When student are presented with writing prompt or assignment, their first task is to read the prompt carefully.
After reading through the prompt the first time, they should ask themselves this question:
What am I being asked to write about?
This is referred to as the TOPIC, often indicated with the letter T=________________. We then ask students to reread the prompt. With the second reading, they should highlight or circle the key words or phrases from the prompt.
We ask student to complete a TAK chart to analyze their prompt. If no audience is specifically indicate in the prompt, we encourage student to list adults. Adults may include teachers, parents, and test graders, and also implies the use of formal, standard English in students' writing.
Flip the TAK prompt over to the backside
Draw a line down the middle from top to bottom
left hand side, create your brainstorm
right hand side complete a T-Chart