Sophomore AIMS Writing Review: Dissecting Prompts & Outlining
Tip 1: Determine the SAPF.
1. What do these letters represent? Also explain what each word means.
S: _____________________________________________________________________
A: _____________________________________________________________________
P: _____________________________________________________________________
F: _____________________________________________________________________
2. Read the writing prompt in the box below, and then determine the SAPF.
Imagine that the governor of your state will be visiting your school. You have been selected
to deliver a speech to the governor on behalf of the student body about what teens want
most from a high school education. Your remarks could possibly influence education policy
in your state. Write a speech describing the educational concerns of people your age.
S: _____________________________________________________________________
A: _____________________________________________________________________
P: _____________________________________________________________________
F: _____________________________________________________________________
Tip 2: Determine what you know and don’t know about the subject.
3. Brainstorm ideas for the writing prompt below. Write down every idea you can think of.
Imagine that the governor of your state will be visiting your school. You have been selected
to deliver a speech to the governor on behalf of the student body about what teens want
most from a high school education. Your remarks could possibly influence education policy
in your state. Write a speech describing the educational concerns of people your age.
Brainstorm ideas for the writing prompt:
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Tip 3: Consider your audience at every stage of the writing process.
4. Who is the audience for this prompt? _________________
Imagine that the governor of your state will be visiting your school. You have been selected to
deliver a speech to the governor on behalf of the student body about what teens want most
from a high school education. Your remarks could possibly influence education policy in your
state. Write a speech describing the educational concerns of people your age.
5. Now look at the brainstorming you completed in question #3. Cross out any ideas that are not appropriate
for your audience.
Tip 4: Understand the various purposes for writing.
6. What are some of the purposes of writing? List your ideas (3 minimum) here:
1.
2.
3.
7. Write short notes about the five purposes of writing below.
Purpose:
Explanation (summarize in your words):
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Tip 5: Understand the characteristics of the different forms of writing.
8. What are some of the writing forms that you may be asked to use on the AIMS Writing Test?
List your answers (3 minimum) here:
1.
2.
3.
9. Write complete notes about the forms of writing below.
Writing Form:
Purpose and Explanation:
Length:
Tip 6: Create a detailed outline before you begin writing.
a. Create a graphic organizer for any five-paragraph essay (including persuasive, expository and descriptive
writing):
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b. Use a plotline graphic organizer for a narrative essay:
Now practice creating outlines…
10. Read the writing prompt in the box below and determine the SAPF.
Your school district has decided to require high school students to perform at least 10 hours
of community service in order to graduate. The school district administrators are planning a
guideline of appropriate community service activities.
Write an essay to be read by school administrators convincing them that certain community
service activities should be included in the guideline. Explain how these activities will provide
a positive experience for students.
S: _____________________________________________________________________
A: _____________________________________________________________________
P: _____________________________________________________________________
F: _____________________________________________________________________
11. Brainstorm ideas for the writing prompt in question #10. Write down every idea you can think of.
12. Mark the best ideas in your brainstorming. Remember to consider your audience when deciding.
13. Create a detailed outline for your writing below.
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14. Read the writing prompt in the box below and determine the SAPF.
Your school newspaper is sponsoring a writing contest. The winner will have his or her
writing published in the newspaper and will receive a small scholarship. The contest has
the following guidelines: Write a personal narrative about a time when you or a person you
know stood up for something without regard to whether the stance was popular. Develop
your story with details.
Write a personal narrative to submit to the contest.
S: _____________________________________________________________________
A: _____________________________________________________________________
P: _____________________________________________________________________
F: _____________________________________________________________________
15. Brainstorm ideas for the writing prompt in question #14. Write down every idea you can think of.
16. Mark the best ideas in your brainstorming. Remember to consider your audience when deciding.
17. Create a detailed outline for your writing below.
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18. Read the writing prompt in the box below and determine the SAPF.
Think about a person who is important to you. This person may be a friend, family
member, or someone else. Write an essay to describe this person and explain what makes
him or her so important to you.
S: _____________________________________________________________________
A: _____________________________________________________________________
P: _____________________________________________________________________
F: _____________________________________________________________________
19. Brainstorm ideas for the writing prompt in question #18. Write down every idea you can think of.
20. Mark the best ideas in your brainstorming. Remember to consider your audience when deciding.
21. Create a detailed outline for your writing below.
22. Read the writing prompt in the box below and determine the SAPF.
Imagine that you have the opportunity to travel back in time. You will time travel
to the day before your first day of high school. When you travel back in time, you
will deliver a letter to yourself. Write a letter to yourself giving advice about
starting high school.
S: _____________________________________________________________________
A: _____________________________________________________________________
P: _____________________________________________________________________
F: _____________________________________________________________________
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23. Brainstorm ideas for the writing prompt in question #22. Write down every idea you can think of.
24. Mark the best ideas in your brainstorming. Remember to consider your audience when deciding.
25. Create a detailed outline for your writing below.
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Extra writing prompts for practice…
Think about a place that is important to you. This may be a place where you have lived or
any other location. Write an essay to describe the place and explain what makes it so
important to you.
People often talk about entire generations having certain shared beliefs, interests, and
attitudes (such as Generation X, the Baby Boom generation, the World War II generation,
and so on). What are some of the characteristics of your generation? Think of some of the
things people in your age group have in common.
Write an essay that explains the defining characteristics of your generation. Be specific in
your explanation.
Misunderstandings can be funny or serious, but they always create problems.
Write a narrative to be read by your classmates about a time when a misunderstanding
created problems for you.
In many areas of the country, students in both private and public school students are
required to wear school uniforms. The school board of your school district is considering
requiring uniforms for all students.
Write a letter to the school board giving your opinion about whether school uniforms
should be required in your school district.
In some states, the legal driving age has been raised to eighteen years old. Arizona
lawmakers are considering changing the driving age in Arizona.
Write an editorial giving your opinion about whether the Arizona legal driving age should
be changed to eighteen years old.
The high school dropout rate in Arizona is one of the highest in the United States. Many
adults do not understand why so many students leave school before they graduate.
Write an essay to be read by school board members convincing them what changes need to
be made in schools to keep students from dropping out before graduation.
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