Ideas

1
Ideas
2

• Select an idea (topic)
• Narrowing the idea (focus)
• Elaborating on the idea (development)
• Discovering the best information to convey the
  idea (detail)

3
Narrowing the idea (focus)
R.A.F.T.S.
4
R.A.F.T.S.

• Role of the writer
• Helps the writer decide on point of view and
  voice

5
R.A.F.T.S.

• Audience for the piece of writing
• Reminds the writer that he/she must communicate
  ideas to someone else helps the writer determine
  content and style

6
R.A.F.T.S.

• Format of the material
• Helps the writer organize ideas and employ
  format conventions for letters, interviews, story
  problems, and other kinds of writing

7
R.A.F.T.S.

• Topic or subject of the piece of writing
• Helps the writer to zero in on the main idea and
  narrow the focus of writing

8
R.A.F.T.S.

• Strong verb
• Directs the writer to the writing purpose, for
  example to persuade, analyze, create, predict,
  compare, defend, or evaluate, and thus direct the
  action of the writing

9
Example
Role
You are a kidney in the human body. Write a
letter to your body to explain what you need to
stay healthy and why the host will be better off
if you ARE and STAY in tip-top condition.
Audience
Form
R.A.F.T.S.
Topic
Strong verb
10
Example (cont.)

• Dear Human,
• My twin kidney and I are writing you to make
  sure we have a long and happy relationship
  together. Yes, there are two of us, and we
  really help you out a lot every day. We spend
  much of our day cleaning out your blood and
  making sure that no bad stuff goes in your
  system. We are working hard even when you are
  sleeping, so it is important that you take care
  of us.
• Its possible for you to survive with just one
  of us but its not a very good idea if you can
  avoid it. Here are some things we do best
  together.
• Keep the blood balanced with chemicals so you
  dont get too much of some things and not enough
  of others
• Keep your blood pressure at a good rate so your
  heart can work well together

11

• Keep making blood cells so oxygen gets to your
  brain
• Keep calcium at the right level so you have
  strong bones
• We work like a filter and all filters can get
  clogged now and again. You dont want us to stop
  working, so eat healthy. You should eat lots of
  fruits and vegetable so we can have good vitamins
  and minerals to work with. We need lots of
  water, too. We clean the blood 20 times a day,
  so we need water to help us do a good job.
• So, human, please remember that even though we
  arent very big, we are important to you feeling
  good every day. Take good care of us, and well
  take good care of you.
• Your friends,
• The Kidneys

A sixth graders R.A.F.T.S. example