The basics of writing prompts
Good prompts do a whole lot more
Writing assignments that require a constructed written response
are called prompts. They have nothing to do with timely performance,
as I'm sure you are aware from excuses you've heard for late assignments.
Rather, they give opportunities, reminders, or suggestions for
writing, as in "You might want to write this essay if you don't
want to stay home from the basketball game Friday night."
Such assignments are a normal part of life in both the workplace
and in academic settings.
In work situations, the assignment-giver is interested only
in the final product.
In school, however, the
writing process is as important as the product it delivers.
Below is an overview of the subject of student writing prompts.
The information is equally applicable to middle school, high school,
and college writing assignments.
Characteristics of good prompts
Authentic prompts
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Authentic classroom prompts mimic real-world writing
prompts.
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Authentic prompts help struggling writers who have
nothing to say if they lack information.
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Teachers should give students at least one formal prompt on
each main English area each year.
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Students who do assignments requiring authentic intellectual
work show greater gains on standardized tests.
Formal prompts
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Formal prompts require thoughtful, considered responses
written with attention to writing
mechanics.
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They encourage higher level thinking.
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They can create learning situations involving hands-on
research, collaboration, interviews, or library research.
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Teachers typically prepare prompts that require persuasive-pattern,
five-paragraph essays.
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Teachers can give beginning
writers a thesis or choice of two theses to help them get
quickly into the writing process.
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Formal prompts,
such as essays and essay tests, are often used for summative
assessments.
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Teachers must test all formal writing assignments by actually
doing the activities the prompt calls for.
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Grading rubrics help teachers
avoid overwork by focusing their attention on the most important
aspects of written assignments.
Informal prompts
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Informal prompts seek quick responses.
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Students are less passive when required to write.
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Informal writing sessions aid in classroom management.
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Informal writing offers formative
assessment opportunities.
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Teachers must respond to
informal writing without grading or editing it.
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Informal prompts can serve many different purposes.
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Teachers must test informal prompts before giving them.
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The timed aspect of informal writing prepares students for
more formal, higher stakes writing situations.
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