Decoding Prompts Practice

You have read “The Sword of Damocles” and “The Eighteenth Camel.” Write an essay that describes how a theme in each story is developed. Use details from both stories to support your response.

What are you being asked to do in this prompt?

• Compare and contrast the theme of two different pieces of fiction

• Analyze how each text separately develops a theme

• Summarize the events of each source and how they are related to one another

• Interpret how the actions of the characters propelled the plots to the same theme

Answer explanation

The key words in the prompt are "describes how a theme in each story is developed". This tells us that we are being asked to write about theme development twice, but not relating the two. The words relate, connect, compare, etc. are not used, meaning that this could be set up as:

Paragraph 1 - Introduction

Paragraph 2 - "The Sword of Damocles" - theme and development

Paragraph 3 - "The Eighteenth Camel" - theme and development

Paragraph 4 - Conclusion

In the passage from Magic Elizabeth, the author creates a vivid setting and two distinct characters, Mrs. Chipley and Sally. Think about the details the author uses to establish the setting and the characters. Write an original story about what happens when Sally arrives at Aunt Sarah’s house. In your story, be sure to use what you have learned about the setting and the characters as you tell what happens next.

What are you being asked to do in this prompt?

• Compare and contrast Mrs. Chipley and Sally's character development

• Create a narrative about the events that would follow from the passage

• Write a narrative about a time in Aunt Sarah's life when she was younger

• Explain how Sally's actions led her to move in with Aunt Sarah using evidence

Answer explanation

The key words in the prompt are "write an original story" and "when Sally arrives at Aunt Sarah's house". This tells us that we are being asked to create a story using the characters and plot circumstances created by the original author. We are EXTENDING them by using our own details. Things to consider:

- Did the original author use dialogue? If yes, then so should you.

- What key traits has Sally shown through her words, actions, interactions, etc?

- How will you resolve the situation to show a theme?

Read the sentence from the text:

"There's such a thing as 'microfossils.' "

Write an essay that analyzes how this idea is developed differently in “Miss Me?” and Croc Fossil Found in Cave.

What are you being asked to do in this prompt?

• Write a story about discovering microfossils from a crocodile

• Compare the similarities and differences between two sources writing about fossils

• Contrast the development of ideas relating to microfossils from both texts

• Analyze the way that "Miss Me?" develops their argument about microfossils

Answer explanation

The key words in the prompt are "write an essay" and "analyzes how this idea is developed differently". This tells us that we are being asked to show how the SAME IDEA (provided in the prompt's quote) was DEVELOPED DIFFERENTLY. You could explore the structures of the text, the language or evidence used, etc. I would structure this as:

Paragraph 1 - Introduction

Paragraph 2 -Difference in Structure (chronological vs. main idea & details)

Paragraph 3 - Difference in Language (1 is logos-heavy; the other has first-hand witness account)

Paragraph 4 - Conclusion

The passage from Wild River is told from Ryan’s point of view. Retell the narrative from Tanner’s point of view. Be sure to include Tanner’s thoughts as the kayak moves down the river. Your narrative should clearly reflect the characterization and setting in the passage.

What are you being asked to do in this prompt?

• Compare and contrast the points of view of Tanner and Ryan

• Create a retelling of the plot events from a different character's point of view

• Create a retelling of the plot events that develop a new theme

• Analyze how each text separately uses first person point of view

Answer explanation

The key words in the prompt are "retell", "Tanner's point of view", and "Tanner's thoughts as the kayak moves...". These key words tell you what to change, as well as which part of the story to focus your attention to. Things to consider include:

-What kind of character was Tanner in Ryan's point of view? Would Tanner see himself the same way?

- What sorts of thoughts/feelings would someone have based on the original story's description of the kayak journey?

You have read passages from the novels The Georges and the Jewels and Black Beauty: The Autobiography of a Horse. Both were written in the first-person point of view. Write an essay in which you compare the way the authors use first-person point of view to develop the characters. Be sure to cite specific examples from both passages.

What are you being asked to do in this prompt?

• Compare and contrast the points of view of two different pieces of fiction

• Analyze how each text separately develops a uses point of view

• Explain and interpret the similarities in point of view to show character

• Interpret how the actions and thoughts of the characters propelled the plot

Answer explanation

The key words in the prompt are "both were written in 1st person point of view" and "compare the use of 1st person POV to develop the characters". This tells us that we are being asked to find similarities only (because of the word COMPARE) and relate it to character development.

This means that this could be set up as:

Paragraph 1 - Introduction

Paragraph 2 - Characterization Through Thoughts About Events (both sources)

Paragraph 3 - Characterization Through Feelings About People (both sources)

Paragraph 4 - Conclusion

In the article, the passage and the video, particular facts are included or avoided depending upon the purpose of the information. Write an essay analyzing how the authors of the passage and the article and the narrator of the video shape the presentation of key information by emphasizing evidence related to their purpose. Use evidence from each source to support your analysis.

What are you being asked to do in this prompt?

• Consider the information presented; then explain why each author made those choices to accomplish their purposes

• Prove the purposes of all three texts using evidence from the sources

• Explain and interpret the similarities in point of view on the common topic

• Interpret why one author left out so much information

Answer explanation

The key words in the prompt are "particular facts are included or avoided" and "analyze... shape the presentation related to their purpose". This means that we are looking for why some sources use certain information and others leave it out to ensure they are showing what they intend to.

This means that this could be set up as:

Paragraph 1 - Introduction

Paragraph 2 - Fact/Detail from 1-2 sources that another doesn't include; explain why this does build some purposes but would detract from others

Paragraph 3 - 2nd Fact/Detail from 1-2 sources that another doesn't include; explain why this does build some purposes but would detract from others

Paragraph 4 - Conclusion

You have watched a video that shows how particular events affect Hanna, the main character. Think about what the video reveals about Hanna’s personality, thoughts, and

relationships with the other characters. Write a story that retells the events in the video, using Hanna as a first-person narrator. Be sure to include details from the video in your story.

What are you being asked to do in this prompt?

• Create a story from Hannah's point of view that includes her feelings towards the video events

• Create a new story about Hanna based on her personality in the video

• Summarize the video using evidence and timestamps (0:50) from the video

• Create a story by adding a new character to Hanna's events

Answer explanation

The key words in the prompt are "retell", "events in the video", and "Hanna's point of view". These key words tell you what to change (the point of view). Things to consider include:

-What kind of character was Hanna in the video?

- What new insight would the audience get into Hanna if she tells the story?

- What sorts of thoughts/feelings would someone have based on the original story's events?