1. Writing to a Prompt Three simple strategies for teaching and learning the writing process

2. TOFA the Prompt T opic - What the paper is about: A time in your life, a possession, something you’ve learned, etc. The topic may or may not be given in the prompt. *Focusing on the topic will give your paper unity. T opic - What the paper is about: A time in your life, a possession, something you’ve learned, etc. The topic may or may not be given in the prompt. *Focusing on the topic will give your paper unity. O pinion – What opinion or attitude will influence the tone and word choice of your paper? Sometimes this is not given in the prompt and you will have to describe your own opinion. O pinion – What opinion or attitude will influence the tone and word choice of your paper? Sometimes this is not given in the prompt and you will have to describe your own opinion. F ormat – Should you write a letter, an essay, a persuasive paper, a descriptive paper? This will influence the organization and structure of your writing. **Make sure ALL papers have a beginning, middle, and end. F ormat – Should you write a letter, an essay, a persuasive paper, a descriptive paper? This will influence the organization and structure of your writing. **Make sure ALL papers have a beginning, middle, and end. A udience – Who are you supposed to be writing to? A friend, your teacher, the principal, a school board member? Regardless of the prompt, there is always a HIDDEN AUDIENCE – adults who are scoring your paper. Keep them in mind! The audience influences your word choice and the language you use. A udience – Who are you supposed to be writing to? A friend, your teacher, the principal, a school board member? Regardless of the prompt, there is always a HIDDEN AUDIENCE – adults who are scoring your paper. Keep them in mind! The audience influences your word choice and the language you use.

3. Hidden Audience There is always a HIDDEN AUDIENCE on the SOL -Adults -Don’t use generational/slang language -Experiences & interests will be different from yours -Not from Roanoke -“Tanglewood” vs. “the local mall” -VT – Virginia Tech or Vermont? -Don’t know you **He will never know if your story is true or not!! - Remember this is not a biography!!

4. Practice TOFA Prompt: If someone discovered a formula that would enable us to live forever, would that be a blessing or a curse? Use specific reasons & examples to support your answer. TOPICOPINIONFORMATAUDIENCE A formula that would enable us to live forever Would that be a blessing or a curse? Give reasons & examples to support your answer Hidden Audience

5. Writing a Thesis Your thesis is the MAIN point of your entire paper. It should directly respond to the prompt! It can be stated in ONE SENTENCE. It is a STATEMENT, not a question. COMBINE THE TOPIC & OPINION from TOFA!

6. Practice TOFA Prompt: If someone discovered a formula that would enable us to live forever, would that be a blessing or a curse? Use specific reasons & examples to support your answer. TOPICOPINIONFORMATAUDIENCE A formula that would enable us to live forever Would that be a blessing or a curse? Give reasons & examples to support your answer Hidden Audience A formula that would enable us to live forever would be a curse because…

7. The Five Paragraph Essay 1 st Paragraph  INTRODUCTION 2 nd Paragraph  Body #1 (Main Point) 3 rd Paragraph  Body #2 (Main Point) 4 th Paragraph  Body #3 (Main Point 5 th Paragraph  Conclusion

8. Main Point 2 Main Point 3 Thesis Main Point 1 Evidence Evidence Evidence

9. ________

10. INTRODUCTION –Hook –Background Information –Thesis –(Preview) CONCLUSION –Restate your thesis. (Try not to repeat it… build on it!) –Summarize your main points –Leave the reader with something to think about –Do not bring up new information! Composing & Written Expression

11. BODY PARAGRAPHS –There is no specific rule that says you have to have three… That is just a good guide! –Each body paragraph should have a clear TOPIC SENTENCE that introduces your main point of that paragraph and relates it to the thesis/prompt. –Support each body paragraph with EVIDENCE – specific examples from your life, someone else’s life, literature, history, pop culture, etc. *Aim for three pieces of evidence; BUT, focus on QUALITY over quantity! Composing & Written Expression

12. TRANSITIONS –Transitions are bridges in your writing that take the reader from one thought to the next and help to avoid choppiness. –You need transitions between paragraphs that show the movement from one idea to the next. –You might also use transitions to connect sentences within a paragraph. Composing & Written Expression

13. Furthermore Besides Finally In addition to Above all In fact Most important Then Next First, Second, Third… Last Therefore Also

14. Usage & Mechanics: CAPSS Capitalization Beginning of sentences. Proper Nouns – Names of people, places, etc. The pronoun “I” Audience Did you use any slang or generational language? Did you use formal/academic tone? Is your paper’s content appropriate? Punctuation Did you use correct end punctuation? (Periods and Question Marks) Did you correctly use commas and semi-colons where needed?

15. Usage & Mechanics - CAPSS Structure Does your intro capture the reader’s attention? Do you have a clear thesis? Is your thesis supported with specific information and/or examples. Is your writing organized in a logical manner WITH TRANSITIONS? Are your sentences varied and complete? Do they make sense? Does the conclusion bring your ideas together? Spelling MAKE SURE TO TURN SPELL CHECK ON & DOUBLE CHECK IT AT THE END OF YOUR ESSAY! Read your ENTIRE essay checking for words that “don’t look correct.” Use a different word if you aren’t sure about the spelling!