ATTACK THE PROMPT

It’s as easy as ABCD!

• A = Attack the Prompt• B = Brainstorm possible

answers• C = Choose the order of your

response• D = Detect errors before turning

in the draft.

Attack the Prompt

• The prompt comes in 2 parts. The first part is a “warm-up” and the REAL directions come in the second half. You have to program your brain to only pay attention to the directions!

Get rid of what you do not need!

• Cross out the words “Write a composition” in the prompt. We already know that our purpose is to write. Your prompt may use these terms that will mean the same thing: essay, paper, composition, report.

• The only word to make note of is “LETTER” because this tells you that your writing should include a salutation.

If we apply this strategy to our last writing prompt:

Many people like to have a place where they can go to relax or unwind. It could be indoors or outdoors. Some people prefer quiet surroundings while others like a busier atmosphere or place. Think about a place you like to go to relax or unwind.Write a report to be read in class that describes a place that you like to go to relax or unwind. Be sure to include specific examples and details that explain why the place is relaxing and support your statements.

Next, circle any word that asks you to do something.

.Many people like to have a place where they can go to relax or unwind. It could be indoors or outdoors. Some people prefer quiet surroundings while others like a busier atmosphere or place. Think about a place you like to go to relax or unwind.Write a report to be read in class that describes a place that you like to go to relax or unwind. Be sure to include specific examples and details that explain why the place is relaxing and support your statements.

Draw an arrow from each circled word to what it specifically tells you to do.

Write a report to be read in class that describes a place that you like to go to relax or unwind. Be sure to include specific examples and details that explain whythe place is relaxing and support your statements.

Summarize what you know about the prompt:

Under the prompt, rewrite and number the circled words. Next to each word, rewrite what the word asks you to do. This now gives you just the critical information you need to know to write for the prompt and reduces your chance of getting distracted and/or going off topic.

What our prompt looks like now:

1. DESCRIBE: a place where I like to go to relax

2. INCLUDE: specific details and examples

3. EXPLAIN: why this place is my spot for relaxing

Practice on your own:By the time students enter high school, they have learned about many moments in history that have influenced our world today. Think about a moment in history you have studied and consider its importance.

Write a composition in which you discuss a moment in history. Share its importance in today’s world. Be sure to support the moment with details and examples.

Here’s what it looks like after our attack:

By the time students enter high school, they have learned about many moments in history that have influenced our world today. Think about a moment in history you have studied and consider its importance. (This is the first half or the “warm up” that introduces us to the topic – it does not tell us what to do in our writing. Read it – but do not let it confuse you about your purpose when you begin writing!)

Write a composition in which you discuss a moment in history. Share its importance in today’s world. Be sure to support the moment with details and examples.

So what am I writing?

1. DISCUSS: a moment in history

2. SHARE: the importance of that moment to our world today

3. SUPPORT: answer with specific details and examples

B = Brainstorm Possible AnswersWhat are some moments in history that I know about? About which one do I think I could write the most/best?

Why is that event important?

What details and examples should I include?

C = Choose the order of my response

Is this a persuasive essay or an expository essay?

Which parts of my brainstorming list make sense for the type of essay that I have to write?

D = Detect ErrorsIt makes no sense to spend an hour writing something and turn it in with errors that will keep your reader from completely understanding you! Do not skip the revision step! Give yourself plenty of time to take a look at your writing and make sure that it’s the best example of what you can do.

Here is our topic:

Write a composition in which you discuss a moment in history. Share its importance in today’s world. Be sure to support the moment with details and examples.

1. DISCUSS: a moment in history

2. SHARE: the importance of that moment to our world today

3. SUPPORT: answer with specific details and examples

Brainstorm on your own paper:

What are some moments in history that I know about? About which one do I think I could write the most/best?

Why is that event important?

What details and examples should I include?

Be Choosey!

Is this a persuasive essay or an expository essay?

Which parts of my brainstorming list make sense for the type of essay that I have to write?

This essay is expositoryLook back at your brainstorm list about the important events in history that you know about. Do you have a great HOW! highlight? Do you have at least 2-3 good other highlights to use as well? Can you give specific examples/details to support your highlights?

Remember Organization for the Expository Essay:

• In order to organize your thoughts and make the highlights effective, you can:

– Compare/Contrast– Show Cause/Effect– Problem/Solution– Analyze/Classify

START YOUR ENGINE AND WRITE!

Take a deep breath, look at what you need to do, decide what information you will use, organize your thoughts, and start writing! When you finish, take another deep breath, and take a new look at your paper.

When you revise, ask yourself:

HAVE YOU USED SPECIFICITY???

• Is your IDEA clearly stated? – Did you stay focused on your topic

and purpose?– Do you have supporting

details/examples/ideas that are logical and make sense?

– Did you use the write strategies/organization for the type of essay you wrote?

• Have you ORGANIZED your paper in a logical way?

– Did you include an effective introduction and conclusion?

– Do you have a logical sequence of ideas?

– Did you use effective transitions and did you use a good variety of transitional words/phrases?

• Does your STYLE show in your writing? – Have you chosen engaging and precise

words? – Do you have a good variety of sentences?– Have you helped your reader create the

“movie” in his/her head so that you can keep his/her attention?

• Will the CONVENTIONS that you have used help your reader to fully understand your writing?

– Are your sentences formed correctly?– Do subjects and verbs agree?– Do all pronouns agree with their

antecedents?– Is the majority of your spelling,

capitalization, and punctuation correct?– Have prepositional phrases been used

correctly?

What have you learned?Attack the following prompt:

All of us have heard about certain individuals who have become heroes when they were least expecting to. This may account for the fact that heroes are not born but rather made by circumstances.

What is your definition of a hero? Describe the characteristics of a hero. Cite a specific incident or circumstance where you believe someone acted heroically.

• A = Attack the prompt

• B = Brainstorm possible answers

• C = Choose the order of your response

• D = Detect errors before turning the draft in

What have you learned?Another high school has just been built two miles from yours. A younger friend has the choice of attending your school or the new one next year. He has asked you to help him make the decision.

Help your friend. Write a letter to him/her describing some of the advantages and/or disadvantages of choosing your high school. Be convincing.

• A = Attack the prompt

• B = Brainstorm possible answers

• C = Choose the order of your response

• D = Detect errors before turning the draft in