On-Demand Writing in 8 th grade What is it?

On-Demand Writing is… Writing to a prompt in a limited amount of time. You will be: –given a choice of two prompts –told the Form, Audience, Purpose

FAP IT!!! Focusing on the Writing Task

What is FAP? FAP stands for FORM, AUDIENCE, and PURPOSE. –FAP can be used to organize the information that you will see in the prompts. –FAP is found in the writing task of the prompts. FAP is an acronym that helps you identify what you are being asked to do

F is for FORM WHAT are you writing? You will find the FORM in the Writing Task The four FORMS are letter, article, editorial, and speech

Examples… Write a letter to your teacher recommending a field trip Write an article for your school newspaper about a memorable field trip Write an editorial for your school newspaper about the importance of field trips Write a speech for the Board of Education about the benefits of field trips

A is for AUDIENCE To WHOM are you writing? You will find the AUDIENCE in the Writing Task, such as –parents –friend –principal –teacher –site-based council –author –student(s) –neighbor(s) –board of education, and others

P is for PURPOSE WHY are you writing? You will find the PURPOSE in the Writing Task You will write for one of three purposes: –inform –persuade, or –narrate an event for a specific purpose (to inform or persuade)

Examples Write an article for the school newspaper informing readers about an upcoming event Write a speech for your classmates persuading them to accept your idea for a class trip Write a letter to a new student about the importance of school rules. Support your idea by writing about a time when knowing the rules was really important

Fapping writing tasks… Write an article for the school newspaper informing readers about an upcoming event Write a speech for your classmates persuading them to accept your idea for a class trip Write a letter to a new student about the importance of school rules. Support your idea by writing about a time when knowing the rules was really important form audience purpose form audience purpose form audience purpose

So…NOW WHAT? Read SITUATIONS carefully Identify key words, list ideas Choose prompt for which you have the most ideas and then complete first draft, revise, edit and write final draft

Let’s practice with two prompts Writing to Persuade

Step One: Read and FAP! SITUATION: Summer is almost over, school has started and students are going to have less free time to be active. Your school newspaper is going to publish articles about the importance of physical activity to your health and wants your ideas about how to stay active now that you are back in school. WRITING TASK: Write an article for your school paper persuading students to stay active and giving your ideas about how to include physical activity now that you are back in school. FORM AUDIENCE PURPOSE

Let’s FAP the second prompt… SITUATION: The Book Fair is coming soon. Your librarian wants you to pick one of your favorite books and write an article for the school newspaper to convince readers to purchase and read this book. WRITING TASK: Write an article to persuade readers to purchase and read your favorite book. Be convincing! FORM AUDIENCE PURPOSE

Step two: identify key words Key words are found in the SITUATION of the writing prompts. Key words help you write the introductory paragraph of your response. Key words help your audience focus on the main ideas of your response.

Step Two: look for key words Summer is almost over, school has started and students are going to have less free time to be active. Your school newspaper is going to publish articles about the importance of physical activity to your health and wants your ideas about how to stay active now that you are back in school.

Looking for key words… The Book Fair is coming soon. Your librarian wants you to pick one of your favorite books and write an article for the school newspaper to convince readers to purchase and read this book.

Step three: list ideas Prompt #1 Problem: Going back to school means less free time for physical activity Solution: Be organized Plan time for physical activity Plan homework time Limit time watching TV Stick to your plan because it is important to your health to stay active

Listing ideas Prompt #2 Favorite book Hoot Reasons for buying and reading: Easy to read About students who take on a serious problem and make a difference Funny Good ending

Step four: Time to decide… What topic do you know the most about? or What topic do you know the most about and which one appeals to you the most?

Step five: write, revise, edit, write again Write first draft Revise first draft, making it clear and complete; Edit your work to make it correct Write final draft

The Importance of Key Words To help you focus To help with your introduction

Key words help write introduction… Summer is almost over, school has started and students are going to have less free time to be active. Your school newspaper is going to publish articles about the importance of physical activity to your health and wants your ideas about how to stay active now that you are back in school. Let’s Get A Move On: Ways To Stay Active Now that a new school year has started, we are going to have less free time to be active. We all know that it is really important to be active for our health’s sake but what are we going to do when we are inside all day? We could moan and groan but I bet we can all find ways to stay active. Here are some suggestions…

Another intro… The Book Fair is coming soon. Your librarian wants you to pick one of your favorite books and write an article to convince readers to purchase and read this book. “Who Gives A Hoot?” Did you know that the Book Fair is coming to our school next week? This means we get to choose the books we want to buy and read. Maybe you don’t give a hoot, so I want to tell you about a great book I read this summer that I think everyone should read…

Drafting/Revising Use your prewriting as a guide Engage your reader with a lead Make revisions as you write Anticipate your reader’s questions to guide your writing Stay focused on your purpose Make sure you’ve convinced your reader with an effective conclusion

Editing Make sure: Your sentences are varied and complete You have used language appropriate for your reader and purpose Your spelling is correct You have used correct punctuation

Important points to keep in mind: Letter Use the correct letter form (business or friendly) Support your purpose with details Answer those questions you anticipate your reader will have

Important points to keep in mind: Article Focus on an interesting angle of the topic Support your purpose with relevant idea development Use text features effectively (sections with headings, bulleted lists, etc.)

Editorials Editorials defend a definite position –Explain, Evaluate, Persuade Editorials use –Facts, Statistics, Expert Opinions Organization requires –Intro –Opposing points of view –Details that support editorial point of view –Effective conclusion

Speeches Often conversational Engaging Clear purpose Ideas are developed and supported End with a strong or memorable remark

Making A Point Main Idea #1 Supporting Detail Supporting detail Supporting detail Main Idea #2 Supporting detail Supporting detail Supporting detail Main Idea #3 Supporting detail Supporting detail Supporting detail Don’t forget: making a point means supporting your ideas with relevant details

For additional resources see: Jennifer Bernhard Literacy Specialist Clark County Schools