raft notes

R.A.F.T.

How do I R.A.F.T. a prompt?

Every writer needs to R.A.F.T.

Role Audience Form Topic

What is writer’s ROLE?

• Who is the writer and what does the writer know about the subject?

• What is the writer’s purpose?

Writer’s PurposeDescribe: • Some writing describes something or how to do something. • For example, the directions that come with a new toy have the purpose of

describing how to put the toy together.Inform: • Some writing has the purpose of informing. • Most news articles in the newspaper are written to inform. • A biography (a book written about the life of a person) usually has the

purpose of informing the reader about the person's life.Provide a Solution to a ProblemPersuade: • Some writing is written for the purpose of persuasion. • A good example of persuasive writing is the writing found in

advertisements. Advertisements are designed to persuade you to buy a certain product.

Writer’s Purpose Cont.

Argue:• Like persuasive writing, but an argument relies more on facts and less

on emotions• Speeches by politicians are also examples of persuasive writing.Compare/ContrastNarrate: • Narration has the purpose of telling a story. The narrator relates a

series of events.Entertain: • Some writing has the purpose of entertaining. • The comic strips in the newspaper are there to entertain the readers

with humor. • A mystery novel and a fairy tale are also good examples of writing

that have the purpose of entertaining

Who is the AUDIENCE?

• Who is the writer writing to?• What can the writer assume

about the reader?• What words are appropriate?

Who is the writer writing to?

–Teacher–Principal–Classmates–A younger student–A stranger–The

President–A business owner–Parents –Potential buyers–Potential employer

What can the writer assume about the reader?

• Will that person understand or expect academic vocabulary?

• Does that person believe the same things you do?

How does this affect your word choice?• When is slang and informal language

okay?• Is it possible to write with too many

“big words”?

What is the FORM?

• Essay• Story/Narrative• Letter• Presentation • Speech• Poem• Advertisement• Audition• Application to event/college

What is the TOPIC?

• What is the point of this piece?• What are you writing about?• What kinds of details are on

topic?

Right HereRight Now:R.A.F.T.!

• Role: Imagine that you are a news reporter hired to cover the story on Amelia’s flight across the Atlantic.

• Audience: Those who would buy your newspaper thus providing you a job so make your article interesting.

• Format: News Article/ Describe her voyage, her reaction, and her accomplishments right after. Inform your readers that she will be touring Europe and then returning to New York to attend the tickertape parade. Encourage your readers to come out a meet this amazing women. Post your news article to your assigned discussion board for others to read.  Comment on at least two other group member postings.

• Topic: The recent flight of Amelia Earhart

RAFT this!

Situation for Writing: The lead editor of a local newspaper in the 1930s is looking for an exciting story on the Amelia Earhart’s trans Atlantic flight.

Directions for Writing: Write a News Article that describes her voyage, her reaction, and her accomplishments right after. Inform your readers that she will be touring Europe and then returning to New York to attend the tickertape parade. Encourage your readers to come out a meet this amazing women. Post your news article to your assigned discussion board for others to read.