1. Reading and Interpreting Writing Prompts

2. Understanding the Writing Topic:
State Slide
Understanding the Writing Topic:
All Grade 8 writing topics contain two sections – the Writing Situation and the Directions for Writing.
The Writing Situation gives the background for the writing assignment. The first sentence of the Writing Situation introduces the general topic.
The Writing Directions tell what type of assignment is to be written. It also contains the formal topic.
It is important that students read both the Writing Situation and the Directions for Writing all the way through at least once before they go back to try to figure out difficult words and ideas. Reading both will provide students with the proper context of the writing topic and prevent them from focusing on one or two words that may cause them to produce an off-topic response.
Both of the sample writing topics were built from the kernel “entertainment: television shows.”

3. Reader Concerns
State Slide
Reader Concerns are the expectations a reader brings to a piece of writing.
General reader concerns:
A readers needs enough information to understand the writer’s purpose and message. What was the purpose of that last prompt?
A reader should be able to read a paper without knowing the assigned prompt or assigned genre and be able to identify the writer’s purpose.
A reader should be able to tell if he/she is reading a report or an argument. This speaks to the GENRE. Expository has no opinions!
Anticipating reader concerns in expository and persuasive writing refers to the writer’s understanding that the reader may not know very much about the topic or issue and therefore the writer needs to both set the stage and define any technical terms that the reader may not be familiar with.
Given the sample expository prompt, a reader concern might be knowing if the television show being designed is a sitcom, drama, or reality show.
Given the sample persuasive prompt in which the assigned audience is a network executive, a reader concern might be the impact of canceling a television show on network ratings and therefore revenues.
This ends Part Five of the presentation. Ask participants if they have questions about the terminology in the Ideas Rubric. Allow 5-10 minutes for discussion.
Because Ideas is the most heavily weighted scoring domain in the Georgia Grade 8 Writing Assessment, it might be helpful to further review the Levels of Development sample papers.

4. Directions for Writing
Writing Situation Water – How would we survive without clean drinking water? The Chattahoochee Water Conservation Group has asked you to become a River Keeper member. You must design a letter to public the encouraging them to protect and conserve our water supply.
Directions for Writing
Write a letter that will be mailed to the public to encourage their support of the water conservation movement. Be sure you include the benefits of becoming an eco-friendly member of society. Remember to use specific details to support and explain your reasons. Make your letter interesting and engaging.

5. Other Important Information
“Remember to use specific details to support and explain your reasons.”
In other words, BACK IT UP! NO, BECAUSE I SAID SO!
“Make your letter interesting and engaging.”
Choose adjectives carefully
Keep your audience in mind as you SPEAK TO THEM.
Also – Be sure you address possible counter arguments that your reader may have in their mind!

6. Make it a RAFT Role: You are a River Keeper / Conservationist
to become a River Keeper member
Audience: The Public
to public the
Format: A letter of encouragement
Write a letter that will be mailed to the public
TOPIC: support the water conservation movement. Be sure you include the benefits of becoming an eco-friendly member of society.

7. Depth of Development P1 P2 P3s State Slide! Controlling Idea
Supporting Ideas P1
Major Details P2
The controlling idea serves as the focus for all the other layers of details.
The supporting ideas are the main points the writer is using to develop the controlling idea.
Major Details are the evidence used to elaborate or develop each of the supporting ideas.
Specific examples, anecdotes, facts, and statistics are used to fully develop each of the major details.
Students who receive minimal scores in Ideas often fail to develop their controlling ideas beyond Level Two, that is listing supporting ideas without providing the details to support them.
An effective graphic organizer would include all four levels of development.
The student papers in this guide may be used to model recognizing levels of development. Together the class may analyze and discuss each idea in the model papers to determine which level of development it represents.
P3s
Specific Examples
And Elaboration
State Slide!

8. Did someone say Power Writing?
P1: Benefit for them #1 save $
P2: using less water = lower water bill
P3: turn off while brushing
P3: combine laundry load if possible
P3: take shorter showers
P2: save on electric bill
P3: combined loads = less hot water
P3: shorter showers also require less hot water
The P3s backup/support/fill out the ideas!
The for them speaks to your audience.

9. Use Counter Arguments
Hook & Introduction
Introduce the product and address your audience
This could be the place for a personal anecdote.
Supporting Statement #1
P3 – facts
P3 – statistics
P3 – evidence
P3 – examples
to back up statement
Supporting Statement #2
P3 – facts
P3 – statistics
P3 – evidence
P3 – examples
to back up statement
Audience Concerns
counter the cons the audience may be able to think of.
Choose the one, largest con and defend your position.
Create a conclusion that does NOT repeat your ideas but continues to draw in the audience and make call to action!

10. The Components of Style
STATE SLIDE: Remember, it isn’t always what you say, it is how you say it.
Addressing concerns assists with AUDIENCE AWARENESS. It also gives you VOICE.
Style: The degree to which the writer controls language to engage the reader.

11. Genre Appropriate Strategies
Persuasive Writing
Emotional Appeals
Figurative Language
Connotative Meanings
Evocative Voice
Rhetorical Questions; “What kinds of television shows do kids want?”
Addressing the reader: “You should” or “We all should”
STATE SLIDE: What strategy did you use? Did you address the audience to engage/pull them into your paper? Were you convincing?
A report doesn’t necessarily have to sound like an encyclopedia or a dictionary; the writer can be personal even in expository writing.
Descriptive details appeal to the reader’s senses: seeing, hearing, feeling, smelling, tasting.
Rhetorical questions are questions that are asked to provoke thought, without expectation of an answer. The person asking the question provides the answer, or the answer to the question is obvious.
Expository papers may not have the same type of word choice and tone as persuasive papers. Persuasive prompts may yield more engaging language and concerned or emotional tones, but these are no more or less effective than the technical language and authoritative tones used in expository writing.
In expository writing, students may use technical language.
In expository pieces, students may adopt an authoritative tone as if they are an expert on the topic/subject.
This is the end of Part Seven. Ask participants if they have questions about the terms in the Style rubric. Allow 5-10 minutes for discussion.

12. RAFT it and Outline it! Writing Situation
Your favorite television show has been cancelled. The president of the television network has announced that he might change his mind about canceling the show if enough people write letters to complain about his decision.
Directions for Writing
Write a letter to the president of the television network to convince him or her to not to cancel your favorite show. Include specific details to support your position.
Each new Grade 8 Prompt contains a “Writing Situation” and “Directions for Writing.”
The prompt is a stimulus intended to elicit writing samples from students with varied personal and educational backgrounds.
The broad scope of the topic (students may choose their own show) is intended to provide a writing opportunity for all of Georgia’s grade 8 students.
The prompt attempts to provide all students with enough information to understand and write about the subject or issue.
The prompt also specifies a realistic audience for the student writer to address.
Some student writers will approach the topic from a school/academic knowledge base. Some will respond from their own firsthand experiences. The following examples are from this persuasive writing topic.
It is in the television network’s best interests that this show be returned to the air because you will lose viewers and advertising revenue.
It is in mine and my family’s best interests that this show be returned to the air because we miss this show so much and it was an important part of our lives.
7. There is no one correct response to a writing prompt. 12

13. The Anecdote
–noun a short account of a particular incident or event of an interesting or amusing nature, often biographical.
These are good for the introduction and/or the conclusion. The state wants you to connect with your read AND THEN keep them engaged throughout the paper.

14. How do I figure out what to write? Analyze the Prompt for:
We Went RAFTing!
Writing Situation
Your favorite television show has been cancelled. The president of the television network has announced that he might change his mind about canceling the show if enough people write letters to complain about his decision.
Directions for Writing
Write a letter to the president of the television network to convince him or her to not to cancel your favorite show. Include specific details to support your position.
How do I figure out what to write? Analyze the Prompt for:
Role (Who am I? ) A fan of a TV Show
Audience (To whom am I writing?) The Network President - formal tones
Format (Is it an expository report or a persuasive letter?) Persuasive Letter
Topic (What is it really asking me to address?) Convincing reasons not to cancel my favorite TV show!
Each new Grade 8 Prompt contains a “Writing Situation” and “Directions for Writing.”
The prompt is a stimulus intended to elicit writing samples from students with varied personal and educational backgrounds.
The broad scope of the topic (students may choose their own show) is intended to provide a writing opportunity for all of Georgia’s grade 8 students.
The prompt attempts to provide all students with enough information to understand and write about the subject or issue.
The prompt also specifies a realistic audience for the student writer to address.
Some student writers will approach the topic from a school/academic knowledge base. Some will respond from their own firsthand experiences. The following examples are from this persuasive writing topic.
It is in the television network’s best interests that this show be returned to the air because you will lose viewers and advertising revenue.
It is in mine and my family’s best interests that this show be returned to the air because we miss this show so much and it was an important part of our lives.
7. There is no one correct response to a writing prompt. 14

15. Intro: address audience, discuss family happiness while watching show AKA – the anecdote, bring it back
P1 – Don’t cancel yet, give it a chance
P2 – Needs more time to grow fan base
P3 – Look at 24 – it took time to catch on
P3 – Look at My Name is Earl – it, too was
not an instant success
P2 – Word of mouth has just started
P3 – the water cooler
P3 – the baseball park

16. Let’s Practice: RAFT it & Outline it!
Sample Persuasive Writing Topic
Writing Situation
Many school systems do not allow students to carry backpacks to class. They are seen as a danger due to someone tripping over them or someone carrying a concealed weapon. Your system is currently reviewing this policy
Directions for Writing
Write a letter to the school superintendent convincing him that student should or should not carry backpacks to class. Be sure to support your ideas with specific examples.
Each new Grade 8 Prompt contains a “Writing Situation” and “Directions for Writing.”
The prompt is a stimulus intended to elicit writing samples from students with varied personal and educational backgrounds.
The broad scope of the topic (students may choose their own show) is intended to provide a writing opportunity for all of Georgia’s grade 8 students.
The prompt attempts to provide all students with enough information to understand and write about the subject or issue.
The prompt also specifies a realistic audience for the student writer to address.
Some student writers will approach the topic from a school/academic knowledge base. Some will respond from their own firsthand experiences. The following examples are from this persuasive writing topic.
It is in the television network’s best interests that this show be returned to the air because you will lose viewers and advertising revenue.
It is in mine and my family’s best interests that this show be returned to the air because we miss this show so much and it was an important part of our lives.
7. There is no one correct response to a writing prompt.

17. Let’s Practice: RAFT it & Outline it!
Writing Situation
Your class is being given the opportunity to design a new building for your city. The building could be a hotel, stadium, store, museum, etc. An architectural design committee has been formed to review your building plans and ideas.
Directions for Writing
Write a letter to the mayor of the city that will explain your idea for your building as well as your design. Be sure to include specific details that describe your design in appearance as well as function. Convince the mayor to include your building in the city.
Each new Grade 8 Prompt contains a “Writing Situation” and “Directions for Writing.”
The prompt is a stimulus intended to elicit writing samples from students with varied personal and educational backgrounds.
The broad scope of the topic (students may choose their own show) is intended to provide a writing opportunity for all of Georgia’s grade 8 students.
The prompt attempts to provide all students with enough information to understand and write about the subject or issue.
The prompt also specifies a realistic audience for the student writer to address.
Some student writers will approach the topic from a school/academic knowledge base. Some will respond from their own firsthand experiences. The following examples are from this persuasive writing topic.
It is in the television network’s best interests that this show be returned to the air because you will lose viewers and advertising revenue.
It is in mine and my family’s best interests that this show be returned to the air because we miss this show so much and it was an important part of our lives.
7. There is no one correct response to a writing prompt.

18. Summative Assessment Writing Situation
You are a cell phone owner. All services providers are releasing cell phone numbers to telemarketing companies next month, and you will begin to receive sales calls. In that these are incoming calls, you will charged minutes for these. Even if the call goes to voic , you will use minutes listening to and deleting them.
Directions for Writing
Write a letter to your cell phone provider convincing them of the importance of not releasing their list of numbers to telemarketers. Be sure to validate your opinion with specific examples and reasons.
Each new Grade 8 Prompt contains a “Writing Situation” and “Directions for Writing.”
The prompt is a stimulus intended to elicit writing samples from students with varied personal and educational backgrounds.
The broad scope of the topic (students may choose their own show) is intended to provide a writing opportunity for all of Georgia’s grade 8 students.
The prompt attempts to provide all students with enough information to understand and write about the subject or issue.
The prompt also specifies a realistic audience for the student writer to address.
Some student writers will approach the topic from a school/academic knowledge base. Some will respond from their own firsthand experiences. The following examples are from this persuasive writing topic.
It is in the television network’s best interests that this show be returned to the air because you will lose viewers and advertising revenue.
It is in mine and my family’s best interests that this show be returned to the air because we miss this show so much and it was an important part of our lives.
7. There is no one correct response to a writing prompt.