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Strategies of Development Writing Prompts

Narration and Description:

 

AP Style Prompt:

In her short story, “Eleven”, Author Sandra Cisneros presents the idea that it is our experiences—not our age—that represents our emotional evolution. Examine the extent to which Cisneros’ philosophy is true in a well-written essay using appropriate evidence from your reading, experience, or observations to support your argument.

 

Assignment: Write a thesis and a one paragraph response

 

Strategy to utilize: narration and description  

  • Use the prompt to create a thesis

  • In your paragraph, include the five senses (description)

  • make sure the story you tell is ultimately working towards answering the prompt question: your position should be evident through your story.

Compare/Contrast:

 

AP Writing Prompt:

In his essay, “Two Views of the Mississippi,” Mark Twain asserts that as we become familiar with something, it loses its grace, beauty, and poetry. Examine the extent to which this philosophy is true by discussing a subject that you have become more or less familiar with through the years. Use your personal experience to support your argument.

Assignment: 3-4 paragraphs (intro, how you used to feel, how you feel now, conclusion)

Strategy to utilize: compare/contrast

Other things to include…

  • Mimic the style of Mark Twain

  • Narration: tell us this story through your unique perspective and voice

  • A metaphor/analogy that that helps us understand your ideas

  • Anchor your compare/contrast in description.

  • 1-1.5 hand-written pages OR one typed page, double-spaced, printed.

Process Analysis:

 

AP Writing Prompt:

American Psychologist Carl Rogers once said that “the good life is a process, not a state of being. It is a direction, not a destination.” In other words, true happiness and fulfillment can be found in the process of something we love, not just the end result. Examine the extent to which Rogers’s philosophy is true by using your own experiences to support your position.

Assignment: 2-3 paragraphs

Strategy to utilize: process analysis (and some narration/description)

Other things to include…

  • some narrative aspects (the easiest way to do this is to use a personal story as an introduction to your topic)

  • a description of the outcome

  • some kind of definition or equipment list 

  • make sure your steps are organized in a logical fashion

  • **at the top of your paper somewhere, note who your intended audience is

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