RAFT Strategy

Read the following prompt. What is the TYPE?

What are the advantages of earning your own money to purchase something special? Explain the advantages using specific details and examples in your response.

• Narrative

• Expository

• Persuasive

• Expository AND Persuasive

Read the following prompt. What is the FORMAT?

Some schools have a program that pairs older students with younger students. The older students are available to assist the younger students. How would this program help both the older and the younger students? Explain the effects of such a program on the students involved.

• 5 Paragraph Essay

• Letter

• Outline

• Thesis Statement

Read the following prompt. What is the ROLE?

If you could make a significant change to the structure or appearance of your school, what would it be? Identify the change you would make, and explain why you would make it.

• To entertain by telling a story about my school.

• To inform about a change I would make to my school's appearance

• To persuade my principal to paint my school different colors

• To write a letter to a construction company asking them to change the appearance of my school

Read the following prompt. What is the AUDIENCE?

Studies have shown that people who take short breaks throughout the day to do light, outdoor exercise are more productive than those who do not. Use specific details and examples to convince your principal whether students should have similar breaks during the school day.

• SOL Scorers

• My principal

• Mr. Shields

• Mrs. Dattilio's cat, Stinkles

Read the following prompt. What is the TYPE?

Your school is considering making a change to the dress code. What is one change that you would recommend, and why is it important? Use specific details and examples to justify this change.

• narrative

• expository

• persuasive

• a mix of expository and persuasive

Read the following prompt. What is the TYPE?

An old proverb says honesty is the best policy. Sometimes, however, honesty might hurt a person’s feelings. Explain why you either agree or disagree with being honest at all times. Use specific details and examples to convince others to support your position.

• narrative

• expository

• persuasive

• a mix of expository and persuasive

Read the following prompt. What is the AUDIENCE?

Many schools have partnerships with local companies and organizations that allow students to explore certain professions. Write a letter to the manager of a local workplace that performs the type of work you would like to pursue. Convince the employer to allow you to visit. Include details about why you chose that workplace and the specific job.

• an employer

• SOL scorers

• a principal

• Mrs. Dattilio's hermit crabs

Read the following prompt. What is the FORMAT?

Many schools have partnerships with local companies and organizations that allow students to explore certain professions. Write a letter to the manager of a local workplace that performs the type of work you would like to pursue. Convince the employer to allow you to visit. Include details about why you chose that workplace and the specific job.

• 5 paragraph essay

• a letter (written in paragraph form)

• a list of reasons

• 1 paragraph

Read the following prompt. What is the ROLE?

Some people think that schools should offer only nutritious drinks such as white milk, water, and natural fruit juice. Do you agree or disagree with this policy? Use specific details and examples to convince your principal to accept your position.

• To entertain by telling a story about the time you drank 15 Mountain Dews

• To inform the reader about the nutritional facts of juice

• To persuade the reader that schools should or should not offer healthy drinks

• To explain to the reader why you don't drink water

Read the following prompt. What is the TYPE?

Your principal has decided that all students must participate in at least one extracurricular activity. For example, students could participate in sports, work on the yearbook, or serve on the student council. Do you agree or disagree with this decision? Use specific details and examples to convince others to support your position.

• narrative

• expository

• persuasive

• graphic novel