HOW TO TACKLE AN ESSAY WITH THE WHAT 4 STRATEGY

GIVE YOUR ESSAY THE WHAT 4 BEFORE READING WHAT IS THE TOPIC? WHAT IS THE PROMPT ASKING YOU TO DO? WHAT DO YOU NEED TO LOOK FOR AS YOU Read? AFTER READING WHAT IS YOUR POSITION ON THE TOPIC?

Before Reading W HAT IS THE TOPIC? What is the general topic of the article set? What is the connection between the articles?

Before Reading WHAT IS THE PROMPT ASKING YOU TO DO? Does the prompt ask you to write to inform or to argue? Does the prompt tell you specific information to include? Does the prompt tell you anything about the audience to whom you are writing?

Before Reading WHAT DO YOU NEED TO LOOK FOR As YOU READ? Does the prompt tell you what kind of evidence you will need? Are you looking for pros and cons? Are you comparing and contrasting? Are you explaining causes and effects?

DRILL #1 Your art teacher has asked that you write a paper about a specific kind of art. Write an explanatory essay about art created from found or recycled items. Your essay must be based on ideas and information that can be found in the “Art from Found Items” passage set. I DO: PRACTICE THE FIRST 3 WHATS WITH THE FOLLOWING PROMPT W HAT IS THE TOPIC? W HAT IS THE PROMPT ASKING YOU TO DO? W HAT DO YOU NEED TO LOOK FOR As you read?

DRILL #2 Your social studies class is researching both traditional and unexpected heroes. Using the information and examples found in the “Courage and Heroism” passage set, write an informative essay on what it means to be courageous. WE DO: PRACTICE THE FIRST 3 WHATS WITH THE FOLLOWING PROMPT W HAT IS THE TOPIC? W HAT IS THE PROMPT ASKING YOU TO DO? W HAT DO YOU NEED TO LOOK FOR WHILE READING?

DRILL #3 Write a letter to your state senator in which you argue in favor of keeping the Electoral College or changing to election by popular vote for the president of the United States. Use the information from the texts in your essay. WE DO: PRACTICE THE FIRST 3 WHATS WITH THE FOLLOWING PROMPT W HAT IS THE TOPIC? W HAT IS THE PROMPT ASKING YOU TO DO? W HAT DO YOU NEED TO LOOK FOR WHILE READING?

GAME TIME IT’S NOW TIME FOR YOU TO APPLY ALL FOUR STEPS OF THE WHAT 4 STRATEGY.