ABC

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=**ABCs (and D) of On-Demand Writing**=

**D**etect errors before turning the draft in

 * Attack the prompt**

example prompt:

//By the time students enter high school, they have learned about many moments in history that have influenced our world today. Think about a moment n history you studied and consider its importance. Write a composition in which you discuss a moment in history. Share its importance in today's world. Be sure to support the moment with details and examples.//

1. Cross out the words "Write a composition" in the prompt. We do not need these words because we already know our purpose for being here. Crossing these words out helps us prune the prompt, thus reducing the chances of becoming distracted. 2. Circle any word that asks you to do something. (In this prompt students would circle "discuss," "share," and "support." This immediately reinforces the notion that the prompt is asking for three things, not just one. This helps aboid the problem some students have when they only partially answer the prompt.) 3. Draw an arrow from each circled word (those words that tell you to do something) to what it specifically tells you to do. (For example, students should draw an arrow from the word "discuss" to the words "moment in history"). 4. Under the prompt, rewrite and number the circled words. Next to each word, rewrite what the word asks you to do. This now serves as your prompt-there is no need to look at the entire prompt anymore.

Recognizing that the prompt was asking her to do three things, Erika began her mapping by brainstorming in the same order she numbered the prompt when she attacked it. She started by brainstorming moments in history. In one minute she generated the following topics: the September 11 attacks, the Holocaust, the Declaration of Independence, the Iraq War, and World War II. After completing this brainstorm, Erika selected a moment to write about (in this example, she chose the September 11 attacks). After choosing her topic, Erika began brainstorming the second layer of the prompt-why this event is still important today. Erika was then ready for the third layer of her brainstorm: adding supporting details to illustrate why this event is still important today.
 * Brainstorm Possible Answers**

Students will create a short outline of the order they would like to tackle each part of the prompt and how they will organize their response.
 * Choose the Order of Your Response**

Students MUST proofread their responses before they hand them in. Too often students will go through the entire ABC process and turn in an essay with simple errors. These can and should be avoided with a quick proofread.
 * Detect Errors Before Turning the Draft In**

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