the Prompt!

What is GAP? GAP is a writing strategy which allows you to “slice up” an FCAT WRITES prompt.

Write it right the first time! GAP is a way of making sure every aspect required by the prompt is covered in your essay, allowing it to get the high score it deserves!

What does stand for? Genre – literary format in which you are supposed to write Audience – who you’re writing to Purpose – why you are writing and what you are writing about

G enre  First of all, what does “genre” mean? A type of or format of something (ex. music genres include…)  Mark key words in the Directions for Writing prompt section.  FCAT Writes ALWAYS requires a 5-paragraph format (Yes, the State is sneaky!), but you can simply add format elements.  Write the word “essay” and any unusual formatting instructions next to the G.

A udience  Mark key words which indicate who you are writing to, who your audience is.  Is it a particular person or group?  How old are is this target audience?  If no audience is stated, then write as if addressing an adult, and use formal English.  Then, write your audience next to the A.

P urpose  Mark key words which might indicate whether you are to write persuasive or expository essay.  Expository (Explain) Prompt Key Words: “explain,” “tell,” “illustrate,” “show,” or “a time or experience”  Persuasive (Persuade) Prompt Key Words: “convince,” “persuade,” “defend,” or “argue,” “reasons,” “present,” “side,” “opinion,” or “position”  Then, write either the verb explain or persuade next to the P, and make a backslash.

P urpose, continued  Mark key words which tell the issue to write about (purpose/why you’re writing).  Pay attention to key words such as “and” and “or” which might indicate a perspective or side you must take. To date, “riding the fence” has been a bad idea (The State ends up asking for AN opinion or side—sneakily, but that’s what they do).  Record that information next to the P. You don’t want your essay to sound like… or even worse…

Writers only ever write for one of THREE reasons. This goes for you too when you write… P I E Purposes for Writing ersuade (persuasive writing) nform (expository writing) ntertain (narrative writing)

GAP the Prompt Writing Situation: Some experts think students should be paid for good attendance. Directions for Writing: Write to convince you local school board whether pay-for-attendance is a good or bad policy.

A Sample GAP: G - essay in letter format A - school board P - persuade / they should pay students to come to school Okay, in a letter-formatted essay, I need to persuade the school board that students should be paid to come to school. Here’s my introductory paragraph: Dear School Board Members, “Show me the money!” is a line made famous by the movie Jerry McGuire, but it is exactly how many students in the Lee County School District feel. We are tired of working eight hour days for nothing except the privilege of being promoted to the next grade level. This is appalling! We come to work in restricting clothes, we have to raise our hand for permission to do anything, we get very few breaks to use the restroom, and we even have to take our work home and do it in what little free time we have. It’s high time that you, the School Board of Lee County, gave your students what we’re entitled to—a paycheck!

To Perform the GAP Strategy:  Write the letters, “G,” “A,” and “P” vertically down the prompt paper.  Then, examine the prompt carefully. Pay special attention to the Directions for Writing.

What next?  Now, create your thesis based on the GAP information (especially the P info.). From there, you will plan out your essay.  Be sure to use the G to format it, and the A to address it according to the prompt.

A Sample GAP: G - essay in letter format A - school board P - persuade / they should pay students to come to school Okay, in a letter-formatted essay, I need to persuade the school board that students should be paid to come to school. Here’s my introductory paragraph: Dear School Board Members, “Show me the money!” is a line made famous by the movie Jerry McGuire, but it is exactly how many students in the Lee County School District feel. We are tired of working eight hour days for nothing except the privilege of being promoted to the next grade level. This is appalling! We come to work in restricting clothes, we have to raise our hand for permission to do anything, we get very few breaks to use the restroom, and we even have to take our work home and do it in what little free time we have. It’s high time that you, the School Board of Lee County, gave your students what we’re entitled to—a paycheck!

Review Time What does G.A.P. stand for?  Genre  Audience  Purpose What is G.A.P. used for?  Analyzing writing prompts.

Practice - Let's GAP this Prompt Writing Situation: Most teenagers have chores. Directions for Writing: Think about why it is important for teenagers to have chores. Now write to explain why it is important for teenagers to have chores.

Practice - Let's GAP this Prompt Writing Situation: The principal of your school has suggested that watching TV causes grades to drop. Directions for Writing: Think about the effect watching TV has on your grades and your friends' grades. Now write to convince your principal whether watching TV causes students' grades to drop.