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:

Subject: (What am I writing about?)
Purpose: (Why am I writing the essay?)
Audience: (Who will read my response?)
Format: (What format does the prompt require?)
REMEMBER:
Students are expected to
write a 5 paragraph essay
in response to the writing
prompt.
Even if the prompt says “write a letter,” you should
organize it into a five paragraph essay.
SPAF for Practice Prompt:

Subject: _______________________
(What am I writing about?)

Purpose: _______________________
(Why am I writing the essay?)

Audience: _______________________
(Who will read my response?)

Format:
_______________________
(What format should I use?)
Practice Prompt 1
Circle the words that
ask you to do
something.
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.
SPAF for Practice Prompt 1:

Subject: _______________________
(What am I writing about?)

Purpose: _______________________
(Why am I writing the essay?)

Audience: _______________________
(Who will read my response?)

Format:
_______________________
(What format should I use?)
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.
SPAF for Practice Prompt 2:

Subject: _______________________
(What am I writing about?)

Purpose: _______________________
(Why am I writing the essay?)

Audience: _______________________
(Who will read my response?)

Format:
_______________________
(What format should I use?)
Practice Prompt 3
Circle the words that
ask you to do
something.
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.
SPAF for Practice Prompt 3:

Subject: _______________________
(What am I writing about?)

Purpose: _______________________
(Why am I writing the essay?)

Audience: _______________________
(Who will read my response?)

Format:
_______________________
(What format should I use?)
Practice: Write a
Thesis Statement
Select one practice prompt
from this presentation.
Write a thesis statement.
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.)
Practice Prompt 4
Think carefully about the issue presented in the following excerpt and the
assignment below.
Nowadays nothing is private: our culture has become too confessional
and self-expressive. People think that to hide one’s thoughts or
feelings is to pretend not to have those thoughts or feelings. They
assume that honesty requires one to express every inclination and
impulse.
Adapted from J. David Velleman, “The Genesis of Shame”
Assignment: Should people make more of an effort to keep some
things private? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your
point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and
examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or
observations.
Thesis Statement for Prompt 1:
Which is better?
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.
Thesis Statement for Prompt 2:
Which is better?
Amphitheater High School should cut the
cafeteria because the food sucks anyway.
OR
Amphitheater High School should save
money by eliminating the school library.
Thesis Statement for Prompt 3:
Which is better?
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.
Thesis Statement for Prompt 4:
Which is better?
I feel that people should keep things more private,
but some things should be expressed.
OR
People no longer respect the privacy of others or of
themselves. This is evident through the exposure
of famous peoples’ lives, the “showing off” of
possessions and sex appeal, and pornography.
Society should learn to respect the privacy of
others despite the urge to get involved.