Free Real Life Writing Assignments & Examples

Free Real Life Writing Assignments & Examples How to Write a Business Letter How to Write a Formal Email How to Write a Memo (Email style) How to Write a Training Manual How to Write a Nursing Care Plan How to Write an Invoice for Service/Good How to Write a Police/Incident Report How to Write a Letter Appealing a Parking Ticket How to Write a Product Review How to Write a Thank You Card Great for Meeting Informational Writing Standards Includes: How To Guide with General Overview Templates & Setups Assignments for 9-12 Graders with Rubric (Can be modified through pptx. Or used as a PDF) @learninglauren @mslevesqueseng Laurenlearnslife.org

How to Write a Business Letter: • In general, it's wise to keep the body of your business letter direct and brief. • Explain why you are writing in your first paragraph, • Provide more specifics in the next paragraph, and • Use your closing paragraph to reiterate your reason for writing • Thank the recipient for reading, and possibly mention follow-up plans In case you haven’t, here is how to format an envelop Your Return Info The Person’s Info • Styling: Appearances matter! • A business letter is a professional piece of correspondence, but it won't be perceived that way if you opt for a wacky font or have lots of typos. Here are some guidelines to follow: • Choose an appropriate font and font size. • Avoid casual language or slang. • Prevent typos and grammatical errors by proofreading carefully. • If you are printing out the letter, consider choosing high-quality paper. Whatever paper you choose, fold the letter carefully before placing it in the envelope. Some Careers for Business Letter Use: • Admin. Assistant • Business Owner • Public Works • Attorneys/Paralegals • Sales Services • Trades Specialists • Medical Professions • Social Services

Example of a Business Letter: See template on the next page: Jennifer Wilson7 Half Moon DriveBayberry Heights, Massachusetts 02630555-555-5555email@email.com November 14, 2018 Michelle PriceManagerThe Yarn Company324 Central AveBayberry Heights, Massachusetts 02630 Dear Ms. Price: Thank you so much for taking the time to meet with me to discuss selling my handmade sweaters in your wonderful shop. As I mentioned in our conversation, I’ve been a customer of your store since I used my third-grade allowance to buy my very first pair of knitting needles. I’m honored that you’d consider selling one of my original creations at The Yarn Company alongside your own work. We discussed a trial consignment arrangement in which a portion of the sales would go to the store. This is more than agreeable to me. Let me know how you want to proceed. I’m available most afternoons at 555-555-5555, or you can email me at email@email.com, and I’ll respond to your message ASAP. Thanks, and best, Jennifer Wilson

Business Letter Template Your NameYour AddressCity, State Zip CodeYour Phone NumberYour Email AddressNote: If you are using personalized letterhead that includes this information, leave off this section. Date: In the United States, the format for writing the date is month, date, and year. For example, September 3, 2018. Do not abbreviate the month. Recipient's Contact Information: Include the contact information for the person you are writing to. If you do not have a specific name, leave that off. NameTitleCompanyAddressCity, State Zip Code Salutation: Start off the letter with a salutation, such as "Dear" followed by the title and name. See more examples of appropriate greetings to use in a business letter, as well as advice on what to do if you do not have a specific contact person. Follow the person's name with a colon. Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name: Body of Business Letter Keep your letter simple and focused, so the purpose of your letter is clear. The first paragraph of your business letter should provide an introduction to why you are writing. Then, in the following paragraphs provide more information and details about your request. The final paragraph should reiterate the reason you are writing and thank the reader for reviewing your request. Single space your letter and justify your letter to the left. Leave a blank line between each paragraph. Complimentary Close: Respectfully yours, Signature: Handwritten Signature (for a mailed letter) Typed Signature (for emailed)

Business Letter Assignment To assess expository writing we will complete the following: • Create a fictional business big or small (it may be like the yarn sales from the example, or a larger concept, maybe act as a business you are familiar with). • You could sell: Clothing, Makeup, Tickets, Cars, Food, Coffee, Technology, anything! • Formulate a letter to someone you are attempting to make a sale to (explain why your product/service/company is great). • Consider AUDIENCE: Who is this person, what would they care about? • Keep a Professional Tone – are you using slang? Is your grammar on point? • Follow the provided template and format. • Print and place in an enveloper that is properly addressed. • Lastly, provide a note on a separate page/document that explains when you may do this kind of writing later on in life based on your interests or goals.

How to Write a Formal Email • Things to ask yourself when writing a Formal Email: • Do I have a clear audience? • Is there a specific purpose that is addressed? • Is this email Necessary and Appropriate? Sometimes as adults, we write emails while on the bus, waiting to pick up food, even in the grocery store. It is important to know that our emails matter and formal emails require thought and attention. Get stuck on the Greetings & Goodbyes? An Email can leave a lasting impression (good or bad) so make sure you are thoughtful in word choice and purpose. • Dear • To Whom It May Concern • Hello Mrs./Mr. • Greetings • ----- • Best Regards • Warmly • Thank You • Have a Nice day Advice for the Future Always be sure to check and double check who you are sending the email AND if you are Replying or Replying to Everyone.

How to Write a Formal Email Structure 1. Begin with a greeting Always open your email with a greeting, such as “Dear”. If your relationship with the reader is formal, use their family name (eg.“Dear Mrs. Price”). If the relationship is more casual, you can simply say, “Hi Kelly”. If you don’t know the name of the person you are writing to, use: “To whom it may concern” or “Greetings” etc. 2. Thank the recipientIf you are replying to a client’s inquiry, you should begin with a line of thanks. For example, if someone has a question about your company, you can say, “Thank you for contacting…”. If someone has replied to one of your emails, be sure to say, “Thank you for your prompt reply” or “Thanks for getting back to me”. Thanking the reader puts him or her at ease, and it will make you appear more polite. 3. State your purpose If you are starting the email communication, it may be impossible to include a line of thanks. Instead, begin by stating your purpose. For example, “I am writing to enquire about …” or “I am writing in reference to …”. 4. Add your closing remarks Before you end your email, it’s polite to thank your reader one more time and add some polite closing remarks. You might start with “Thank you for your patience and cooperation” or “Thank you for your consideration” and then follow up with, “If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to let me know” and “I look forward to hearing from you”. 4. End with a closing statement The last step is to include an appropriate closing with your name. “Best regards”, “Sincerely”, and “Thank you” are all professional. Avoid closings such as “Best wishes” or “Cheers” unless you are good friends with the reader. Finally, before you hit the send button, review and spell check your email one more time to make sure it’s truly perfect!

How to Write a Formal Email Compare Examples of Jane Doe’s Emails for Clarity • Version 1 of Jane Doe’s Email: • Subject: tomorrow • As you know, tomorrow afternoon we’ll be meeting to discuss the status of all of our current projects. Donuts will be provided. Be sure to arrive on time and bring along teh materials you have been working on this week—bring enough copies for everyone. Some of these material might include your calendars, reports, and any important emails you have sent. Also, I wanted to remind you that your parking permit requests are due later this week; you should turn those in to Ms. Jones, and if she is not at her desk when you stop by, you can email them to her. • Version 2 of Jane Doe’s Email: • Subject: materials for Wed. staff meeting • Hi, everyone— • For tomorrow’s 3 p.m. staff meeting in the conference room, please bring 15 copies of the following materials: • Your project calendar • A one-page report describing your progress so far • A list of goals for the next month • Copies of any progress report messages you have sent to clients this past month • See you tomorrow— • Jane

Formal Email Assignment To assess expository writing we will complete the following: • Compose an email in which you communicate something clearly through an email. • Need help with a topic? Emails to teachers should always be formal – practice asking a question about a grade, what we are doing next, or to inform me on an absence, etc. • Practice following the provided structure and steps • Use a proper voice (friendly but formal) • Email Me • Lastly, provide a note on a separate page/document that explains when you may do this kind of writing later on in life based on your interests or goals.

How to Write a Memo: • Memos have a twofold purpose: they bring attention to problems, and they solve problems. • They accomplish their goals by informing the reader about new information like policy changes, price increases, or by persuading the reader to take an action, such as attend a meeting, or change a current production procedure. • Regardless of the specific goal, memos are most effective when they connect the purpose of the writer with the interests and needs of the reader. A memo (also known as a memorandum, or "reminder") is used for internal communications regarding procedures or official business within an organization. Unlike any email, a memo is a message you send to a large group of employees, like your entire department or everyone at the company. You might need to write a memo to inform staff of events, or broadcast changes. Large Groups = Embarrassing Mess Ups. Proofread over and over before hitting “send” Some Careers that use Memo’s • Any large Company • Admin. Assistant • Business Owner • Public Works • Human Resources • Attorneys/Paralegals • Sales Services • Retail • Medical Professions • Social Services MAKE SURE TO: Use Lists & Bullets if Possible Be Specific (Don’t leave out date or location if needed) Be Concise (Peopled don’t always read long emails/notices so make sure you get to the point but provide necessary info) Consider what you would want/need to know.

Memo Template & Example TEMPLATE MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: Intro: I'm writing to inform you that [reason for writing memo]. Paragraph One: In the first paragraph, you'll want to quickly and clearly state the purpose of your memo. You might begin your sentence with the phrase, "I'm writing to inform you … " or "I'm writing to request ... ". A memo is meant to be short, clear, and to-the-point. Paragraph Two: In the second paragraph, you'll want to provide context or supporting evidence. Paragraph Three: In the third paragraph, you'll want to include your specific request of each employee -- if you're planning a team outing, this is the space you'd include, "Please RSVP with dietary restrictions," or "Please email me with questions.” Be Formal but Polite. Choose Words Carefully EXAMPLE: Check and recheck when entering addresses. Proofread!

Memo Assignment To assess expository writing we will complete the following: • Create a fictional job at a company that would need to send a memo (school’s send them as well) along with many other fields. • Formulate a memo in a document first following the appropriate structure. • Consider AUDIENCE: What do these people need to know? • Keep a Professional Tone – are you using slang? Is your grammar on point? • Draft as an email and send it to me once completed. • Lastly, provide a note on a separate page/document that explains when you may do this kind of writing later on in life based on your interests or goals.

How to Write a Training Manual Almost any job you encounter will have some form of manual whether it is Safety oriented, Step oriented, or Policy Oriented. Training manuals provide information about how to perform specific job tasks. They are beneficial to new employees, as they include detailed information about policies and procedures that need to be followed as well as instructions regarding what needs to be done and how. Visuals Make Manuals More Successful and Clear Types of Manuals: • Equipment Operations • Daily Tasks (Open/Close a Restaurant/Store etc.) • Safety Manual (hazardous materials, machines, etc.) • Hygienic Manual (How to clean parts) • Instructional Manual (Step by Step) Often times parts of Manuals are hung up visually as reminders within a work place – these may be instructions on how/when to wash hands and more.

How to Write a Training Manual Manual for Ice Cream Scooper Manual for Barista

Training Manual Assignment To assess expository writing we will complete the following: • Consider a task (doing the laundry, cooking something, straightening your hair, washing a car) or a job that you currently have/are familiar with - to explain to someone else. • Create a one page guide with visuals and directions. • Be specific and clear about expectations and reasoning. • Follow an appropriate order • Consider why it is important to do something the way you are explaining. • Lastly, provide a note on a separate page/document that explains when you may do this kind of writing later on in life based on your interests or goals.

How to Write a Nursing Care Plan • It provides focus for individualized patient care. It gives direction on the flow of care planned for the patient. • It promotes continuity of care. A nursing care plan is a good communicating tool for patient care between nurses. • t gives a quick glimpse on the intensity of care the patient needs. Creating a nursing care plan is often an unwanted task for most nursing students and yet, it is the core of nursing practice. diagnosis, data, expected outcomes, interventions, evaluation. A great care plan can and should have the following components to ensure proper care of the patient: While this is extremely specific consider all of the various fields that may use Care Plans: • Nurses • Doctors • Physical Therapists • Occupational Therapists • Chiropractors • Athletic Trainers • Dentists

Care Plan Template & Example Diagnosis: Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements related to inability to ingest food. Data: Generalized weakness seen by shaking and headaches with difficulty focusing. Expected Outcomes: Before discharge, patient will demonstrate nutritional ingestion sufficient for daily metabolic needs by improving weight measurement and enhanced energy levels. Interventions Look for signs of unwillingness to cooperate (not eating) Evaluation: Patient verbalized increase in appetite. EXAMPLE: Diagnosis: This is the topmost healthcare need of the patient Data: These are the ways the nurse knows/assessed that supports the diagnoses. Expected Outcomes: These are the goals for the nursing care plan made. The care plan made is considered successful once the expected outcomes are met. Interventions: hese are the actions that will help achieve the desired outcomes for the patient. Evaluation:. This determines the effectiveness of the interventions implemented. TEMPLATE Consider what other nurses would need to know if they had to read this to determine care.

Care Plan Assignment To assess expository writing we will complete the following: • You are at home from school, sick for the day, from Nursing School. • The only way to excuse your absence is to write a Care Plan for yourself. • Choose the illness/injury that you know most about and write a Care Plan following the structure and format. • Follow a tone of medical informativeness – so be clear, concise, and specific. • Turn in as a Doc on Paper once complete. • Lastly, provide a note on a separate page/document that explains when you may do this kind of writing later on in life based on your interests or goals.

How to Write an Invoice An invoice is a document or bill sent by a provider of goods and services to their customer. Invoices itemize the transaction and include payment amounts and terms. Invoices are a written agreement verifying the exchange between the buyer and seller, which establishes an obligation to pay on the part of the buyer. You’ve set up your business and you’ve sold goods or services to clients and customers, which means they need to receive an invoice. But how do you write one? Time is Money: Sending invoices out on time is important for Businesses/ Services. Are you punctual with your work? Pages, Word, and Google All have Templates for Invoices in their Setup! Ask forMore Info when Completing Yours Everyone has to get paid right? Careers that rely on invoices: • Small Business Owners • Large Corporations • Sales • Tradesman Services (Plumbing, Electrical, Automotive, etc.) • Party Planning • Caterers • Interior Design • Photographers

Invoice Template & Example EXAMPLE: TEMPLATE • Include: • Company Name • Address • Date • Bill to: • Description of Service Completed • Prices for Services • Total Services • Tax • Total • How to pay • And a Thank you!

Invoice Assignment To assess expository writing we will complete the following: • You have just performed a service or sold a good to someone (create anything you’d like). • Now you must bill them with the specifics. • Use a pre-formed template • In pages/Docs/Word just select Create New From Template and pick an Invoice that meets the requirements • Provide the necessary information and specifics in a professional manner. • Turn in the report when completed • Lastly, provide a note on a separate page/document that explains when you may do this kind of writing later on in life based on your interests or goals.

How to Write a Police/Incident Report • Bias is the enemy of a good police report. • Here are ways to avoid Bias in your writing: • Avoid generalizations and hunches, which can open you up to challenges in a courtroom later • Avoid slang and insensitive language • Start each sentence with a person, place, or thing UNLESS you have absolute confidence in your writing ability. Police reports come in various kinds and are used by Lawyers, Insurance Agents, Investigators, Judges, and more. In a Type #1, the officer is a primarily recorder. (Incident reports fall into this category.) Someone calls to report a crime, and you write down what happened. Examples might be a theft, assault, or sexual attack. Detail is extremely Important in Police Reports – Practice Unbiased Descriptions if you are interested in this field. Some Careers Read These Reports Think about the 5 W’: who, what, when, where, why. If you’re writing on paper, most of this information will go into your opening sentence. Include full names and contact information for witnesses, victims, and suspects • Police • Game Wardens • Investigators • Detectives • Coroners • Lawyers • Judges • Insurance Agents

Police Report Specifics There are four types of Police Reports, we are focusing on a Type 1 which needs to be Clear & Organized. CLEAR: For a police report to be clear, it must properly identify the persons, places and/or things relevant to the crime . Poor Example: Victim states three acquaintances struck him at the shopping center. One hit him with a bat and then they pushed him down in the parking lot. He admitted it, but she said she was not involved. Better Example: Don Smith states that as he and his girlfriend, Sandi Cook, were at Costco in the Franklin Shopping Center, Butch Jones, an acquaintance, hit Don Smith with a bat causing a bruise on his right arm. Then Mandi Smith and Danny Wolfe, also acquaintances, pushed him down in the parking lot. Butch admitted he hit Don with the bat. However, Mandi stated she was not involved. WELL-ORGANIZED: A well-organized report arranges the description of the crime in chronological order based on the officer’s involvement so that it is understandable and does not have to be explained. Poor Example: I got the call at 3:10pm and immediately responded to the Shell station. The victim was gassing his car and got carjacked. Witness got the license number and I BOLO’d it with negative results. Better Example: 1/10/18, 3:18pm: Reporting officer arrived at the scene, located at 1782 Acadia Blvd. I interviewed the victim, Robert Brown, at 3:20pm. Brown stated that after fueling his red Ford F150 pickup, he started toward the cashier’s window when he remembered leaving his keys in the ignition. As he turned around, he saw his vehicle leaving the parking lot, turning left on Acadia Blvd. I interviewed the witness, Jerry Vale, at 3:26pm. Vale stated he saw the suspect jump in victim’s truck and take off quickly. Vale got the license number of victim’s truck, stating it was North Carolina tag MDL-1254. Vale stated the suspect was a white male, mid-20s, shaved head, wearing dirty jeans and a black hooded sweatshirt. I broadcast a “Be-On-the-Look-Out” at 3:28pm with negative results.

Incident/Police Report Example EXAMPLE: At 5:22 p.m. on May 12, 2010, I was dispatched to 239 Carol Avenue regarding a theft. Lawrence Cooper (DOB 7-15-1987) reported that his son David’s bicycle had been stolen. Cooper then told me the following: -David (DOB 11-04-2001) had brought the bicycle into the carport the evening before (May 11) -The bicycle wasn’t locked -The bicycle is from Walmart bright blue with black tires and black handlebars -The bicycle is three years old or so David went to the carport after school to ride the bicycle. He saw the bicycle was missing. When his father came home, David told him that the bike had been stolen. Lawrence called the police at 5:20. No one was home all day. Neither David nor Lawrence knows when the bicycle was stolen. They don’t remember whether it was in the carport this morning. They did not hear any unusual noises last night. TEMPLATE

Incident Report Assignment To assess expository writing we will complete the following: • You are interviewing a witness as the Police • You must record the information as specific and unbiased as possible. • You must follow the appropriate and provided manner as instructed. • Your narrative is clear and organized as modeled. • Turn in the report when completed. • Lastly, provide a note on a separate page/document that explains when you may do this kind of writing later on in life based on your interests or goals.

Letter of Appeal to the Law Where you are contesting a parking ticket or something more serious it is a part of real life to complete these requests • Use simple, succinct language and clearly outline why you believe you should not have received the ticket. • Avoid name-calling, rude language and blaming the person who issued the citation. • Your letter should be as professional as possible. The letter should follow a standard business format and be typed. Research relevant local traffic laws. If you’re not sure if your parking ticket was fair, you’ll need to review these to make solid case. Tip – Did the law not help you provide your point? Write a letter explaining why your parking ticket shouldn't be enforced. You'll need to provide a valid defense, such as payment or lack of signage.

Never Seen One?

Letter of Appeal to the Law November 13, 2012 Re: Parking Ticket Citation #1234567 To whom it may concern, I received a parking ticket on November 11, and the reason given on the citation was that I was parked in a zone that had been designated for street cleaning. However, the 11th was Veterans Day, and it was my understanding that street sweeping is not in effect on government holidays. I have never had any problems on other holidays that fell on street cleaning days and am confused as to why I received a ticket. I believe the citation was made in error, and if that is the case, I would like to contest it. I have never received a parking citation before, and if I had been aware that street sweeping occurred on holidays, I can assure you that my car would not have been in the road crew’s way. If there are any questions, please feel free to contact me. Best, Jane Doe 213.555.0198 jdoe@mail.com EXAMPLE LETTER TO CONTEST PARKING TICKET To whom it may concern, I am contesting Citation Number I received on Date at Time, which states my car was parked at or near Location. I am writing to formally challenge this ticket for the following reasons. 1. 2. etc. Regards, Name TEMPLATE

Parking Ticket Assignment To assess expository writing we will complete the following: • Following the provided format write a letter to the law to contest your parking ticket. • Be formal and respectful using rhetoric of the person reading the letter • Support your request with evidence • Proofread and spell check following a formal letter format. • Consider valid and logical reasoning how you can get out paying the ticket • Lastly, provide a note on a separate page/document that explains when you may do this kind of writing later on in life based on your interests or goals.

How to Write a Product Review • A review is nothing more than product-centered content that should investigate in-depth both the benefits and drawbacks of specific goods or services. • Ideally, a product review should come from an independent author. Such a reviewer would presumably shed light on various products, and represent a neutral, unbiased perspective (this is not an ad). Today many people vlog and blog product reviews for a living or even a side hustle. But what makes a Product Review successful enough to attract people to your version of this service? Do you follow anyone online that does reviews of products? What do you enjoy about how they go about it. Before purchasing people read reviews to decide if they should invest their money – so your review matters! Popularly Reviewed Items • Technology (phones, tablets, computers, headphones, etc.) • Beauty Products • Games • Toys • Cleaning Products/Tools • Equipment (Sports, Tools, Parts etc.) Sites like Swagbucks, Review Stream, Shared Reviews and more pay people to write reviews for companies that pay them!

How to Write a Product Review Did you Know? Instead of Providing a Template Here are Key Areas to Discuss Talk about how the product grew on you and share first impressions (and all the consecutive ones!). Share your experiences with the product. List real pros and cons of the product. Tell the readers if a product is aimed at them [who the target users/buyers are]. Rule if the product is of the highest quality and whether it’s simply worth buying. Is it user-friendly? Discuss some potential pain points. Provide alternatives. • 84% of people trust online reviews as much as a personal recommendation • 7 out of 10 consumers will write a review for a business if they’re asked to • 90% of consumers read less than 10 reviews before forming an opinion about a business • 54% of people will visit the website after reading positive review • 73% of consumers think that reviews older than 3 months are no longer relevant • 74% of consumers say that positive reviews make them trust a businesses more • 58% of consumers say that the star rating of a business is most important. • Survey conducted by Bright Local Have you ever read Reviews that have influenced you to purchase a product or not?

Product Review Assignment To assess expository writing we will complete the following: • Think of a product you are very familiar with or recently purchased • By researching and considering how you’ve used it write a review that could be posted on its website, Amazon, Walmart, etc. • Be honest, specific, and present Pro’s and Con’s towards using this product. • Alert others as to why they should or should not spend their money. • Get personal – let people know why this matters to you. • Lastly, provide a note on a separate page/document that explains when you may do this kind of writing later on in life based on your interests or goals.

How to Write a Thank You Card: Thank You Cards -Set You Apart -Show Gratitude -Create Relationships Thank you cards express gratefulness and make people feel appreciated. Whether for personal or work related, these examples of everyday writing create opportunities to share love and community with others through written word. Etiquette around Thank You Notes: Write a thank-you note within a day or two of receiving a gift. (Unless it’s after your wedding, you have six weeks to send your thank-you notes, but sooner is always better.) Did you Know? A Study on Thank You Notes by Amit Kumar: Results showed that people expressing gratitude underestimated how pleasantly surprised recipients would be to receive a handwritten "thank you" and how positive the expression of gratitude made recipients feel. On the flip side, people who wrote thank-you letters overestimated the potential awkwardness that someone receiving a heartfelt thank-you note would experience. Jimmy Fallon writes Thank You Cards each week?

How to Write a Thank You Card: Steps to a Successful Note • Open your card with a greeting that addresses your card recipient. • Write a thank you message to express your gratitude. • Add specific details to your thank you card. • Write a forward looking statement. • Reiterate your thanks. • End with your regards When to Write One: • After a Holiday (if you attended at someone else’s house) • After receiving gifts (Birthday, Wedding, Housewarming, Graduation, etc.) • After someone does you a favor (helps you move, attends an event of yours, etc.) • After being given an opportunity

Thank You Card Assignment To assess expository writing we will complete the following: • Consider something you could/should have thanked someone for recently. • Compose a card following the advice provided on structure and format. • Make sure to express gratitude in your tone. • Consider when else you may write thank you cards. • Turn in for grading and then I hope you can give it to them

Free Real Life Writing Assignments & Examples