ELA II – Friday Writing Lessons Most Friday’s we’ll spend the period working on our writing. You’ll need to take a few notes, so get out some paper.

BR – 08.25.2017 Most Fridays we’ll take a vocab quiz, and then proceed into a writing lesson. Today is Friday so we’ll start with our first writing lesson! Go get your notebook, and take out paper for notes. Title this paper “Prewriting: How to PAT the Prompt” Update your “Writing & Grammar” table of contents Date Assignment Page # 8/25/2017 Notes: Prewriting: How to PAT the Prompt 1

Writing Process

Prewriting: 4 Steps to Approaching the Text Step 1: Break down the prompt What is the prompt asking me to do with the texts? What is my purpose for reading the texts? What am I supposed to find in the texts? Step 2: Read and take notes to meet the purpose. How can I take notes to help me meet my purpose for reading? What kind of organizer will help me take notes? Step 3: If comparing or synthesizing, identify and group related ideas. What ideas do the texts have in common? What ideas or words are repeated across the texts? Step 4: Draft a plan or outline of the response. What will be my thesis for the essay? Does my thesis answer ALL parts of the prompt? Do each of my supporting paragraphs maintain clear points that support my thesis? How will I organize my ideas in my body paragraphs? What evidence from the texts will I use to support my ideas?

Step 1: Break down the prompt What is the prompt asking me to do with the texts? What is my purpose for reading the texts? What am I supposed to find in the texts? In order to answer these questions you must remember to PAT the prompt! P = Purpose A = Audience T = Thesis Focus

PAT the prompt Purpose – What is my purpose for writing this, does the prompt want me to explain something or argue something? Explain = expository writing (primarily explanatory) Your goal is to use examples, facts, and other evidence to present your idea about your subject so that readers understand it as you do Argue = argumentative writing (primarily persuasive) Your goal is to use examples, facts and other evidence to support your position on a debatable subject so that readers will at least consider your view or even agree with it

PAT the prompt Audience – Who is my audience? Did the prompt tell me who exactly was going to be reading this? Knowing your audience will help determine what kind of language and formatting is appropriate to use. Did it ask you to write a letter to a congressman? Did it ask you to argue with your principal about the new dress code? Did it not specify anyone? Often times the prompt will not specifically address anyone. If this is the case assume that a teacher will be reading it, and use a formal tone throughout your paper.

PAT the prompt Thesis Focus – What specifically am I being asked to focus on? What must my thesis statement address? In order to answer the prompt my paper needs to be discussing _______ . Whatever goes in that blank is the FOCUS that your thesis will address.

Examples of PAT(ting) the prompt Prompt: What invention would the world be better off without and why? Write a letter to the inventor of the invention explaining why we could all do without. Purpose: explain Audience: the inventor of the invention Thesis focus: the one invention we could do without

Examples of PAT(ting) the prompt Prompt: If you could choose to be raised by robots, dinosaurs, or aliens who would you pick? Why? In a brief essay explain your choice and the advantages your choice has. Purpose: explain Audience: it doesn’t say – default = teacher Thesis focus: the advantages of being raised by your one choice

Examples of PAT(ting) the prompt Prompt: Explain the conditions that are necessary to a lasting peace and security in the world according to both speeches. Your written response should be in the form of a multi-paragraph essay. Purpose: explain Audience: it doesn’t say – default = teacher Thesis focus: conditions for lasting peace

You try: PAT the following 5 prompts with your groups. 1. Write an essay where you compare and contrast the themes found in Of Mice and Men and The Grapes of Wrath, for your English class. 2. According to the text, which energy source is better, wind or solar? Write an essay convincing your community to adapt one of these energy sources. 3. Describe to a toddler how apples and oranges should be compared. 4. What rhetorical devices were most effective in Patrick Henry’s “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech? 5. Read the three articles about cheerleading. After reading the articles, write an essay in which you argue whether or not cheerleading should be considered a sport.