Deconstructing Writing Prompts Preparing to Write Academic Essays

Deconstructing the Prompt Writing prompts typically consist of three parts: Context [what you need to know to understand the writing assignment] Explicit directions [what is stated clearly and in detail, leaving no question as to meaning or intent] Implicit directions [implied and capable of being understood from something else, rather than expressly stated]

Context [There has been ongoing debate about the impact of digital tools on reading and writing in the 21st century and how schools should teach literacy skills in the classroom; the Common Core Standards address the concern that over the years, students’ reading skills have declined while the demands of college and career reading have not changed.] What does it mean to “read” in the digital age? [Write a multi-paragraph essay arguing whether students’ literacy skills are helped or hindered by the pervasiveness of digital media use.] What are the implicit directions? Explicit Directions

The prompt is IMPLYING that you will describe what YOU have decided counts as reading in the 21st Century, how students are using digital media, and whether this use is strengthening or weakening their literacy skills. **Most prompts about literature IMPLY that you will state what YOU believe the author’s PURPOSE or ARGUMENT is.

Deconstructing Writing Prompts READ - Carefully read the prompt a few times BREAK IT DOWN - Analyze the prompt to find the key words and phrases, focusing on power verbs and details that clarify the task UNDERSTAND – Figure out what you need to do RESPOND - Determine how to respond to the prompt correctly (use explicit and implicit directions)

Steps in Deconstructing the Prompt Circle the action verbs [identify, analyze, explain, describe, argue, etc.] Underline the details that follow the verbs to clarify the task

Deconstructing Writing Prompts Look for clues as to what content to cover and how to organize information Determine whether you need to focus on a specific text to answer prompt Determine whether the prompt requires you to use sources, and if so, what kinds of sources Ex: quotations from text, research, etc.

Deconstructing Writing Prompts Use one of the two following strategies to further deconstruct prompts: RAMP ROLE: What role should you take as a writer? AUDIENCE: Who is audience of paper? MODE: What type of text are you expected to write? (informative, persuasive, narrative, etc.) PURPOSE: What is the purpose of this writing? (to describe, explain, convince, etc.)

Using keywords to determine MODE/FORMAT and PURPOSE/TASK If the prompt asks you to . . . explain, define, classify, analyze, compare/contrast, cause/effect, clarify, inform, instruct . . . you will use expository/informative writing convince, give your opinion, choose a point of view, state your position on an issue, argue for or against, justify, evaluate/critique . . . you will use persuasive/argumentative writing describe, tell about your experience . . . you will use narrative writing