I laugh to think about the time my friend Courtney and I tried to create a writing prompt for 11th graders during our student teaching. We started with “In an essay, tell whether Rappacini is a good guy or a bad guy…” We ended up getting some really low-level papers back, way beneath what the students were capable of. Guess what? Our assignment prompt was really low level!
Here is a guide to making smart prompts in order to get smart work back:
CRAFTS Writing Prompts Guide
C- Context
R- Role
A-Audience
F- Format
T- Topic
S- Strong Verb
Example-
Within the novel, Tangerine, by Edward Bloor, the Lake Windsor Downs community has recently experienced muckfires and mosquito infestations. You are the President of the Homeowners Association. In a monthly newsletter to the residents of Lake Windsor Downs, explain what has happened and describe what the association is doing to fix the problems.
C- Lake Windsor Downs community has recently experienced muckfires and mosquito infestations.
R- You are the President of the Homeowners Association.
A- residents of Lake Windsor Downs
F- Newsletter
T- explain what has happened and describe what the association is doing to fix the problems.
S- Explain, Describe
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