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.

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

TAPF for Practice Prompt 1: Topic : _______________________ (What am I writing about?) A udience: _______________________ (Who will read my response?) P urpose: _______________________ (Why am I writing the essay?) F ormat: _______________________ (What format should I use?)

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. 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. Circle the words that ask you to do something.

TAPF for Practice Prompt 2: Topic : _______________________ (What am I writing about?) A udience: _______________________ (Who will read my response?) P urpose: _______________________ (Why am I writing the essay?) F ormat: _______________________ (What format should I use?)

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. 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. Circle the words that ask you to do something.

TAPF for Practice Prompt 3: Topic : _______________________ (What am I writing about?) A udience: _______________________ (Who will read my response?) P urpose: _______________________ (Why am I writing the essay?) F ormat: _______________________ (What format should I use?)

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. 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. Circle the words that ask you to do something.

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.)

Thesis Statement States your position-where do you stand on the issue It’s also called your CLAIM STATEMENT (or just your claim)

Think of it as a number line… (wait for it…) Are you going in the positive or negative direction? (You can’t go both ways at once in the same essay) PRO CON

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

What did you write?

Thesis Statement for Prompt 1: 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. Which is better?

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

Thesis Statement for Prompt 3: 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. Which is better?

What’s next? An Outline for Persuasive Essays…. (See handout)