Deconstructing Writing Prompts
Study the example of a writing prompt deconstruction below. Then follow the steps and use the Guiding Questions for Deconstructing a Writing Prompt to practice this strategy on additional prompts about The Odyssey.
Steps for Deconstructing Writing Prompts:
- Read through the prompt a few times.
- Analyze and annotate the prompt: 1) circle the power verbs that indicate what you will need to DO, 2) underline key details that follow the verbs to clarify the task, and 3) count and number the different tasks within the prompt so you can check that you have addressed all parts of the prompt.
- Answer the questions below to check your understanding and prepare you for responding to the prompt.
Sample Prompt:There has been ongoing debate about the impact of digital tools on reading and writing in the 21st century and how schools should teach literacy skills in the classroom; the Common Core Standards for English Language Arts address the concern that over the years, students’ reading skills have declined while the demands of college and career reading have not changed. What does it mean to “read” in the digital age? Write a multi-paragraph essay arguing whether students’ literacy skills are helped or hindered by the pervasiveness of digital media use.
1. What am I supposed to do as a writer to respond to the prompt? [Use the power verbs and key details you underlined to clarify explicit directions.] I need to writea multi-paragraph essay that argues/proves whether use of digital media helps improve or interferes with students’ development of literacy skills.
2. Are there clues in the prompt that will help me organize my paper? ongoing debate, reading skills declining while demands of college and career reading are unchanged, what is reading in digital age, skills helped or hindered by digital media use I can outline problem, then explain the kind of reading students have to do using digital media, then prove my claim with reasons.
3. What content am I expected to cover in this paper? I need to address how students use reading and writing to engage with digital media, and whether it is making them better at reading and writing.
4. Does the prompt tell me to focus on a specific text? There is no text identified in the prompt for me to write about.
5. Does the prompt require me to use sources? If so, what kinds of sources should I use? The prompt offers no guidance as to sources I can use. I might do some research to cite experts in literacy/reading skills.
6. What is my Role as a writer? I am writing as a student with experience using digital media; I need to use academic voice and formal tone because this is academic writing.
7. Who is my Audience? My teacher and possibly my peers will read this essay.
8. What are the Task, writing Mode, and Purpose for this assignment? What do I know about this type of writing? Task: write a multi-paragraph essay. Mode: Argumentative essay.Purpose: to convince audience that my claim about how using digital media is affecting students’ reading and writing is valid.
Since this is argumentative writing, I have to make a claim and provide persuasive reasons supported by relevant and sufficient evidence to prove my claim is valid. Argumentative writing also usually includes counterclaims, so I will need bring up opposing arguments and either refute/disprove them, or make concessions then offer rebuttal to show why my points are stronger.
9. What are some key words I should use in my response? digital tools, digital media, 21st Century, Common Core Standards, literacy skills, declining reading skills, demands of college and career reading, hindered
Independent Practice:
Steps for Deconstructing Writing Prompts:
- Read through the prompt a few times.
- Analyze and annotate the prompt: 1) circle the power verbs that indicate what you will need to DO, 2) underline key details that follow the verbs to clarify the task, and 3) count and number the different tasks within the prompt so you can check that you have addressed all parts of the prompt.
- Answer the Guiding Questions for Deconstructing a Writing Prompt for each prompt to check your understanding and prepare you for responding to the prompt. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.
PROMPT #1:How does Homer portray the relationship between gods and men in The Odyssey? Write a multi-paragraph essay in which you describe and evaluate the roles that Greek gods play in human life as revealed through Homer’s famous epic.
PROMPT #2: Odysseus is a Greek hero and a friend to many of the Greek gods. He is also the captain of his men aboard ship and king to these men from Ithaca who follow him to war. In your opinion, is Homer’s protagonist a good or a bad leader? Write a multi-paragraph essay in which you identify the qualities that characterize good leaders, and analyze several examples in which Odysseus demonstrates or fails to demonstrate good leadership in order to prove whether Odysseus is a good leader in The Odyssey.
PROMPT #3: One of the most important cultural values in the Odyssey is that of xenia, a Greek concept encompassing the generosity and courtesy shown to those who are far from home. Why might hospitality have held more significance in Homer’s time than it does in today’s world? How is hospitality established as a key value in the epic?
Guiding Questions for Deconstructing a Writing Prompt:
1. What am I supposed to do as a writer to respond to the prompt? [Use the power verbs and key details you underlined to clarify explicit directions.]
2. Are there clues in the prompt that will help me organize my paper?
3. What content am I expected to cover in this paper?
4. Does the prompt tell me to focus on a specific text?
5. Does the prompt require me to use sources? If so, what kinds of sources should I use?
6. What is my Role as a writer?
7. Who is my Audience?
8. What are the Task, writing Mode, and Purpose for this assignment? What do I know about this type of writing?
9. What are some key words I should use in my response?