Students enjoy the sunshine while free-floating their ideas onto paper, using the RAFTS prompt. Empathy with natural objects and life forms is encouraged as they seek a role or vantage point from which to express their ideas (R) to a particular audience (A) by way of a particular format (F) on a nature topic (T) under study. The "S" that keeps their writing buoyant is a Strong (S) Verb.
R.A.F.T.S. is a writing assignment designing strategy to help students writing "float." It enables the teacher or the student to design workable, varied writing prompts for a multitude of creative writing purposes.
What is a "float?" - any piece of writing that floats from the R.A.F.T.S. strategy.
R.A.F.T.S. supports writing by supplying:
- a role from which to do the writing. The role may be as intimate as self or as remote as that of an inanimate object. Roles should be chosen from those that exist within the realms of the real or vicarious experience of the student.
- an audience for whom the writing is intended. Students need to write for audiences other than the teacher. The audiences for student writing may range from self to peers to the general public. Variation in audiences causes the student to vary the form and the level of the language used to express meaning.
- a format in which to write. Students need to experiment with a variety of formats. Writing formats should include typical school writing formats, but can also include as many type of "real life" writing as possible.
- a topic about which to write. Topics should relate to the role and audiences selected.
- a strong verb which sets the tone for a piece of writing. This strong verb also directs the student in Vocabulary choice.
The assignment designing elements can be arranged in the following frame:
As a (role) write a (format) to (audience) using (strong verb) about (topic).
Sample of "Rafts" Objectives: