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R.A.F.T. Writing Assignments
Effective writing assignments enable students to write fluently and purposefully for an
audience. R.A.F.T. can help you identify and incorporate the elements of an effective
writing assignment. The R.A.F.T. strategy engages students in explaining what they know
about a topic and then elaborate.
What is it?
• Role of the writer
o Helps the writer decide on point of view and voice.
• Audience for the piece of writing
o Reminds the write that he must communicate ideas to someone else.
o Helps writer determine content and style.
• Format of the material
o Helps the writer organize ideas and employ the conventions of format,
such as letters, interviews, and story problems.
• Topic of writing
o Helps the writer focus on the main ideas.
Steps in the Process:
1. Think about the concepts or processes that you want students to learn as they
read a selected passage. Consider how writing in an interesting way may
enhance students' understanding of the topic.
2. Brainstorm possible roles students could assume in their writing.
3. Decide who the audience would be as well as the format for writing.
4. After students have completed the task (i.e., reading, video, discussion, etc.),
identify the role, audience, format, and topic (R.A.F.T.) for the writing task. Allow
for structured choice from among the various components.
Strategy Adaptations:
• Vary the audience for the product (i.e., R.A.F.T. where students choose their
Audience – such as a class presentation or an outside audience such as a
school club or local organization).
• Let students choose a perspective from which they work (i.e., R.A.F.T. where
students choose their Role).
• Allow students to show what they know through a lens of interest (i.e., R.A.F.T.
where students choose the Topic).
• Allow students to choose their product or performance (i.e., R.A.F.T. where
students choose the Format, such as a note home, tweet, or cartoon with
caption).