1. AIMS REVIEW: Writing Dissecting Prompts & Outlining
Concepts borrowed from Buckle Down

2. Tip One 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?
Determine SAPF.
What do these letters represent? Explain what each word means. S A P F
Correct your answers to Question #1
Answer Question #1

3. Tip One: Practice
Practice finding the SAPF by completing question #2.
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.
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)

4. Tip Two Determine what you know and don’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.

5. Tip Two: Practice Practice 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!

6. Tip Three
Consider 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.

7. Tip Three: Practice
Practice 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.

8. Tip Four Understand 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. Tip Five
Understand 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.

13. Tip Five (notes) Writing Form: Purpose and Explanation: Length:
Narrative essay
To entertain
May 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 convince
Letter: Use business letter format
Five paragraphs
Descriptive essay
To describe
(Must include figurative language)
Expository essay
To explain
Speech
To convince OR to explain
Write just like an essay
Fill in the chart for question #9

14. Tip Six Create a detailed outline before you begin writing.
Create examples of graphic organizers in your AIMS Review packet.
Answer questions #10-13.

15. More Practice… The more you practice, the more prepared you will be.
Answer questions #14-17.
Answer questions #18-21.
Answer questions #22-25.