Writing to a Prompt
Three simple strategies for teaching and learning
the writing process
TOFA the Prompt
• Topic - What the paper is about: A time in your life, a possession,
something you’ve learned, etc. The topic may or may not be given
in the prompt. *Focusing on the topic will give your paper unity.
• Opinion – What opinion or attitude will influence the tone and
word choice of your paper? Sometimes this is not given in the
prompt and you will have to describe your own opinion.
• Format – Should you write a letter, an essay, a persuasive
paper, a descriptive paper? This will influence the organization and
structure of your writing. **Make sure ALL papers have a beginning,
middle, and end.
• Audience – Who are you supposed to be writing to? A
friend, your teacher, the principal, a school board member?
Regardless of the prompt, there is always a HIDDEN AUDIENCE –
adults who are scoring your paper. Keep them in mind! The
audience influences your word choice and the language you use.
Hidden Audience
There is always a HIDDEN
AUDIENCE on the SOL
- Adults
- Don’t use generational/slang language
- Experiences & interests will be different from yours
- Not from Roanoke
- “Tanglewood” vs. “the local mall”
- VT – Virginia Tech or Vermont?
- Don’t know you
**He will never know if your story is true or not!!
- Remember this is not a biography!!
Practice TOFA
Prompt:
If someone discovered a formula that would enable us to live
forever, would that be a blessing or a curse? Use specific
reasons & examples to support your answer.
TOPIC
OPINION
FORMAT
A formula that Would that be Give reasons
would enable a blessing or a & examples to
us to live
curse?
support your
forever
answer
AUDIENCE
Hidden
Audience
Writing a Thesis
Your thesis is the MAIN point of your entire
paper. It should directly respond to the prompt!
• It can be stated in ONE SENTENCE.
• It is a STATEMENT, not a question.
• COMBINE THE TOPIC & OPINION from TOFA!
Practice TOFA
Prompt:
If someone discovered a formula that would enable us to live
forever, would that be a blessing or a curse? Use specific
reasons & examples to support your answer.
TOPIC
OPINION
FORMAT
A formula that Would that be Give reasons
would enable a blessing or a & examples to
us to live
curse?
support your
forever
answer
A formula that would enable
us to live forever would be a
curse because…
AUDIENCE
Hidden
Audience
The Five Paragraph Essay
1st Paragraph  INTRODUCTION
2nd Paragraph  Body #1 (Main Point)
3rd Paragraph  Body #2 (Main Point)
4th Paragraph  Body #3 (Main Point
5th Paragraph  Conclusion
Thesis
Main
Point 1
Main
Point 2
Main
Point 3
Evidence
Evidence
Evidence
Evidence
Evidence
Evidence
Evidence
Evidence
Evidence
________
________
________
________
________
________
________
________
________
Composing & Written Expression
• INTRODUCTION
–
–
–
–
Hook
Background Information
Thesis
(Preview)
• CONCLUSION
–
–
–
–
Restate your thesis. (Try not to repeat it… build on it!)
Summarize your main points
Leave the reader with something to think about
Do not bring up new information!
Composing & Written Expression
• BODY PARAGRAPHS
– There is no specific rule that says you have to have
three… That is just a good guide!
– Each body paragraph should have a clear TOPIC
SENTENCE that introduces your main point of that
paragraph and relates it to the thesis/prompt.
– Support each body paragraph with EVIDENCE –
specific examples from your life, someone else’s life,
literature, history, pop culture, etc. *Aim for three
pieces of evidence; BUT, focus on QUALITY over
quantity!
Composing & Written Expression
•TRANSITIONS
– Transitions are bridges in your writing that
take the reader from one thought to the
next and help to avoid choppiness.
– You need transitions between paragraphs
that show the movement from one idea
to the next.
– You might also use transitions to connect
sentences within a paragraph.
Furthermore
Besides
Finally
In addition to
Above all
In fact
Most important
Then
Next
First, Second, Third…
Last
Therefore
Also
Usage & Mechanics: CAPSS
 Capitalization



Beginning of sentences.
Proper Nouns – Names of people, places, etc.
The pronoun “I”
 Audience



Did you use any slang or generational language?
Did you use formal/academic tone?
Is your paper’s content appropriate?
 Punctuation


Did you use correct end punctuation? (Periods and Question Marks)
Did you correctly use commas and semi-colons where needed?
Usage & Mechanics - CAPSS
 Structure






Does your intro capture the reader’s attention?
Do you have a clear thesis?
Is your thesis supported with specific information and/or examples.
Is your writing organized in a logical manner WITH TRANSITIONS?
Are your sentences varied and complete? Do they make sense?
Does the conclusion bring your ideas together?
 Spelling



MAKE SURE TO TURN SPELL CHECK ON & DOUBLE CHECK IT AT THE END
OF YOUR ESSAY!
Read your ENTIRE essay checking for words that “don’t look correct.”
Use a different word if you aren’t sure about the spelling!