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Writing Guidelines

Prewriting ■ Getting Ready to Write

Start by analyzing the prompt using the PAST strategy:

■ Purpose: Why am I writing? To explain? To compare?

■ Audience: Who will read my writing?

■ Subject: What topic should I write about?

■ Type: What form will my writing take?

Planning Your Writing

Choose a specific topic and decide how you want to write about it (your focus). Form a quick list identifying the facts, reasons, examples, or explanations you will use to support your focus.