AIMS REVIEW: Writing

Dissecting Prompts & Outlining

Concepts borrowed from Buckle Down

Tip OneDetermine SAPF.What do these letters

represent? Explain what each word means.

• S• A• P• F

Answer Question #1

•Subject: What is the topic of the writing?

•Audience: To whom are you writing?

•Purpose: What is the goal or reason for writing?

•Form: What form should the writing take?

Correct your answers to Question #1

Tip One: PracticePractice finding the SAPF by

completing question #2.

•Subject: What teens want from a high school education

•Audience: The governor of Arizona

•Purpose: To explain (and to convince)

•Form: A speech (write as a five-paragraph essay)

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.

Tip TwoDetermine what you know and do

n ’t know about the subject.• You must use your imagination to come up

with interesting ideas that will engage both you and your reader in what you write.

• One of the best ways to develop ideas is by brainstorming.

Tip Two: PracticePractice brainstorming by

completing question #3. • Do not judge ideas as good or bad during

this process.• Do not worry about spelling, grammar, or

complete sentences yet.• Write down every idea you can think of!

Tip ThreeConsider your audience at every

stage of the writing process.• Knowing your readers will help you decide

which details to present.• It is important to use the words and

sentence structure that will be most effective for your audience.

Tip Three: PracticePractice thinking about audience

by completing questions #4-5. • If the audience is not given in the prompt,

you should assume your audience will be teachers and administrators who are grading the AIMS Writing Test.

Tip FourUnderstand the various purposes

for writing.• First, answer question #6.• Then, as you view the following slides,

summarize the five purposes of writing in question #7.

Tip Four (notes)

Understand the various purposes for writing.

• To convince (persuade, influence): The writer wants to persuade the reader to think, believe, or act in a certain way. The writer may also encourage the reader to take a particular action.

• To entertain: The writer wants to make readers laugh, cry, feel suspense, or otherwise enjoy the writing. Most fictional writing and personal narratives are written with this purpose in mind.

Tip Four (notes)

• To describe: The writer gives a detailed description of a person, place, or object. The writer uses sensory details, strong word choice, and explains the personal importance of the person, place, or object.

• To teach, inform, or explain: The writer shares factual information in a balanced manner without trying to persuade. If there are two sides to an issue, the writer lets the readers draw their own conclusions.

Tip Four (notes)

• To communicate: The writer wants to provide specific information related to real-world tasks. This type of writing includes business letters, memos, or technical manuals.

Tip FiveUnderstand the characteristics of

the different forms of writing. • What are some of the writing forms that

you may be asked to use on the AIMS Writing Test? Answer question #8.

Tip Five (notes)

Fill in the chart for question #9

Writing Form:

Purpose and Explanation:

Length:

Narrative essay

To entertainMay be personal (about an event in your life) or fictional (a made-up story)

Varied – minimum 5 paragraphs(Must include dialogue & figurative language)

Persuasive essay or letter

To convinceLetter: Use business letter format

Five paragraphs

Descriptive essay

To describe Five paragraphs(Must include figurative language)

Expository essay

To explain Five paragraphs

Speech To convince OR to explainWrite just like an essay

Five paragraphs

Tip SixCreate a detailed outline before

you begin writing. • Create examples of graphic organizers in

your AIMS Review packet.• Answer questions #10-13.

More Practice…The more you practice, the

more prepared you will be. • Answer questions #14-17.• Answer questions #18-21.• Answer questions #22-25.