttering from branches. Picking up trash is simple, but it's faster with neighbors. We plan to bring gloves, buckets, and a water cooler. If more people come, we can separate recycling and trash. The river is part of Texas history and our weekend fun, so let's take care of it. We'll meet at the pavilion at nine in the morning and work for two hours. Please consider joining us. Thanks.
Which adaptation best prepares this draft for a community newsletter announcement?
Revise as a community newsletter announcement: add an event title, a date/time/location line, a contact email/phone, and a short 'what to bring' list; use plain, welcoming language in two brief paragraphs.
Rewrite as a personal blog with selfies, emojis, and a travel-story tone; add a long narrative about past river picnics and inside jokes.
Reframe as a school editorial criticizing city hall; add strong opinion language and remove the event details to focus on blame.
Convert to a formal research article with citations and a literature review on river pollution; remove the call for volunteers.
Explanation
Community newsletters prioritize clear logistics, contact information, and concise, welcoming language for residents. The other options mismatch the venue's practical, local focus.
Intended publication: Youth academic science journal (online PDF); audience: student researchers and teachers. Draft (100 words): Last fall, our science club measured the pH of soil from the school garden to learn why some beds grow better. We collected samples from six plots, labeled them, and used test strips and a meter to compare results. Tomatoes struggled in Plot 2, and its soil tested more acidic than the others. After adding crushed eggshells and compost, we retested two weeks later and saw the pH rise slightly. Plants looked healthier. We still have questions about watering and shade, but we think soil balance matters. We want to share our process so other students can try it too.
Which revision best prepares the draft for a youth academic journal?
Design a colorful brochure with big photos and catchy slogans; cut most numbers and methods to keep it light.
Adapt it into a structured abstract with Background, Methods, Results, and Conclusion; use third-person, precise measurements, 1-2 references, a labeled figure, and keywords.
Turn it into a school editorial arguing for composting; add persuasive slogans and remove technical details to simplify.
Post it as a social-media slideshow with emojis, reaction prompts, and minimal text to keep it quick.
Explanation
An academic venue expects formal structure, precise methods/results, objective tone, and basic references/labels. The other choices favor promotional or opinion formats that reduce scientific clarity.
Intended publication: Student travel blog (mobile-friendly); audience: classmates and families. Draft (100 words): Last spring break, my family hiked Palo Duro Canyon, the second-largest canyon in the United States. The red cliffs glowed at sunrise, and the Lighthouse Trail felt like a movie set. We packed extra water because the wind was dry, and we rested in the shade every mile. At the visitor center, exhibits explained how the canyon formed and shared stories from the Panhandle. We also saw cyclists and horseback riders sharing the paths. I'm writing this post to help classmates plan a safe, fun trip. With smart preparation, this Texas wonder welcomes beginners who love wide, open skies too.
Which approach best prepares this draft for an online student travel blog?
Reformat as an MLA research report with a thesis, formal citations, and a works cited page; remove the first-person voice.
Condense into a community newsletter notice with a date, time, location, and contact info for a local cleanup event.
Revise as a school newspaper letter to the editor criticizing park fees; adopt a forceful, argumentative tone.
Optimize for a blog: keep first-person voice; add subheadings, short paragraphs, an alt-texted photo placeholder, a bulleted packing checklist, and a link to the park website; maintain a friendly travel tone.
Explanation
A blog favors engaging first-person writing, scannable subheads, links, alt-texted images, and practical checklists for readers. The other options shift to mismatched formats or tones.
Intended publication: School newspaper sports section. Audience and standards: students, families, and staff; AP style with headline, byline, photo caption; third-person, objective tone. Draft (100 words): Friday's home basketball game brought loud cheers and a comeback win. In the fourth quarter, our team pushed the pace, forced turnovers, and hit key free throws to beat the Tigers 48–45. Students packed the gym with posters and the band kept the energy high between plays. After a slow start, the defense locked in, holding the Tigers to eight points in the last period. The final seconds felt endless, but a steal sealed it. Next up is an away game on Tuesday. Fans are invited to wear blue and show support on social media using photos from the game.
Which revision or formatting approach best prepares this draft for the school newspaper and its readers?
Convert it into a first-person blog post with casual slang, emojis, and a long personal anecdote; remove score details and quoted sources.
Apply MLA academic formatting with parenthetical citations and a Works Cited; use highly formal, analytical language throughout.
Revise to an AP-style game recap: craft a concise lead with the score in the first sentence, add a coach quote, supply a descriptive headline and photo caption, use third-person on first reference to teams/schools, and tighten to fit space.
Reformat as a colorful event flyer with all-caps headlines, centered text, multiple fonts, and large clip art; remove paragraph structure.
Explanation
A school newspaper expects an AP-style recap: concise lead with score, third-person tone, relevant quote, clear headline, and photo caption. The other options mismatch venue expectations or reduce journalistic clarity.
Intended publication: Community neighborhood newsletter (San Antonio). Audience and standards: residents of all ages; friendly, concise announcements with bulleted details and a contact box; plain language. Draft (100 words): Neighbors, our Saturday river cleanup needs volunteers to protect the San Antonio River's trails. Meet at Brackenridge Park by the gazebo at 8 a.m. Wear closed-toe shoes, bring a reusable water bottle, and expect light lifting. We'll supply gloves, bags, and grabbers. Families are welcome, and service hours are available for students. Afterward, we'll share breakfast tacos and sweet tea at the pavilion. Parking fills fast, so carpool if you can. Questions? See the sign-up sheet at the community center desk. Together we can keep our stretch of the river safe, beautiful, and welcoming for walkers, joggers, and wildlife today.
Which revision or formatting approach best prepares this draft for a community newsletter audience?
Turn it into a concise newsletter item with a clear headline and a bulleted what/when/where list; bold the time and location; include a short call to action and a contact email/phone; keep the friendly tone and remove slang.
Rewrite as a persuasive op-ed with extensive statistics, formal citations, and long analytical paragraphs arguing for environmental policy changes.
Repackage it as a clickbait social post with all-caps urgency, multiple hashtags, GIFs, and minimal event details.
Apply APA report formatting with an abstract, keywords, section headings, and reference list; use passive voice throughout.
Explanation
A community newsletter favors clear, skimmable details and friendly tone. Option A fits the venue with bulleted logistics and contact information. The other choices mismatch purpose, tone, or format.
Intended publication: District middle school history journal. Audience and standards: teachers and students; formal, objective tone; MLA 9 formatting with in-text citations and a Works Cited; 12-pt Times New Roman; double-spaced; page numbers. Draft (100 words): In the 1930s, dust storms turned skies dark across the Texas Panhandle, driving families from farms and reshaping towns. Plowing that removed native grasses left topsoil loose, and drought made the land fragile. When high winds swept the plains, soil lifted into the air and drifted for miles, clogging homes and cattle lungs. Many families packed trucks and followed rumors of work, while others organized shelter kitchens and soil conservation plans. Photographers and reporters documented the hardship, and lawmakers funded new farming practices. The Dust Bowl changed how Texans thought about weather, land, and the importance of caring for both.
Which revision or formatting approach best prepares this draft for an academic history journal?
Add memes, inspirational quotes in decorative fonts, and colorful backgrounds; remove citations to keep the page uncluttered.
Recast the piece as a conversational Q&A interview with a classmate; insert emojis and casual asides.
Condense it into a short social media thread with hashtags and first-person commentary about lessons learned.
Revise to meet journal standards: add in-text citations for factual claims, include a Works Cited page, supply an informative title, formalize tone, use 12-pt Times New Roman, double-space, and insert page numbers and author info per MLA.
Explanation
Academic venues require formal tone and citation formatting. Option D aligns content, style, and layout to MLA-based journal expectations. The other options undermine credibility or mismatch the context.
Intended publication: School club blog post (robotics). Audience and standards: students and parents; short web post with an engaging hook, subheadings, bullet lists for dates/materials, hyperlink to sign-up form, and an image with alt text; friendly, clear tone. Draft (100 words): Our robotics club is launching a beginner coding workshop for anyone curious about building and programming simple bots. No experience is required. We'll cover basic loops and sensors, then let participants test code on practice robots. Sessions run after school on Wednesdays for four weeks in Room 212. Bring a Chromebook if you have one; we'll have loaners. By the end, you'll drive a line-following robot you coded yourself. Space is limited, so sign up online. Photos from last year's projects will be posted, too. If you like puzzles and teamwork, this is a friendly place to start learning today.
Which revision or formatting approach best prepares this draft for a school blog post?
Convert it into a formal research report with an abstract, section headings, and references; remove the sign-up link to avoid bias.
Adapt it for the web: add an engaging headline and a two-sentence hook, insert subheadings and a bullet list for schedule/materials, embed a hyperlink to the sign-up form, include an image with alt text and a short caption; keep the conversational tone.
Reformat for a print newsletter with two justified columns, remove all links, and compress everything into one paragraph to save space.
Add footnotes and endnotes to define loops and sensors, then attach a bibliography instead of a sign-up section.
Explanation
A club blog needs scannable structure, helpful links, and accessible media. Option B matches web conventions and preserves the friendly tone, while the other options mismatch purpose or reduce usability.