WRITING PROMPTS
If you are getting ready to tackle a writing prompt, it is important that you have already read the book. If you are not sure how well you grasped the novel, work on the study guide before you move on to this section.
In each of the following writing prompts, you will be given the following information: |  |
WRITING PROMPT #1
Pretend you are Taunia Crenshaw. Write a diary entry that she may have written on the night Mr. Vance visited the Hawkins' residence. Think about what might have been on her mind that night. Here's something to get you started: She has admitted that she loves her boyfriend. Earlier that day, she thought there was a good chance that she could be losing him if his meeting went well. Even though that was true, she still did everything she could to help him get what he wanted. What else can you add to that? What did she foresee happening next? What did she foresee happening with her mom's new love interest? How did she feel about that? You can go any logical direction you would like with this question. You may use some of the ideas I've give you, or you can choose a completely different direction to take your composition.
(F) a diary entry
(A) herself, probably years later when reliving her childhood
(T) her life over the past day or so, thoughts about what will happen in the near future
(P) writing to entertain
Practice identifying the four parts of a writing prompt even when they are not isolated for you. 
(F) FORM - what type of writing you will be composing (news article, feature story, essay, monologue, business letter, friendly letter, etc.)
(A) AUDIENCE - the person or the people that you are planning to have read your composition
(T) TOPIC - what your composition is about
(P) PURPOSE - why you are writing this compositon, your goal while composing your thoughts (writing to inform, writing to persuade, writing to entertain, writing to explain, etc.)
WRITING PROMPT #2
Pretend that you're Prince Hawkins. Write a letter that he may have written to his mother, telling her how he feels about her, and the decisions that she made. Tell her about his life and his father's life over the past five years. Tell her about the opportunities before you now. Tell her about what's going on in you and your father's social lives. Tell her anything you think Prince might want to include in his letter. Also, feel free to ask her any questions you feel Prince might want answered.
(F) a friendly letter (be sure to include all five of its components)
(A) Janice Hawkins
(T) everything Janice has missed by abandoning her family
(P) writing to inform
Practice identifying the four parts of a writing prompt even when they are not isolated for you.
