 Find the directives and circle them (specific directional words)  Draw an arrow to the action (who or what)  List the complete directive/s that need to be accomplished to address the prompt  This helps you decipher what the assignment is asking you to do.

 Choose a Thinking Map  Brainstorm your writing  The more ideas/information you have to choose from will greatly improve your writing.  This helps you focus and organize your writing  Think AZ Merit Writing Rubric

 Choose your main focus areas for your writing from your thinking map  Create a working thesis statement  Expository (Informative/Explanatory)  Topic + Importance/Relevance + Details/Specifics= Thesis Statement  Argument:  Topic + Belief + Reasons= Thesis Statement

 Purpose  1 st person? Can I use “I”?  2 nd person? Instructional implying “You”  3 rd person?  Is it to inform or explain?  Is it to argue a claim?  What perspective am I writing in?  My own or some other authoritative position.

 Who is my intended audience?  What group, people, or particular individual?  Who am I writing to?  Formal/Casual = Language needed to convey message  How does this change my tone?

 What format am I writing in?  Argument?  Narrative?  Letter?  Instructional or Explanatory?  Informative?  How does this change my planning?

Define my clear topic and make that the focus.  What am I writing about? Do not go…