The Write Stuff Teacher Guide The Write Stuff
Teacher Facilitation Guide
9th Grade English
Unit: Types of Writing
Learning Objective
"Students will be able to analyze real-world texts (magazines, manuals, letters, etc.) to determine their genre and purpose based on specific textual evidence and 'clues'."
Lesson Sequence
5 min
The Hook: "The Write Stuff" Mini-Quiz
Start with 3 high-energy trivia questions. Mimic a game show host persona to set the mood. Use the intro slide.
10 min
Direct Instruction: Video Viewing
Watch "Types of Writing Overview." Students fill out their Contestant Notes (Guided Notes) during the video. CRITICAL: Pause at 06:40 for the brainstorming activity.
25 min
Application: Genre Scavenger Hunt
Groups sift through physical media (magazines, manuals, etc.) to find examples of 4 out of 7 genres. They must label the example and the "clue" that identified it.
10 min
Closure: The Winner's Circle
Groups present their most unique or hardest-to-categorize find. Rank their personal comfort levels using the exit ticket portion of the notes.
Materials Checklist
"The Write Stuff" Slide Deck
Contestant Notes (Guided Notes)
Scavenger Hunt Instructions & Rubric
Old magazines, newspapers, appliance manuals, and business letters.
Scissors, tape, and Post-it notes.
Pro-Tip
Play high-energy game show music (like Jeopardy or Price is Right ) as students walk in to build immediate engagement!
The Hook Trivia Questions
1. "This genre 'exposes' new ways of understanding our world. What is it?"
(Answer: Expository)
2. "I'm trying to convince you to eat more pizza. What type of writing am I using?"
(Answer: Persuasive)
3. "You just bought a flat-screen TV and need to set it up. What manual are you reading?"
(Answer: Technical)
Common Misconceptions
Expository vs. Research: Explain that Research always requires outside sources/evidence, while Expository can be general knowledge explanation.Analytical vs. Persuasive: Analysis is about meaning ; Persuasion is about opinion/action .Technical Writing: Students often think this means "coding" or "computers." Remind them it's any "how-to" guide, like a cookbook. The Write Stuff Slides The Write Stuff
Genre Showdown
Contestant Briefing: 9th Grade English
Category: Definitions
500 PTS
The Clue:
"This type of writing is used to inform and explain, effectively 'exposing' new ways of understanding our world."
Wait for it...
Feature Segment: The 7 Writing Genres
Embedded media
Grab your Contestant Notes and follow along!
The First Contenders
Expository
Explains and provides information.
Example
"How a TV show impacted a generation."
Analytical
Interprets meaning or significance of a text.
Example
Analyzing the themes of a book or song lyrics.
The Power Players
Persuasive
Convinces a reader to think or act.
Example
Asking for new basketball courts at the park.
Technical
Provides a guide for how to do something.
Example
Oven manuals, cookbooks, or makeup tutorials.
The Final Three
Research
Presenting an issue through in-depth study.
"Sea urchin project."
Professional
Communication for jobs and careers.
Resumes and cover letters.
Narrative
Tells a story to move and entertain.
Novels, short stories, memoirs.
Genre Scavenger Hunt
1
Scan your magazines, newspapers, and letters.
2
Find FOUR different genres.
3
Flag them and label the CLUE that gave it away.
TIMER: 25 MINUTES
25
:
00
"Go hunt for evidence!"
The Winner's Circle
Show us your most unique find.
Why was it hard to categorize? What clue eventually revealed its true identity?
Final Rank Activity
Write On!
Contestant Guided Notes Contestant Entry Form
The Write Stuff
Genre Showdown Guided Notes
Contestant Name
Date
Total Score
---
1
The Big Seven: Definitions & Examples
Genre Definition (Notes from Video) My Example Expository Analytical Persuasive Technical Research Professional Narrative
2
The "Write On" Reflection
Think of a time you've used one of these genres in your real life (even if it wasn't for school!).
3
Personal Power Ranking
Rank each genre from 1 (Expert - "I could win the game!") to 5 (Newbie - "I need a lifeline").
Expository
Analytical
Persuasive
Technical
Research
Professional
Narrative
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Scavenger Hunt Instructions Genre Scavenger Hunt
Official Challenge Instructions
25m
Your Mission
Work with your team to navigate the "media forest" (magazines, newspapers, letters, and manuals). Your goal is to identify real-world examples of at least 4 different writing genres from the seven we've studied.
Challenge Steps
1
Scan the Media: Sift through the provided materials. Look for headlines, body text, or instructional steps.
2
Identify & Tag: Once you find a genre, flag it with a Post-it or cut it out (if allowed). You need 4 different genres total.
3
Label the Evidence: For each example, you must write:
4
Prep for the Winner's Circle: Pick your group's most unique or interesting find to present to the class at the end.
The Genre Cheat Sheet
Expository
Explains or informs. Look for: News articles, encyclopedias.
Analytical
Interprets meaning. Look for: Movie reviews, ad critiques.
Persuasive
Tries to convince. Look for: Editorials, sales letters.
Technical
Instructional. Look for: Manuals, recipes, tutorials.
Research
In-depth study. Look for: Scholarly papers, reports.
Professional
Career-focused. Look for: Resumes, cover letters.
Narrative
Storytelling. Look for: Fiction stories, memoirs, comic strips.
THE WRITE STUFF © GAME CHALLENGE #01
Genre Hunter's Rubric The Judges' Scorecard
Genre Scavenger Hunt Assessment Rubric
Group ID
| Criterion |
Champion
4 Points
|
Contender
3 Points
|
Rookie
1-2 Points
|
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
|
Genre Accuracy
Did you correctly identify the genres?
| All 4 examples are correctly categorized with the appropriate genre label. | 3 examples are correctly categorized. Labels are present for all. | 0-2 examples are correct, or genres are mislabeled. |
|
The "Clues"
Did you provide specific textual evidence?
| Each example includes a clear, specific "clue" from the text that justifies the genre choice. | Most examples include a "clue," though some may be vague (e.g., "it just looks like it"). | Clues are missing or do not relate to the text's characteristics. |
|
Collaboration
Did the team work together effectively?
| Team members shared materials and discussed categorizations respectfully. | Most team members participated, but one or two people did the majority of the work. | Team struggled to stay on task or worked in isolation. |
|
Winner's Circle
Did you present a unique find?
| Group presented a unique example and clearly explained its categorization to the class. | Group presented an example but explanation was brief or slightly unclear. | Group was unprepared to present or did not participate in closure. |
Judges' Comments
Grand Total Score
/ 16
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