On-Demand Writing

A guide to prewriting and scoring

Where do I start?

S P A M

Prewriting using SPAM

• What is my SITUATION?

• What is my PURPOSE?

• Who is my AUDIENCE?

• What is my MODE?

Example SPAMSituation: Not only do games have rules, but there are

also rules of respect and safety at home and at school. These rules help everyone understand what to do, how and when to do the activities, and how to be safe. Think

of a time when you needed to know the rules for an activity. What happened? Why were the rules important? Could someone else learn from your experience? Your

school newspaper is running a series of first-person articles about lessons students have learned.

Writing Task: In an article for your school newspaper, tell about a time when knowing the rules was important.

Example SPAM

• What is my Purpose? – To inform others about an experience I had

where knowing the rules was important Situation: Not only do games have rules, but there are also rules

of respect and safety at home and at school. These rules help everyone understand what to do, how and when to do the

activities, and how to be safe. Think of a time when you needed to know the rules for an activity. What happened? Why were the

rules important? Could someone else learn from your experience? Your school newspaper is running a series of first-

person articles about lessons students have learned.

Writing Task: In an article for your school newspaper, tell about a time when knowing the rules was important.

Example SPAM

• Who is my Audience?– Other students at your school

Situation: Not only do games have rules, but there are also rules of respect and safety at home and at school. These rules help

everyone understand what to do, how and when to do the activities, and how to be safe. Think of a time when you needed to know the rules for an activity. What happened? Why were the

rules important? Could someone else learn from your experience? Your school newspaper is running a series of first-

person articles about lessons students have learned.

Writing Task: In an article for your school newspaper, tell about a time when knowing the rules was important.

Example SPAM

• What is my Mode?– Newspaper Article

Situation: Not only do games have rules, but there are also rules of respect and safety at home and at school. These rules help

everyone understand what to do, how and when to do the activities, and how to be safe. Think of a time when you needed to know the rules for an activity. What happened? Why were the

rules important? Could someone else learn from your experience? Your school newspaper is running a series of first-

person articles about lessons students have learned.

Writing Task: In an article for your school newspaper, tell about a time when knowing the rules was important.

Scoring Your Writing

• Content:– Purpose– Audience– Idea development/characteristics of the genre

Purpose

• Why you are writing

• Did you inform others about a time in your life when knowing the rules was important?

• How well did you stick to this focus?

• Example: “A time in my life when knowing the rules was important was my first few days of high school…”

Audience

• Who you are writing to

• Did you write your article for other students at your school?

• Example: “Fellow students, I believe that you need to know a few of the important “hidden” rules for entering high school at CCHS.”

Idea Development/Genre

• Did you support each of your rules with details, explanation, and a story about your experience?

• Example: “One rule I wish I had known when entering high school is that freshmen do not talk to seniors. As a freshman, I was a little on the shy side. However, on the second day of school I decided to be bold and brave. I approached a group of senior boys, some of whom I did actually know, put on my biggest smile, and said “Hey guys, what’s up?” To my horror, all I received in return were a few forced smiles and typical male head nods. I hadn’t bothered to think about what I would say past that first line. Now the awkwardness hung in the air, and I knew why none of my friends had agreed with this bright idea. If only I had known the rules!”

Idea Development/Genre

• Did you write in the correct mode/format?

• Article format: – Columns – Headline and subheadings, if needed– Concise and to the point – Have an introduction and conclusion – Paragraphs with topic sentences and support

Structure

• Organization

• Transitions

• Sentence Structure

Organization

• Does your article have 3 main points, an introduction, and a conclusion?

• Did you divide your article into paragraphs?

Transitions

• Did you use words like next, then, however, and in conclusion to help your writing move smoothly?

• Example: “The second rule I wish I had known for being a freshman is that taking notes in class is critical to passing tests.”

Sentence Structure

• Are your sentences short and choppy or do they vary in length and complexity?

• Example: “Not only does taking notes help ensure success, but studying also seems to be a key factor.”

Conventions

• Grammar

• Word choice

• Correctness

Grammar

• Did you use correct grammar?

• Illegal examples: ain’t, u, gonna, etc.

Word Choice

• Are your words appropriate for your audience and your purpose?

• Do you use enriched language to make your article seem intelligent and well-informed?

• Example: “Nearly two-thirds of our student population agreed that the junior year of high school is the most challenging.”

Correctness

• Check your:– Capitalization– Punctuation – Spelling

Planning your way to GREAT writing

• 5 paragraph format

1. Introduction/State the point you are making

2. Idea one

3. Idea two

4. Idea three

5. Conclusion/Restate the point you are making

• Use transitions!

Conclusion

Reason/Idea Three

Reason/Idea One

Reason/Idea Two

Introduction

My freshman year of high schoolwas a time when knowing the rules

would have come in handy.

Conclusion

Rule 3: Joining a club helps you get into college.

Rule 1: Freshmen don’t talk to seniors.

Rule 2: You have to take notes in class to pass tests.

Intro.

My freshman year of high school was a time when knowing the rules

would have come in handy.