1. PowerEd Writing © 2007 Evaluating the Prompt What to write about… Write On!

2. PowerEd Writing © 2007 Evaluating the Prompt Spend 5 minutes on the following steps: What type of essay are you writing? – Expository? Explain – Persuasive? Convince or persuade What exactly are you supposed to write about? Identify advanced vocabulary – Which words from the prompt should you include in your essay? Write On!

3. PowerEd Writing © 2007 Example: Prompt: All schools have rules that students must follow. Think about reasons why schools have rules that students are required to follow while at school. Now write to explain why it is important to follow rules while in school. Write On! What type of essay are you writing? Explain = Expository essay What exactly are you supposed to write about? Rules Schools Required Explain why it is important to follow rules in school. Identify advanced vocabulary:

4. PowerEd Writing © 2007 Practice: Prompt: Many students and parents believe that students are given too much homework. Think about whether or not there should be a limit on homework. Now write to convince the school board whether or not there should be a limit on homework. Write On! What type of essay are you writing? Convince= Persuasive essay What exactly are you supposed to write about? Students Homework Limit School board Persuade the school board whether or not there should be a limit on homework. Identify advanced vocabulary:

5. PowerEd Writing © 2007 Using Prior Knowledge & Character Traits Gather your thoughts… IDEAS IDEAS! Write On! Powerful & Significant

6. PowerEd Writing © 2007 Activate Prior Knowledge After reading the prompt, write down all the thoughts you have about the subject. Use your own knowledge base to get you started. Write On!

7. PowerEd Writing © 2007 Use Character Traits Using the following character traits (or variations) will help make your writing powerful and effective. – Responsibility / Responsible – Respect / Respectful – Kindness / Kind – Citizenship / Citizen – Honesty / Honest – Self-Control – Tolerance / Tolerant – Cooperation / Cooperate Try to incorporate at least one character trait into each essay you write. Write On!

8. PowerEd Writing © 2007 List ideas by using Prior Knowledge & Character Traits Prompt: All schools have rules that students must follow. Think about reasons why schools have rules that students are required to follow while at school. Now write to explain why it is important to follow rules while in school. Write On! Importance of Rules SafetyFairness Promotes Learning Instill Values

9. PowerEd Writing © 2007 List ideas by using Prior Knowledge & Character Traits Write On! Prompt: Many students and parents believe that students are given too much homework. Think about whether or not there should be a limit on homework. Now write to convince the school board whether or not there should be a limit on homework. Outside Interests Athletics Volunteer Work Family Time Responsibility Work harder in school Need to ask for clarification in class Lack of Help at Home Parents work Family not familiar with different subjects Limit Homework

10. PowerEd Writing © 2007 Detail and Thesis Statements Your road map to a great essay! Write On!

11. PowerEd Writing © 2007 Detail Statements Detail Statements Uses time order transitions Answers question posed in prompt Clear and to the point Prepares reader for rest of essay

12. PowerEd Writing © 2007 Detail Statements Evaluate ideas – Choose best 3 – Incorporate a character trait Analyze word choice – Choose powerful words – Use wording from prompt Use time-order transitions to begin each statement – First, – Next, – Last,

13. PowerEd Writing © 2007 Thesis Statements Thesis Statement Answers question posed in prompt Clear and to the point Can stand on its own

14. PowerEd Writing © 2007 Develop Detail Statements or a Thesis Statement: Prompt: All schools have rules that students must follow. Think about reasons why schools have rules that students are required to follow while at school. Now write to explain why it is important to follow rules while in school. Choose best ideas: Safety Promotes Learning Instill Values Detail Statements: To begin, concern for safety is a reason schools have rules for students to follow. Also, rules promote learning. Additionally, it is important for schools to instill values in their students. Thesis Statement: Schools have rules students must follow because they are concerned with safety, rules promote learning, and schools need to instill values in students.

15. PowerEd Writing © 2007 Practice: Prompt: Your class has been studying various ways to help the environment. Think about why it is important for everyone to help the environment and ways that this can be accomplished. Now write to explain different ways that people can help the environment. Write On!

16. PowerEd Writing © 2007 Evaluate Ideas & Analyze Word Choice for Detail and Thesis Statements Ways to help the environment Help endangered animals Assist endangered animals Go Green Re-use Try to recycle Make an effort to recycle Choose 3 best ideas Modify word choice

17. PowerEd Writing © 2007 Write Detail Statements To begin, assisting endangered animals is a fantastic way to help the environment. Next, everyone should Go Green whenever they can. Finally, recycling is a proven method to make our world a better place.

18. PowerEd Writing © 2007 Write Thesis Statement Without a doubt, everyone should try to help the environment by assisting endangered animals, Going Green, and recycling. Write On!