abc +d strategy for attacking prompts

On-Demand writingABC +D Strategy

ABC +D Strategy

Attack the prompt

Brainstorm possible answers

Choose the order of your response

Detect errors before turning the draft in

Attack the prompt

• Unpack the Prompt:• The first half of the prompt is usually a “warm-up”• The actual question is usually in the second part.

• Attack the Prompt:• Cross out the words “Write an essay.” We know the objective

is to write. Reducing words helps reduce distractions.• Circle any words that ask you to do something. Circle active

verbs like discuss, share, describe, support. The prompt may ask you to do more than one thing, so this helps you to get clear about the number of tasks you are being assigned.

• Draw an arrow from each circled word to its object, what it specifically tells you to do.

• Under the prompt, rewrite and number the circled words. Next to each verb, rewrite what the word asks you to do.

Attack the prompt

Taking a good look at ourselves is a useful thing to do. In this essay we want you to look at your strengths. Decide on one of your strengths as the topic for this essay.

Write an essay in which you explain what you think is one of your most significant strengths. Explain why you think that strength is important by showing how that strength helped you in several instances.

1. Explain – most significant strength2. Explain – why that strength is important3. Show – how it helped, in several instances


Brainstorm in the order of your numbered items.

Brainstorm:1st layer of the prompt: Make a topic choice

2nd layer of the prompt: Why important

3rd layer of the prompt : Supporting details (instances)

BIntelligenceTrustworthinessReliabilityOpen-mindednessCreativity

1. Explain – most significant strength2. Explain – why that strength is

important3. Show – how it helped, in several

instances


BIntelligenceTrustworthinessReliabilityOpen-mindednessCreativity

1. Explain – most significant strength2. Explain – why that strength is important3. Show – how it helped, in several instances

Creativity

• Interesting hobbies

• Creative friends• Travel to unusual

places

• Reach students who can’t speak English

• Reach students with poor behaviors

• Make learning more fun & interesting

• Raise money for training trip• Find inexpensive, temporary

place to stay • Alternative treatments for

health issues

• Artistic projects• Deal w/ difficult

emotions• Sort out my thoughts

& beliefs

Fun Life Teaching

Solve ProblemsSelf-Expression


• Decide what goes 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc. Number the sections of your brainstorming.

• Decide what parts of your brainstorming get cut (do not make it into the draft). Cross out parts.


Creativity

Fun Life• Interesting

hobbies• Creative friends• Travel to unusual

places

Teaching• Reach students who

can’t speak English• Reach students with

poor behaviors• Make learning more fun

& interesting

Solve Problems• Raise money for training trip• Find inexpensive, temporary

place to stay • Alternative treatments for

health issues

Self-Expression• Artistic projects• Deal w/ difficult

emotions• Sort out my thoughts

& beliefs

1

23


• You MUST reread your essay carefully before turning it in.

• Check for thesis statement (& rephrased thesis), topic sentences and summary statements. TEST your paragraphs.

• Use the STAR revision strategy.• Read each sentence separately, backwards, to check for

sentence structure. Poor sentence structure will kill your essay!

ABC +D Strategy

Attack the prompt




abc +d strategy for attacking prompts

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