Prompt Writing Guidelines Finalized 10-1-21.docx

Writing prompts must be carefully prepared to ensure that students have the best possible chance to demonstrate their true level of writing skills.   Before you write your prompt:

         Consider what you want the assignment to require the students to do.

         Consider what kinds of thinking you want students to do. Do you want your students to tell a story, argue a claim, compare, or analyze one or more ideas?

         Consider your students' writing processes. Do you want your students to demonstrate specific writing skills that you pre-teach and evaluate, e.g. thesis statement, main ideas, transitions, introduction, conclusion? 

         If the essay involves research, are you requiring students to use specific sources or helping students find sources, evaluate them, and incorporate them successfully into their essays?

Selecting the Appropriate Genre : Essay types or genres include: argument, expository, narrative, and literary.  Choosing the correct genre cannot be over emphasized.  Students will be scored/evaluated (rubric) and receive MY Tutor feedback on based on genre-specific skills and standards.

EXAMPLES

Narrative Prompts

The   purpose   of narrative writing is to tell a story and to create a central theme or impression in the reader's mind. Narration, specifically, is writing that recounts a personal or fictional experience or tells a story based on real or imagined events that are creative, dramatic, or suspenseful.

For narrative prompts, use the cue terms:   tell about something ,   tell what happened , or   write a story .  

Prompt Construction

Part 1. Introduce the topic or writing situation and provide information for students to think about. 

Hint: Make a statement or generalization about a particular subject that orients the student to the topic

Example .   Sometimes it is rewarding to do something kind for another person. Think about what you did, what else was happening at the time, where you were, who was involved, and the time of day or year it happened.

Part 2. Provide directions for writing.

Hint: Give the student the specific task. State the mode or purpose (to tell a story). Provide enough information so your students are able to do their best writing.

Example .   Write a story about a time when you did something kind for another person.

Part 3. Provide criteria for evaluation.

Remember, your narrative will be scored based on how well you

• develop a multi-paragraph response to the assigned topic that clearly communicates the purpose of your narrative to the audience;
• describe the characters, setting, plot, and conflict using sensory language and details that help the reader to visualize the experiences in your narrative;
• organize your narrative in a clear and logical manner, including a beginning, middle, and end;
• use transitional strategies to show relationships and signal changes in the narrative;
• use well-structured sentences and appropriate language for your audience;
• edit your work to conform to the conventions of standard American English.

Informative/Explanatory/Expository Prompts

The   purpose   of expository writing is to inform, clarify, explain, define, and/or instruct. Sometimes this prompt type is referred to as evaluative, analytic, or reflective writing. The subtypes of problem and solution, cause and effect, and how-to essays also are grouped with this category of writing.

For expository prompts use the cue words:   why ,   how ,   what , and   explain .

Prompt Construction

Part 1. Introduce the topic or writing situation and provide information for students to think about.

Example .   Think about an animal that has evolved to live under extreme climate conditions or to eat a very specific diet. Consider location, climate conditions, types of food it eats, and how it gets its food. Think about the possible advantages and disadvantages for the animal of living in this habitat or eating this diet.

Part 2. Provide directions for writing.

Example .   Write an essay in which you identify the animal and its unique habitat or diet and explain why it is an advantage for the animal to have evolved this way. Make sure you include specific details to support your explanation.

Part 3 Provide criteria for evaluation.

As you write, remember your essay will be scored based on how well you

• develop a multi-paragraph response to the assigned topic that clearly communicates your controlling idea to the audience.
• support your controlling idea with meaningful examples, reasons, and information based upon your research or readings.
• organize your essay in a clear and logical manner, including an introduction, body, and conclusion.
• use well-structured sentences and language that are appropriate for your audience.
• edit your work to conform to the conventions of standard American English.

Argument/Persuasive Prompts

The   purpose   of persuasive writing is to convince the reader that a point of view is valid and/or that the reader should take a specific action. It is important in argument writing to address the potential concerns and questions of the audience as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the "other" side. These should be approached in a way that ultimately supports the writer’s own position.

For persuasive prompts use the cue words:   convince ,   persuade , and   why .

Prompt Construction

Part 1. Introduce the topic or writing situation and provide information for students to think about. 

Hint: Construct a policy statement or make an assertion about a particular subject that orients the student to the topic.

Example .   Some schools have a policy of not allowing soda or candy to be stocked in vending machines on school property. The principal of your school is considering such a policy. Think about the possible advantages and disadvantages of selling soda and candy to students, teachers, parents, and school administrators.

Part 2. Provide directions for writing.

Hint: Give the student the specific task to write.  State the mode or purpose (to convince or motivate). Identify the audience.

Example .   Write a letter to your principal in which you state your opinion on the policy of not selling soda and candy in school vending machines. Include enough specific details to support your opinion and to convince your principal that your position on the issue is correct.

Part 3. Provide criteria for evaluation.

Remember, your essay will be scored based on how well you

• develop a multi-paragraph response to the assigned topic that clearly communicates your claim to the audience;
• support your claim with arguments/reasons and sufficient details;
• address the readers' concerns, opposing viewpoints, and/or counterarguments/counterclaims;
• organize your essay in a clear and logical manner, including an introduction, body, and conclusion;
• use transitional strategies to connect your ideas, sentences, and paragraphs;
• use well-structured sentences and appropriate language for your audience;
• edit your work to conform to the conventions of standard American English.