Bring%20on%20the%20Writing%20Prompts!

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• Bring on the Writing Prompts!

Understanding What a Writing Prompt is Asking
and Writing Back
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E.Q. How can we prepare our students to better
understand writing prompts?
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PromptsWhat Are They?

• There is a difference between a writing prompt
  and a story starter
• A story starter might be, I was scared when
• A writing prompt might be something like,
  Everyone is afraid of something. Write a story
  about a time you had to face your fears.

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The Purpose of a Prompt

• A writing prompt gives you a situation to
  write about. It gives you a specific scenario.
  What you write helps your audience see that you
  understand a certain style of writing.

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The Purpose of a Prompt

• Example Your school is being featured on a
  local TV talk show. You have been invited to
  appear on the show to talk about something
  interesting that happened at school. Write about
  what you will say on TV.

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Anything is Possible

• It is possible to learn to read a prompt
  carefully so that we can understand what we are
  expected to write.
• The better we understand the prompt, the better
  job we will do writing about it!

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Reading a PromptStart at the beginning

• Topic The first sentence of a prompt introduces
  the main idea of the topic and gives you the
  biggest clue about what you are to write.
• Heres one
• All kinds of things happen at school. Choose
  one of your experiences to write about.

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Is there more to the topic?

• Elaboration of the topic
• Sometime after the first sentence there will be a
  second sentence that tells a little more about
  the topic. Watch for that one too
• Think about a funny thing that happened to you.
  Which one would make your friends laugh? Write a
  story you would tell so that your friends will
  know why it was funny.

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Check for Limits

• Sometimes we try to say too much when we write!
  Check the prompts for words that help you limit
  what you have to sayWe call this limitations of
  the topic.
• All kinds of things happen at school. Choose one
  to write about.

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Whats your Genre?

• The last sentence of the prompt usually lets you
  know what type of writing you need to create.
• What are some words that let you know that you
  should use

Expository Writing?
tell about
describe
explain
Narrative Writing?
tell a story
think of/ describe a time a time
Persuasive Writing?
convince
persuade
sell
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What do you remember about being in first
grade? Think about your first grade memories.
Choose one and write about it.
Topic?
Possible Graphic Organizers?
Memories of first grade.
Limitation of the topic?
Writing Genre?
Narrative writing, so Im going to write a story.
Choose ONE memory.
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There are many good reasons to play sports.
Some people play competitive sports and some play
recreationally. Think of a sport that you enjoy.
Persuade a friend to play that sport.
Topic
Elaboration of the topic
reasons to play sports
Think of sport that you enjoy.
Possible Graphic Organizers?
Limitations?
Writing Genre
The author should think of only one sport to talk
about
Persuasive writing
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Teachers influence students lives. Explain
how a teacher has influenced your life.
Topic?
Possible Graphic Organizers?
Influential teachers.
Is there a limitation of the topic?
Writing Genre?
Expository
How has one teacher influenced your life?
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Elaboration of the topic
Topic
Tee shirt with elephant on the front
Its a sunny day, and the elephant jumps off the
shirt

• You have a tee shirt with a picture of an
  elephant on the front. One sunny afternoon while
  you are wearing the shirt, the elephant
  mysteriously leaps off your shirt and starts
  running down the street. Write a story about
  what happened.

Possible Graphic Organizers?
Limitations of the Topic
Writing Genre
Narrative, because we are writing a story.
Are there limitations?
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What Comes Next?

• Once you understand the prompt, its time to
  begin writing! Remember the steps of the

WRITING PROCESS!
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Persuasive or Expository?

• Writing situation Schools rules help keep
  students safe. One rule that affects students is
  the dress code. Your principal is reviewing the
  dress code and wants some input from students.
• Directions for writing Write an essay to your
  principal that will suggest changes in the dress
  code that you feel are important. Give specific
  details and reasons to support your ideas.

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Expository or Persuasive?

• Writing situation Schools rules help keep
  students safe. One rule that affects students is
  the dress code. Your principal is reviewing the
  dress code and wants some input from students.
• Directions for writing Convince your principal
  that certain changes need to be made to the
  current dress code. Remember to state details and
  the reasons for your ideas.

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Expository or Persuasive?

• Writing Situation Some students at your school
  think that teachers assign too much homework.
  Teachers are willing to consider implementing a
  homework plan and are asking for student
  suggestions.
• Directions for writing In a letter to your
  teacher, present your homework plam. Explain how
  much homework should be assigned. You may want to
  consider different school subjects and different
  days of the week.

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Expository or Persuasive?

• Writing Situation Schools rules help keep
  students safe. One rule that affects students is
  the dress code. Your principal is reviewing the
  dress code and wants some input from students.
• Directions for Writing Write an essay to
  convince your principal to change the school
  dress code. Be sure to include reasons why the
  changes are necessary.

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Your Turn!

• Your teacher will give you a copy of one of the
  prompts.
• Use the strategies you learned to decide what the
  prompt is asking you to write.
• Create a Pre-writeUse the steps of the writing
  process.
• Have fun!

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Another Strategy

• Ralph Fletcher describes the R.U.P.R. strategy
  that helps students clearly understand what a
  prompt is asking

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Using R.U.P.R.

• Read the prompt once
• Underline the F.A.T.-P. (Format, Audience, Topic,
  and Purpose) in the prompt.
• Plan your answer (Web, List, or other Graphic
  Organizer)
• Reread the prompt to make sure you have answered
  all the parts. (Did I understand the prompt
  correctly? Am I on topic? Should I revise any
  part?)

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Use R.U.P.R. to examine these prompts

• Using your promethium board, examine the
  following prompts. Mark the F.A.T.-P. and discuss
  R.U.P.R.
• PROMPT