Lesson 7 of 8
How to Answer a Paragraph Writing Prompt
To answer a writing prompt, brainstorm first, pick the idea you can say the most about, and make sure your topic sentence answers the prompt before you build the rest.
Key idea: brainstorm first, then make sure your topic sentence answers the prompt.
- A prompt is a sentence or two that tells you what to write about.
- Brainstorm for two minutes. List every answer you can think of. Don't judge the list.
- Pick the one you can say the most about. Can you name a specific example and a detail right now? If not, pick another.
- Check your topic sentence against the prompt. A paragraph can stay on its own topic and still miss the question.
Watch me explain itThe 6:39 to 9:13 section of my full T.E.D.L. video.
The full model
Prompt: Write about your favorite pastime.
TMaking pizza is my favorite pastime because my great-grandfather taught me how to make pizza when I was a kid.
EFor example, I make pizza three times a week and I usually make pepperoni, spinach, and supreme.
DI usually share with my friends and family when they come over for potluck dinners. We host every Friday. But don't be surprised if I eat the whole pie myself.
LSo if you do not know how to make pizza, you should ask me to show you how.
Round 1: Does it answer the prompt?
Prompt: Write about your favorite pastime.
My uncle is the funniest person in my family. When I was eight, he taught me to play chess at his kitchen table. He always made silly voices for the pieces, and he let me win just often enough to keep me coming back. Every holiday, I still look forward to seeing him most.
Round 2: Pick the strongest choice
One student's brainstorm. Which pastime will make the strongest paragraph?
Put your paragraph together
Your sentences from Lessons 3 to 6 are below, joined into one paragraph. Read it out loud, then edit anything that sounds off.
Check it:
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Take the free 12-minute English test. It ends with a short paragraph, and I read every one and follow up with what I noticed.