Writing to Prompts

R – Role A – Audience F – Format T – Topic S – Strong Verb

Step 1: Read the prompt two or three times.

Your teacher is absent, and you must take over for her. Write a story about your day as the teacher.

Step 2: Dissect the prompt!

Sample Prompt: Your teacher is absent, and you must take over for her. Write a story about your day as the teacher. Identify the role of the writer. Am I writing as myself? Must I assume a different role? Role: you

Your teacher is absent, and you must take over for her. Write a story about your day as the teacher. Identify your audience. Who will be reading your story? What do you notice about this prompt? Audience: graders, your parents, teacher

Your teacher is absent, and you must take over for her. Write a story about your day as the teacher. What format will you use? Format means the type of writing you’ll use. Is it an essay? Is it a poem? Format: story or narrative

Your teacher is absent, and you must take over for her. Write a story about your day as the teacher. What is the topic of your story? Topic: your experience as a substitute for your teacher

Your teacher is absent, and you must take over for her. Write a story about your day as the teacher. What is a strong verb for this prompt? Why are you writing this story? What is your purpose? HINT: There is more than one right answer! Strong verb(s): tell, detail, describe, relate

Put it all together! Role – You Audience – graders, teacher, parents Format – story, narrative Topic – your day as a substitute for your teacher Strong verb – tell, detail, describe, relate

Underline the RAFTS points Your teacher is absent, and you must take over for her. Write a story about your day as the teacher. R: A: F: T: S:

Step 3: Combine all the information into paragraph form to clarify the task.

You have been asked to take over for your teacher for the day. Write a story that describes your experience.

Step 4: Go back to the paragraph and label each component of the R.A.F.T.S. Make sure you include components that you had to generate on your own.

You have been asked to take role over for your teacher for the day. Write a story that describes formatstrong verb your experience. topic Audience: graders, principal

You try it!

Prompt: The cafeteria serves some foods people like and some they don’t like. Think about three different foods that you would like the cafeteria manager to serve that you can’t get now. Write a letter to the cafeteria manager convincing her to serve each of the three new foods you are suggesting.

What will you do first? Read the prompt more than once. What will you do next? Dissect the prompt!

Role: you The cafeteria serves some foods people like and some they don’t like. Think about three different foods that you would like the cafeteria manager to serve that you can’t get now. Write a letter to the cafeteria manager convincing her to serve each of the three new foods you are suggesting.

Audience: cafeteria manager The cafeteria serves some foods people like and some they don’t like. Think about three different foods that you would like the cafeteria manager to serve that you can’t get now. Write a letter to the cafeteria manager convincing her to serve each of the three new foods you are suggesting.

Format: letter The cafeteria serves some foods people like and some they don’t like. Think about three different foods that you would like the cafeteria manager to serve that you can’t get now. Write a letter to the cafeteria manager convincing her to serve each of the three new foods you are suggesting.

Topic: three foods you’d like to see added to the cafeteria menu The cafeteria serves some foods people like and some they don’t like. Think about three different foods that you would like the cafeteria manager to serve that you can’t get now. Write a letter to the cafeteria manager convincing her to serve each of the three new foods you are suggesting.

Strong verb(s): persuade or convince The cafeteria serves some foods people like and some they don’t like. Think about three different foods that you would like the cafeteria manager to serve that you can’t get now. Write a letter to the cafeteria manager convincing her to serve each of the three new foods you are suggesting.

Put it all together! Role: you Audience: cafeteria manager Format: letter Topic: three foods you’d like added to the cafeteria menu Strong verb: persuade, convince

The cafeteria manager would like input about foods to add to the cafeteria menu; write a persuasive letter to her about your three favorite foods, and explain why she should include them as choices.

The cafeteria manager would like audience input about foods to add to the cafeteria menu; write a persuasive format letter to her about your three favorite foods, and convince her to topicstrong verb include them. role: you

What do we do now that we are more clear with the task at hand?

Have fun and write!

Be proud of your work!

Writing to Prompts: R stands for ______________________________________________ A stands for_______________________________________________ F stands for_______________________________________________ T stands for_______________________________________________ S stands for_______________________________________________ Step 1: __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ Step 2:___________________________________________________ Step 3:___________________________________________________ Step 4:___________________________________________________ Finally,___________________________________________________

Writing prompt: Do the steps! You have entered a contest to design a machine that will clean you room. Draw a picture of your machine with captions and explain in paragraph form how it works. If you win the contest, the team of engineers will build your machine.

Writing Prompt: Do the steps! Imagine you are an endangered flying squirrel living in the forest that is about to be leveled to make way for a shopping center. Write a letter to the construction company president persuading him to find someplace else to build and leave your forest alone.

Do the steps! You are a high school baseball player. A sports card company executive is interested in putting your photo and statistics on a baseball card as part of a series focusing on young players. Predict your home runs, batting average, and runs batted in for the forthcoming year based on last season. Send the information in form to the executive.

Do the steps! One of your favorite things to do is go to the movies with your friends on Friday nights. However, this week one of your teachers called to inform your parents that you haven’t been doing your homework. Create a list of reasons convincing your parents your should still attend the movies and what you will do to complete your homework.