Writing assessments can be overwhelming for students, especially with the pressure to meet academic standards. However, with the right approach, students can excel and become confident writers. Hit the Prompt by Ms. Lig is an excellent guide for educators and parents to break down the writing process into manageable steps, giving students a clear path to success.
In this blog, let’s explore some of the most crucial steps to building a solid foundation for improving students’ writing skills. To access the complete guide to mastering state writing assessments, be sure to get your hands on the book.
Step 1: Break Down the Prompt
One of the biggest challenges for students during a writing assessment is understanding the prompt. The first step is to carefully read the prompt and identify the keywords or phrases that highlight what the task requires. Students should focus on these keywords to stay on track and ensure their response addresses the question fully.
Example from the Book: Imagine the prompt is, “Explain how space debris occurs and the problems it causes.” Students should highlight or circle essential words like “explain,” “space debris,” and “problems.” By breaking down the task, they know exactly what the essay should cover, avoiding the risk of going off-topic.
This technique is particularly useful for students who might feel overwhelmed by longer prompts. By isolating the key terms, they can stay focused and organize their thoughts around the specific requirements of the task.
Step 2: Identify the Type of Writing
Once students understand the prompt, the next critical step is identifying what kind of writing is required. Is it a narrative where students need to tell a story? Is it an informative essay that requires clear explanations? Or perhaps it’s an opinion piece where students need to argue a point of view? Identifying the type of writing early on helps students structure their responses more effectively.
Example from the Book: If the prompt asks, “Write a story about a day in the life of a dolphin,” it’s a narrative task. Students should focus on creating characters, settings, and plot—essential elements of storytelling. Alternatively, if the prompt says, “Explain the causes and effects of space debris,” it’s an informative essay requiring a clear explanation with facts and details.
Knowing the type of writing not only ensures students meet the assessment criteria but also gives them confidence in how to organize their thoughts and ideas.
Step 3: Choose the Right Strategy
The third crucial step is all about selecting the most effective strategy for the type of writing. Different types of writing require different approaches. By choosing the right strategy, students can approach their writing in a more organized and efficient manner.
Below are three key strategies introduced in the book. To learn these strategies in detail, make sure to read the book Hit The Prompt by Ms.Lig.
Plot Elements Strategy: This strategy is designed for narrative writing. It helps students focus on characters, setting, and plot development. For example, when writing a story, they should think about who the characters are, where the story takes place, and what happens during the plot.
Boxes and Bullets Strategy: This strategy works well for informative writing. It helps students organize their thoughts by writing the main idea in a box and listing supporting details as bullet points. For instance, if the prompt is about space debris, the main idea might be “Causes of Space Debris,” with bullet points like “old satellites” and “rocket parts” as supporting details.
OREO Strategy: This is ideal for opinion writing. The acronym stands for Opinion, Reason, Example, and Opinion. Students start by stating their opinion, back it up with reasons, provide examples, and then restate their opinion for a strong conclusion.
These first three steps provide a solid framework for tackling state writing assessments. By learning how to break down the prompt, identify the type of writing, and select the right strategy, students can approach their writing tasks with greater clarity and confidence.
To discover the remaining steps—like organizing tasks, crafting an engaging title, and effectively using provided texts—check out Hit the Prompt by Ms Lig, written by Mrs Ruby Hardin Liggins. This book is a must-have resource for educators, parents, and students looking to master the art of state writing assessments.