SPAM-ing

Your Prompt Analysis Tool

In each prompt- Look for SPAM

• Situation: Event that causes you the need to write. (on test you pretend)

• Purpose: The reason you’re writing: to persuade, to narrate an event, to respond to a text/ graphic/ chart.

• Audience: The person (people) you’re pretending to write to.

• Mode: The type of writing you are to do: letter, feature article, editorial, or speech.

• Situation: Event that causes you the need to write. (on test you pretend)

• Purpose: The reason you’re writing: to persuade, to narrate an event, to respond to a text/ graphic/ chart.

• Audience: The person (people) you’re pretending to write to.

• Mode: The type of writing you are to do: letter, feature article, editorial, or speech.

Situation• Situation is labeled for you• It’s always the first part of the

prompt• It’s a make believe situation that

hasn’t really happened to you• It creates a need to write• Underline key words in the

situation

• Situation is labeled for you• It’s always the first part of the

prompt• It’s a make believe situation that

hasn’t really happened to you• It creates a need to write• Underline key words in the

situation

PurposeLook for one of these in the writing task:• Inform on a given topic(organize

information by using main ideas and supporting details.)

• Persuade (Consider the needs/feelings of the audience as you solve problems and/or convince them. Use main ideas and supporting details.)

• Narrate for a purpose (Narrate to inform or persuade)

Audience• Look in the writing task for the audience• It might be an individual or a group• You write to an audience for reasons

stated in the prompt • Consider what the audience needs to

know, wants to know, and already knows

• Imagine what questions they will have for you. Answer them in your writing.

• Look in the writing task for the audience• It might be an individual or a group• You write to an audience for reasons

stated in the prompt • Consider what the audience needs to

know, wants to know, and already knows

• Imagine what questions they will have for you. Answer them in your writing.

Mode: The Format• Look in the writing task for the mode:

letter, feature article, editorial, speech• Follow the format• Letter has a date/return address, a

greeting/salutation, a body, a closing, & a signature

• Speeches, Editorials, and Articles have: titles, leads, bodies, conclusions

• Look in the writing task for the mode: letter, feature article, editorial, speech

• Follow the format• Letter has a date/return address, a

greeting/salutation, a body, a closing, & a signature

• Speeches, Editorials, and Articles have: titles, leads, bodies, conclusions

Constraints of On Demand Writing

• Time (120 minutes *)

• Feedback (none)• No collaboration• Minimally authentic• No sources outside

of your personal knowledge on the topic

The Five-Paragraph Essay

Your formula for WOD success

Paragraph 1: Intro

• Should have an engaging lead: introductory technique

• Start broad and narrow down topic

• Should include:• Background information• Thesis Statement

Thesis Statement

• Indicates your paper’s topic• Identifies your position/stance on

the topic-- your opinion in sentence form

• Provides an overview of the three main supporting points that will unify the essay

• Usually the last sentence in the intro

Paragraph 2: firstBody Paragraph

• Begins with a transition phrase and topic sentence that identifies the main idea

• Has at least 3 supporting details• Statements/Examples• Reasons• Evidence

• All of the sentences are on the same topic• Ends with a transition sentence

Transition Sentence

• Usually found at the end of a body paragraph

• Makes a clear connection from one paragraph to the other

• Uses transition words or phrases• Is logical• Develops coherence in the essay

Common Transition Phrases & Words

• First• First of all• Second• Secondly• Third• Next• Then• Afterwards• In the morning• In the evening

•In addition•Also•More importantly•Finally•At last•Therefore•In summary•In conclusion

Paragraph 3: Body Paragraph 2

• Begins with a transition phrase and a topic sentence that identifies the main idea

• Has at least 3 supporting details• Statements/Examples• Reasons• Evidence

• All of the sentences are on the same topic

• Ends with a transition sentence

Paragraph 4: Body Paragraph 3

• Begins with a transition phrase and a topic sentence that identifies the main idea

• Has at least 3 supporting details• Statements/Examples• Reasons• Evidence

• All of the sentences are on the same topic

Paragraph 5: The Conclusion

• Restates the thesis statement in different words (paraphrase)

• Reiterates the 3 main ideas from the body paragraphs

• Conclusion technique:Leave the reader with something to think about OR a call to action

• DO NOT REPEAT THE SAME WORDING USED ELSEWHERE IN THE ESSAY