1. RAMP
After you deconstruct the prompt and know what to do, it is time to RAMP up to writing.
What is RAMP?
Role
Audience
Mode
Purpose

2. Role What is your role in writing this essay?
Typically your role is high school student (maybe more accurately: high school student, begrudgingly writing an essay)
But sometimes, the prompt will designate a more specific role:
19th century scientist
Editor of the school newspaper
ASB president
Why does the role matter?
The role may change the way you write the essay
An ASB president addressing students will use different language and style than a professional scientist

3. Audience Who is your audience for this essay? Who is going to read it?
Typically the audience is your teacher
But sometimes, the audience is designated by the prompt:
Write a letter to the editor…
Explain to the school board…
In an article to the student body…
Explain to your friends…
Why does audience matter?
The audience may change the way you write your response.
You speak differently to different groups of people.

4. Mode What is the mode for this writing? Mode is type of essay
Argument
Take a position and argue it with support
Narrative
Tell a story, fiction or non-fiction
Informative/explanatory
Explain something in detail
Each type of writing is approached differently: you don’t structure a story the same as an argument.

5. Purpose What is the purpose for this writing?
In many cases your purpose is to complete the assignment and, hopefully, earn an A.
But if you look at the prompt, you should know what the specific purpose is:
Are you supposed to convince someone to do or think something?
Are you supposed to entertain with a funny story?
Are you supposed to reveal something important about yourself through a story?
Are you supposed to ensure your reader will know how to do something specific?

6. RAMP
RAMPing up to writing allows you to better plan how to Do-What is listed on your chart.
Define each part of RAMP off to the side of the prompt.
Now you are ready to jump into writing the essay!

7. Deconstruct Do-What RAMP
Always Remember
Deconstruct Do-What RAMP