Just a Review and Something to Think About for Next Year

If everyone on staff did this type of prompt once a month, scores would rise!

The Prompts

Prompts are selected to ensure that the subject matter is interesting and appropriate for tenth grade students. In addition, prompts are reviewed for offensive or biased language relating to gender, religion, and racial or ethnic background.

Prompts have two basic components: the writing situation and the directions for writing. The writing situation orients students to the subject about which they are to write. The directions for writing set the parameters for writing, and in the case of persuasive prompts identify the audience to whom the writing is directed.

Sample expository prompt:

Writing Situation:

Everyone has jobs or chores.

Directions for Writing:

Think about why you do one of your jobs or chores.

Now explain why you do your job or chore.

Sample persuasive prompt:

Writing Situation:

The principal of your school has been asked to discuss with a parent group the effect watching TV has on students’ grades.

Directions for Writing:

Think about the effect watching TV has on your grades and your friends’ grades.

Now write to convince your principal to accept your point of view on the effect watching TV has on grades.