FOA 1

1
FOA 1

• Many words act as a noun and a verb. For example,
  the word bug can refer to an insect or to the act
  of bothering someone. A picture of a bug bugging
  a puppy would show both meanings. Draw a picture
  that shows another word as a noun and as a verb.
  Write a sentence that contains the word twice and
  describes what is happening in the picture. Now
  invent an appropriate name for this kind of word.

2
FOA 2

• An autobiography is the story of a persons life
  written by that person. Think about the life you
  hope to live. Create and explain a meaningful
  one-word title for your autobiography about that
  life. (The title cannot be your name.) Next,
  invent a quote from a longtime friend that could
  appear on the back cover and would encourage
  people to buy the book.

3
FOA 3

• A prefix is a word part that is added in front of
  a word. The prefix im- means not. The prefix
  super- means higher or greater. The prefix
  semi- means half or partly. Invent three
  words to describe yourself. Each of the words
  should contain a different one of the prefixes
  defined above. Then write a sentence or two
  explaining why each word is appropriate to
  describe you.

4
FOA 4

• Homophones are words that sound alike but have
  different meanings and spellings. Right and
  write, for example, are homophones. Think of
  other homophone pairs. Write the two words in a
  way that will help someone remember their
  meaning. For example, the word right could be
  written very close to the right edge of the
  paper, while the word write could appear to come
  from a pen tip.

5
FOA 5

• A symbol is an object that stands for an idea.
  For example, four-leaf clovers and horseshoes are
  both symbols for luck. Do you believe in luck? Do
  you think there is anything a person can do to
  become more or less Lucky? Explain.

6
FOA 6

• An understatement is a statement that is weakened
  to convey a stronger meaning. Fore example, after
  an ice skater tripped entering a rink, fell
  during a spin, and ripped her costume, she might
  say, This has not been my best day. What she
  actually means is that it has been a horrible
  day. Describe a day when the President or your
  favorite actor might use that same understatement.

7
FOA 7

• Describe the taste, smell, and appearance of the
  most unusual food youre ever eaten.

8
FOA 8

• Imagine your school is holding an election for
  Best Part of Speech. Write the campaign speech
  you would give in support of the part of speech
  you feel should win the election.

9
FOA 9

• A compound noun is a noun made up of two or more
  words. For example, the words wallpaper and
  sunlight are compound nouns. Think of two other
  compound nouns. Mix up the two parts of the words
  to create two new compound nouns. For example,
  wallpaper and sunlight could be mixed up to
  create sunpaper and walllight. Write an ad for
  one of the crazy new items youve named.

10
FOA 10

• A suffix is a word part that is added at the end
  of a word. The suffix ist means one who. The
  suffix less means without. The suffixes able
  and ible mean capable of being. Invent three
  words to describe the person you hope to be
  someday. Each of the words should contain a
  different one of the suffixes defined above. Then
  write a sentence or two explaining why each word
  describes how you hope to be.

11
FOA 11

• Homophones are words that sound alike but have
  different meanings and spellings. Right and
  write, for example, are homophones. Think of
  other homophone pairs. Write the two words in a
  way that will help someone remember their
  meanings. For example, the word right could be
  written very close to the right edge of the
  paper while the word write could appear to come
  from a pen tip.

12
FOA 12

• Would you rather be a writer or an editor? Why?

13
FOA 13

• Which discovery do you think had the greatest
  impact on history the wheel or a system of
  writing? Explain your view.

14
FOA 14

• Which do you think is more important in writing
  correct grammar or correct spelling? Explain your
  view.

15
FOA 15

• How much impact do you think computers will have
  on learning in the future? Do you think
  textbooks, pencils, and pens will eventually
  disappear? Explain your views.

16
FOA 16

• The author James Michener once said,Im not a
  very good writer, but Im an excellent rewriter.
  How is rewriting different from writing? Write
  two job descriptions one for a writer and one
  for a rewriter. Be sure to list the different
  skills each position requires.

17
FOA 17

• A pet peeve is something a person finds extremely
  annoying. What is your grammar pet peeve? In
  other words, what grammar error do you find
  particularly irritating when you hear or read it?
  Invent an appropriate name for this type of error
  and explain what a writer can do to try to avoid
  it.

18
FOA 18

• An abstract noun names something (an idea,
  quality, etc.) that cannot be touched. Happiness,
  for example, is an abstract noun. Brainstorm at
  least five abstract nouns. Now write one of the
  words and decorate its letters in a way that
  demonstrates its meaning.

19
FOA 19

• Design the cover for a magazine called Parts of
  Speech.

20
FOA 20

• Which of these do you think you could do without
  more easily the ability to read or the ability
  to write? Explain.

21
FOA 21

• Some studies show that 75 percent of the people
  in the United States have a fear of speaking in
  front of a group. Invent a silly new way for
  someone to try to overcome this fear.

22
FOA 22

• Plagiarism is the act of taking another persons
  words or ideas and presenting them as your own.
  What do you think is an appropriate punishment
  for plagiarism? Explain why you think the
  punishment is appropriate.

23
FOA 23

• Invent a business that has to do with language
  arts in some way. What will it be called? What
  kings of items or services will it offer? Who is
  likely to shop there or use the services?

24
FOA 24

• Are you more like a newspaper or a novel? Explain

25
FOA25

• Imagine you work on a writing assembly line. Each
  person on the line performs a different step in
  the writing process (prewriting, drafting,
  evaluating, revising, editing, or publishing).
  Which station would you choose? Why?

26
FOA 26

• The word set has more meanings than any other
  English word. Write as many definitions as you
  can for set. When you have finished, check a
  dictionary to see how many of the words meanings
  you did not identify.

27
FOA 27

• Recipes are basically detailed directions for
  making a dish. Think about a dish you know how to
  make. (It can be as simple as a peanut butter and
  jelly sandwich.) Write silly directions for how
  not to make that dish.

28
FOA 28

• Persuasive writing attempts to convince a reader
  to act or take a position for or against
  something. Write a paragraph or two in which you
  try to convince a reader that watching paint dry
  is a fascinating activity.

29
FOA 29

• A persons theme song is a song that represents
  the person or is closely associated with him or
  her. Think of a real song that could serve as
  your theme song. Explain why it is just right for
  you.

30
FOA 30

• Write the first paragraph of a news story you
  hope will appear in your local newspaper someday.
  Be sure your paragraph tells who, what, where,
  when, and why.