Examining More Writing Prompts

April 1st, 2015

What are the following prompts asking you to do?◦ Prompt #1: "Dress for success" is a phrase all of us

have heard before, but it means something different to each person. Write an essay explaining what "dress for success" means to you

◦ Prompt #2: Write an essay explaining why someone you care about is important to you.

Identify the Key/Power Word. Next, one per prompt to summarize what

it is that each prompt is asking you to do.

Warm Up

Today I will apply my understanding of Power Words in order to start the process of responding to a variety of writing prompts.

RACE vs. Go Green Dissection and Application Round Robin Start the Process/Individual Practice

Agenda

When should you use RACE?◦ RACE works best for constructed responses.◦ Produces roughly a paragraph or two

When should you use Go Green?◦ The Go Green principles work for all writing◦ Geared mainly toward extended responses and

essays

RACE vs. Go Green

RACE:◦ Restate the question (prompt)◦ Answer the question (prompt)◦ Cite examples from the text◦ Explain cited examples

RACE vs. Go Green

Example:◦ Think of your best day in school. What happened that makes

this day stand out in your memory? Write a story for a friend that tells about what happened on this day in school.

R/A: My best day in school was the last day of eighth grade because I learned the importance of true friendship.

C: My best friend and I reconnected with old friends, but saw evidence that our connection was solid in the fact that we could always turn to one another.

E: When my best friend encountered nasty rumors, I stood by her side and helped her realize that the rumors did not define her.

RACE in action

Helps you structure your paragraphs to be more meaningful and well-supported.

The structure of a Go Green paragraph is on the slides that follow.

Go Green

Color Coding Key

BLUE- The main idea of the paragraph

RED- Supporting details

GREEN- Specific details & examples

Blue- Main idea

The main idea will usually be the first sentence of the body paragraph. It supports the overall controlling idea for the paper.

Ex: School buses are not the best form of transportation to and from school.

Red- Supporting details

These are details that are general and a little vague. They do, however, support the main idea.

EX: The school buses we have now are too crowded.

Green- specific details & examples These details need to be specific; use

numbers, names, facts, etc. Build off of the supporting details (the red sentences) to elaborate on the topic.

Ex: Students have to cram in three to a seat. Every afternoon, on the way home, students are squished, sweating, and extremely uncomfortable.

Example of Depth of Developmentin a Paragraph

Sample Body ParagraphAlthough they have some drawbacks, cars are a preferred method of transportation. Cars are private, and you probably won’t be bothered. You don’t have to worry about some intense coffee drinker breathing down your neck or a person you despise sitting next to you. You can also travel in the comfort of your own seat with the A/C set at your ideal temperature. Unfortunately, cars are very expensive and with gas prices at $4 a gallon, it quickly becomes unaffordable. Car riding can also be inconvenient to your parents or whomever you ride with. Some parents must be at work at the time school starts and ends, and they just can’t drive you there and back.

Main Idea

Supporting Details

Specific Details and Examples

Controlling Idea: There are many great options for getting to school, but all have their downsides.

Score 1

* Lack of focus on assigned topic*Absence of supporting ideas*Too brief*Repetition of ideas*No evidence of organization*Lack of sentence variety*Fragments, run-ons*Errors in grammar and mechanics

Examples of Depth of Developmentin Score Point 1: Expository WritingIdeas Score: 1 Topic: 8214

Students use many types of transportation to get to school. Other students may not go to school. Some students ride the bus cause they don’t have any other ways to get to school. Some students also only ride in cars because of other kids on the bus or because they can’t be trusted enough to get on the bus. Some students don’t need rides or transportation because they got kicked out or dropped out of school or some will just have home school.

Score 2

*Minimal development of controlling idea*Supporting ideas are vague*Ideas not arranged in logical order*Unrelated ideas included*Little sentence variety*Formulaic organization* Language is vague, ordinary

Examples of Depth of Developmentin Score Point 2: Expository Writing Ideas Score 2 Topic: 8214

How kids get to school. They get to school by transportation. They either ride a bus, walk, a car, and riding a bike. That’s what transportation is.

The first kind of transportation is the bus. Buses are cheaper than driving. But the school bus is too crowded some days. I’d rather not ride the bus if I didn’t have to.

I think cars is a great way to get to school. It is private and comfortable. Car riding can also be hard for your parents, though.

Finally, you can walk or take a bike to school. Riding a bike or walking is cheaper than driving, but who wants to ride a bike in the rain? And sometimes the school is too far to walk to.

All these transportations can be a good way to get to school but they can also have problems.

Score 3

*Generally consistent focus on topic*Most supporting details are relevant*Organization is generally appropriate*Related ideas grouped together in paragraphs*Introduction clear; conclusion provides closure*Variation in sentence structure*Grammar and mechanics generally correct

Example of Depth of Developmentin Score Point 3: Expository WritingIdeas Score 3 Topic: 8214

There are many ways to get to and from school. You can take a bus, ride in a car, or walk or ride a bike. Each kind of transportation has advantages and disadvantages.

The first kind of transportation is the ever popular bus. Buses can be cheaper than driving. They are also good for the environment because it’s like a big car pool. But the school bus is also crowded and cluttered. The buses also run on a schedule, and you would probably miss your bus if you got there late.

Cars can be a fantastic way of getting to school. They are private, so you don’t have to worry about a person you despise sitting next to you. Car riding can also be inconvenient to your parents though or whoever you ride with. Some parents have to be at work at the time school starts and ends and they just can’t drive you there and back.

Riding a bike or walking can be good too. These ways are cheaper than driving, a bike isn’t too expensive, and walking is free. Bike riding or walking can also be inconvenient though. For example, what happens when it rains? Who wants to ride a bike or walk through bad weather?

All these transportation can be a great way to get to school or home from school, but can also be difficult. Maybe someday there will be better means of transportation.

Score 4

*Consistent focus on topic*Well developed; addresses the topic*Supporting examples and specific details*Logical sequencing of ideas*Introduction sets the stage; conclusion ends the piece without repetition*Varied sentence structure and length*Correct usage and mechanics

Example of Depth of Developmentin Score Point 4: Expository WritingIdeas Score 4 Topic: 8214

The first means of transportation is the ever popular bus. Buses can be much cheaper than driving. School buses don’t cost anything and city buses usually don’t cost more than a dollar. Although the bus is less expensive than driving, it’s also crowded and cluttered. The buses also run on a schedule, and you would probably miss your bus if you got there late.

Cars can be a fantastic way of getting to school. They are private, so you don’t have to worry about some intense coffee drinker breathing down your neck or a person you despise sitting next to you. Unfortunately cars are very expensive and with gas prices today, it becomes more unaffordable. Car riding can also be inconvenient to your parents or whomever you ride with. Some parents must be at work at the time school starts and ends and they just can’t drive you there and back.

Riding a bike or walking can be good too. These ways are cheaper as well, a bike isn’t too expensive now, and walking is free. And riding a bike or walking is definitely less polluting and the world doesn’t need anymore of that nasty pollution. The downside is it takes a lot longer to get from school and back. Let’s be honest here, a bike or a person just can’t go that fast and if you live far away from school, it can be a hassle. Bike riding or walking can also be inconvenient, for example, what happens when it rains? Or Snows? Who wants to ride a bike or walk through bad weather?

Score 5

*Addresses all aspects of writing topic*Supporting ideas, specific examples and

details*Ideas grouped in logical order*Effective transitions*Word choices are engaging and precise*Sentence variation in length and structure*Correct Usage and Mechanics* Complete control of all skills throughout

the entire paper

Example of Depth of Developmentin Score Point 5: Expository WritingIdeas Score 5 Topic: 8214

Have you ever thought about all the different types of transportation that can take you to school? At my school, lots of students take the bus or have their parents drop them off on the way to work. Those students who live near the school may walk or ride their bikes. All of these types of transportation can be great, depending on your situation, but they all have disadvantages too.

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about ways to get to school? The traditional yellow school bus. This is a great means of transportation for getting a large number of students to school on time. And as a student, school buses are free. You could also take a city bus if you live in a big city. They aren’t free, but city buses usually don’t cost more than a dollar. Although the bus is less expensive, it can also be crowded, cluttered, and noisy. I hate having to squeeze next to a total stranger and listen to kids yelling all the way to school.

If you prefer a more private mode of transportation, I suggest cars. You don’t have to worry about some intense coffee drinker breathing down your neck or a person you despise sitting next to you. You can also travel in the comfort of your own seat with the A/C set at your ideal temperature. Unfortunately, cars are very expensive and with gas prices at $4 a gallon, it quickly becomes more unaffordable. Car riding can also be inconvenient to your parents or whomever you ride with. Some parents must be at work at the time school starts and ends, and they just can’t drive you there and back.

Riding a bike or walking can be good too. These ways are cheaper as well, a bike isn’t too expensive now, and walking is free. And riding a bike or walking is definitely less polluting and the world doesn’t need anymore of that nasty pollution. You also get plenty of exercise peddling your bike or walking those miles to your school. The downside is it takes a lot longer to get from school and back. Let’s be honest here, a bike or a person just can’t go that fast and if you live far away from school, it can be a hassle. Bike riding or walking can also be inconvenient, for example, what happens when it rains? Or Snows? Who wants to ride a bike or walk through bad weather?

All these types of transportation can be a great way to get to school or home from school, but they can also be difficult. Let’s just face it - school is hard enough, so the way to get to and from school shouldn’t be hard too. Maybe someday there will be luxury cars with clean, affordable fuel for every student.

The more green, the more specific the paper.

The goal? More green!

Visual representation of a well written essay

CLOSINGBrief Constructed Response:

Summarize and explain “Going Green” in your own words.

Once you have completed your BCR, go back and use highlighters to show the different parts of “Going Green” in your own writing.

Read for 30 minutes. Review the Power Words.

Homework

Write a Prompt: Write a prompt of their your, based upon any of the texts we have read in class (or any you have read on your own), and will have to correctly use 1-2 Power Words.

Be prepared to share aloud!

Closing