Writing Prompts

  1. Introduction
  2. Prewriting
  3. Writing Sample
  4. Writing Prompts

These prompts are divided into two parts. The first part will help you think of questions and plan an interview which you will conduct.

After you conduct an interview you will use the second part to help you write a three hundred word feature article from your notes.

Your interview and article will focus on describing the hard times of the person you interviewed. Your article must include a specific incident that the person related to you. It must contain direct quotes from your interviewee. And it must contain your own reflections on what you learned about hard times in general.

Read through these instructions. Each time you see an instruction beginning with ">>>" write the information on your paper or in your word processing file.

Part 1: Planning the Interview

  1. Write the names of three or four persons whom you think might be interesting to interview and who might have some tales to tell about "hard times."
  2. Circle the name of the person who is probably the most available and likely to give you a "good" interview.
  3. Write two or three sentences which you can use as you describe this interview project to the person you select, and explain why you chose him or her.
  4. Write a question which will get the person to describe a hard time they experienced in their life.
  5. Write a question which will get them to describe what they did... how they responded or reacted to the situation(s) described.
  6. Write a question which will elicit a description of their feelings then, and their feelings now, about those hard times.
  7. Write a question which will get them to describe the effects of the situations(s) on their lives, and to speculate how their lives may have been different.
  8. Write any other questions you can think of.
  9. Write down when you will plan to conduct this interview.
  10. Share your questions with at least three other students. If you wish, you may revise your own questions based on the ideas you obtain from your classmates.

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Part 2: Drafting your Article

You may find the prompts below helpful as you create your first draft. You may prefer to use a different order than suggested below. Or, you may prefer to develop your article on your own. If you use the guide below, have your interview notes in front of you as you respond to the
prompts.

As you respond to each prompt below, do NOT try and "polish" the article as you go along. This is a time to capture ideas and thoughts. You will reorganize and polish your draft at the end.

  1. Quickly write -- off the top of your head, and for the next 3-5 minutes -- about your interview.
  2. Go back over your "quickwrite" and rewrite the most interesting part, deleting what "doesn't fit."
  3. Does your introduction lead into a direct quote? If so, write the lead sentence plus quote. If not, write a sentence that leads the reader into your best quote and then write the quote.
  4. Write two or three specific details relating to your opening.
  5. Write a sentence which introduces the person you interviewed. Include name, approximate age, and a brief description.
  6. Describe the place, if appropriate, and time described by the person you interviewed -- year and season. Use direct quotes where appropriate. Lead into your direct quotes with scene-setting phrases.
  7. Describe the tone used by the person he or she described the hard times? Was it hushed? Proud? Ashamed? Matter of fact? Explanatory? Preachy?
  8. Describe any emotional reactions displayed during the interview.
  9. If the person's tone revealed his attitude toward life, how did it? Use direct quotes where appropriate.
  10. Re-read what you have written so far. Go back to the beginning and write three possible lead sentences to your article. Later you will choose the best one
  11. Quickwrite (off the top of your head, 3-5 minutes) about hard times in general.
  12. Write about a hard time you experienced.
  13. Discuss what may be good about hard times
  14. Conclude your article with a brief paragraph in which you reflect about what you learned writing this article and what you think about hard times in life.
  15. Go back and revise your article. Move sentences and paragraphs around to improve the flow and clarity of your article. Select the best lead-in sentence.
  16. Count the number of words, and cut or add accordingly.
  17. Create a headline and byline at the top of the article.
  18. Indent your paragraphs, and double space between them.
  19. Proofread for capital letters at the beginning of each sentence and at the beginning of names and places. Check for correct spelling.
  20. Save this article on your disk with a good, descriptive name.
  21. Print out two copies of this article. Keep one, and give the other to your teacher or team leader.

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