Writing on Demand

Language ArtsA review of the

RAFT technique

What is writing on demand?0Responding to a writing prompt that is given to you

0Writing in a limited time

0Writing on demand assessments give you an opportunity to demonstrate your writing skills!

Tips for Success

0Careful analysis of the writing prompt is important to ensure your writing is on-task.

0Think about RAFT to make sure you have everything covered.

R is for Role

0Think about who you are in this piece of writing.

0Are you…0A son/daughter?0A concerned citizen?0An expert at ___________?

0Make sure you are using vocabulary and techniques that are consistent with your role.

A is for Audience0 The audience is who you are addressing in this piece of

writing.

0 No—the audience isn’t always “your teacher”—just because your teacher will be reading your piece of writing.

0 Your audience could be…0 Your classmates0 The mayor0 Your parents0 Small children

F is for Format

0The format is the type of writing required.

0Sometimes the format is specifically given and sometimes it is left open.

0Examples of format…0Letter0Essay0Story

T is for Topic0The topic is the content—what are you writing about?

What are you trying to accomplish?

0Think about the purpose of your writing.

0The purpose will be one or more of the following…0To persuade 0To share your opinion0To explain0To narrate (tell a story)0To describe

Example Writing Prompt

0Writing situation: Your school publishes a monthly newsletter. For the February issue, your school would like to focus on the meaning of friendship.

0Writing Directions: Write an article for the newsletter about the meaning of friendship. Be sure to include some of your personal experiences or examples from what you have read/seen.

Key Words

0Writing situation: Your school publishes a monthly newsletter. For the February issue, your school would like to focus on the meaning of friendship.

0Writing Directions: Write an article for the newsletter about the meaning of friendship. Be sure to include some of your personal experiences or examples from what you have read/seen.

Have you identified RAFT?

Identifying RAFT

0Role---In this prompt, you are writing as yourself because the prompt asks you to share YOUR personal experiences.

0Audience—The audience would be classmates, parents and teachers since it’s a school newsletter.

0Format—The format was given when it asked you to write an article.

0Topic—The topic is the meaning of friendship. Your purpose is to share your opinion on this topic.

Your Turn!

0Take a look at the writing prompts on the next slides. 0 Practice identifying RAFT on your own. 0Compare it to the answers provided to check for

understanding.

Writing Prompt 10Writing Situation: Most people can remember a

time when someone did something special for them. Perhaps you were given an opportunity or received something that you really appreciated.

0Writing Directions: Write a letter to someone you appreciate. Tell this person about this time when he/she did something special for you or with you. Be sure to express your gratitude.

Can you identify RAFT?

How did you do?

Role—You are writing as yourself.

Audience—The audience is the person who did something special for you.

Format—The format is a letter.

Topic—Your purpose is to describe the time that you remember and explain how much you appreciate it.

Writing Prompt 20Writing Situation: Because of the risk of accidents, the

province has put into effect a distracted driving law. Drivers must not text, talk on the phone or be otherwise distracted when they are driving. However, the police still ticket many people every month for this offence as some people do not think it’s a big deal.

0Writing Directions: Write a letter to the editor of the newspaper giving your opinion about the distracted driving law. Explain why you think it is a good law or an unfair law.

Can you identify RAFT?

How did you do?

Role—You are writing as yourself, a concerned citizen with a strong opinion on this issue.

Audience—The audience is the editor of the paper and possibly anyone who reads the newspaper if they choose to publish your opinion.

Format—The format is an editorial (like an opinion essay)

Topic—Your purpose is to provide your opinion about the distracted driving law. You might even attempt to persuade others to agree with you.

Writing Prompt 3

0Writing Situation: Many things can interfere with our plans. Sometimes an illness prevents us from doing something we really want to do.

0Writing Directions: Describe a time when you became ill and missed out on doing something you’d really been looking forward to.

How did you do?

Role—You are writing as yourself.

Audience—The audience is not stated so write for a general audience.

Format—The format will be a story or an narrative essay.

Topic—Your purpose is to describe and narrate what happened.

Final Tips0 It is helpful to highlight/underline key words in the

writing prompt to ensure you are addressing the task completely.

0 Keep an eye on the time. You have 45 minutes for the writing so make sure you plan out the information you need to include.

0 Don’t panic—since it’s an “on demand” writing task, you are only expected to produce a first draft—no one expects it to be perfect yet!