An important aspect of informative writing is being able to convey ideas and information to an audience about something the writer knows well. The writing prompt presented here asks students to write about something eighth-graders are familiar with, namely, backpacks. To engage students in the task, create context, and give them a starting point for their writing, they received a letter in an envelope from a fellow student coming from far away. This student is looking for information about backpacks and how they are used. The letter also helps to give students a starting point for their writing in the limited time period available to them.

See additional student responses and the scoring criteria used for this writing prompt in the NAEP Questions Tool. See an illustration of each rating level plotted on the NAEP scale in the writing item maps.

Percentage of eighth-grade students at each rating level in 2007

NOTE: Detail may not sum to totals because of rounding.

Sample Eighth-Grade Informative Writing Prompt Open the envelope labeled E that you have been given. Take out the letter from Rina and read it. Rina, who wrote the letter, is coming to a school in America for the first time and needs to know what a backpack is. Write a letter back to Rina. In your letter, include a clear description of a backpack and explain in detail what she should keep in it. Remember, the more information Rina has, the better prepared she’ll be to start eighth grade.