1. Attacking the Writing Prompt
Before writing your essay, read the prompt several times to make sure you understand what it is asking you to do.

2. Strategies for Attacking the Prompt
Circle the words that ask you to do something.
Analyze the prompt to identify:
Subject: (What am I writing about?)
Purpose: (Why am I writing the essay?)
Audience: (Who will read my response?)
Format: (What format does the prompt require?)

3. REMEMBER: Students are expected to write a 5 paragraph essay
in response to the writing prompt.
Even if the prompt says “write a letter,” you should organize it into a five paragraph essay.

4. SPAF for Practice Prompt:
Subject: _______________________
(What am I writing about?)
Purpose: _______________________
(Why am I writing the essay?)
Audience: _______________________
(Who will read my response?)
Format: _______________________
(What format should I use?)

5. Circle the words that ask you to do something.
Practice Prompt 1
Some high schools require drug tests for all students who want to participate in a school sport. Before adopting this policy, your school’s principal has asked for student opinions. Write a letter to the principal stating your position. Support that position with reasons and examples. Persuade the principal to agree with you.

6. SPAF for Practice Prompt 1:
Subject: _______________________
(What am I writing about?)
Purpose: _______________________
(Why am I writing the essay?)
Audience: _______________________
(Who will read my response?)
Format: _______________________
(What format should I use?)

7. Circle the words that ask you to do something.
Practice Prompt 2
Arizona legislators are trying to find ways to balance the state budget. They announced that school funding will be severely cut. Administrators at your school must make the difficult decision to eliminate one school program. What program do you think should be cut at your school? Write an essay identifying the program you feel should be eliminated. Support your position with reasons and examples. Persuade your school administrators to agree with you.

8. SPAF for Practice Prompt 2:
Subject: _______________________
(What am I writing about?)
Purpose: _______________________
(Why am I writing the essay?)
Audience: _______________________
(Who will read my response?)
Format: _______________________
(What format should I use?)

9. Circle the words that ask you to do something.
Practice Prompt 3
Technology is advancing rapidly. Do you agree or disagree that technology has improved your life? Write a persuasive essay in which you convince the reader of your position.

10. SPAF for Practice Prompt 3:
Subject: _______________________
(What am I writing about?)
Purpose: _______________________
(Why am I writing the essay?)
Audience: _______________________
(Who will read my response?)
Format: _______________________
(What format should I use?)

11. Practice: Write a Thesis Statement
Select one practice prompt from this presentation.
Write a thesis statement.

12. An essay’s Thesis Statement:
Clearly states the position you will support in the body paragraphs.
Helps readers predict the structure of your essay.
Fully responds to the writing prompt.
Is placed at the end of your essay’s introduction.
Does NOT use “I,” “I think,” “In my opinion” or “In this paper I will…”
Is NOT a question.
Is NOT an unsupportable opinion.
(You must have reasons, facts, examples to
back it up.)

13. Practice Prompt 4
Think carefully about the issue presented in the following excerpt and the assignment below.
Nowadays nothing is private: our culture has become too confessional and self-expressive. People think that to hide one’s thoughts or feelings is to pretend not to have those thoughts or feelings. They assume that honesty requires one to express every inclination and impulse. Adapted from J. David Velleman, “The Genesis of Shame” Assignment: Should people make more of an effort to keep some things private? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations.

14. Thesis Statement for Prompt 1: Which is better?
Most high school athletes are drug free, so requiring testing would be a waste of time and money. OR
I am against drug testing for student athletes.

15. Thesis Statement for Prompt 2:
Which is better?
Amphitheater High School should cut the cafeteria because the food sucks anyway. OR
Amphitheater High School should save money by eliminating the school library.

16. Thesis Statement for Prompt 3:
Which is better?
I would be lost without my i-pod, my computer, and my cell phone! OR
Technology has improved my life in the areas of entertainment, education, and communication.

17. Thesis Statement for Prompt 4:
Which is better?
I feel that people should keep things more private, but some things should be expressed. OR
People no longer respect the privacy of others or of themselves. This is evident through the exposure of famous peoples’ lives, the “showing off” of possessions and sex appeal, and pornography. Society should learn to respect the privacy of others despite the urge to get involved.