1. The Gritty Life Quicklist
From The Story of my Thinking by Gretchen Bernabei and Dottie Hall

2. Number your paper #1-16 #1 and #2- List two pet peeves.
#3 and #4- List things that you would stop and watch on TV.
#5 and #6- List two topics on conversation that you’ve had with friends and family this week.
#7 and #8- List two of your things you own.
#9 and #10- List two things you can do well.
#11 and #12- List two topics that have been in the news recently.
#13 and #14- List two jobs you would like to have in the future.
#15 and #16- List two things you follow/like on Facebook or Twitter.

3. You are an EXPERT! Your Gritty Quicklist has 16 things you know about.
Expository writing asks that you write about what you know.
You are asked to explain.
You are asked to expand.
You are asked to expose.
You are asked to explore.
You are asked to be an expert.
You are an EXPERT! Your Gritty Quicklist has 16 things you know about.

4. Writing is like a sport. In sports, we practice
Writing is like a sport. In sports, we practice. We build our speed & agility. Writer’s do this too. We will now practice a technique called Power Writing to build those skills.
Power writing means students are writing for the entire one minute. What ever comes to mind, write it. There is no judgment.

5. Choose one thing on your list. Circle it.
You will now write for one minute on that topic.
Count how many words you wrote and write that at the top.
“Power Writing” from Jeff Anderson’s 10 Things Every Writer Should Know

6. Now choose one word or phrase from you writing. Circle it.
You will now write for one minute on that topic.
Count how many words you wrote and write that at the top.

7. What did you notice?