The document outlines an ABC+D strategy for writing on-demand essays: 1. "Attack the prompt" - unpack, circle verbs, and rewrite the prompt's tasks. 2. "Brainstorm possible answers" - generate ideas in the order of the tasks. 3. "Choose the order of your response" - number the best ideas and cut others. 4. "Detect errors before turning in the draft" - carefully proofread using various strategies.

1. On-Demand writing
ABC +D Strategy

2. ABC +D Strategy
Attack the prompt
Brainstorm possible answers
Choose the order of your response
Detect errors before turning the draft in

3. Attack the prompt
• Unpack the Prompt:
• The first half of the prompt is usually a “warm-up”
• The actual question is usually in the second part.
• Attack the Prompt:
• Cross out the words “Write an essay.” We know the objective is to
write. Reducing words helps reduce distractions.
• Circle any words that ask you to do something. Circle active verbs
like discuss, share, describe, support. The prompt may ask you to do
more than one thing, so this helps you to get clear about the number
of tasks you are being assigned.
• Draw an arrow from each circled word to its object, what it
specifically tells you to do.
• Under the prompt, rewrite and number the circled words. Next to
each verb, rewrite what the word asks you to do.

4. Attack the prompt
Taking a good look at ourselves is a useful thing to do. In
this essay we want you to look at your strengths. Decide on one of
your strengths as the topic for this essay.
Write an essay in which you explain what you think is one
of your most significant strengths. Explain why you think that
strength is important by showing how that strength helped you in
several instances.
1. Explain – most significant strength
2. Explain – why that strength is important
3. Show – how it helped, in several instances

5. Brainstorm possible
answers
Brainstorm in the order of your numbered items.
Brainstorm:
1st layer of the prompt: Make a topic choice
2nd layer of the prompt: Why important
3rd layer of the prompt : Supporting details (instances)
1. Explain – most significant strength
2. Explain – why that strength is important
3. Show – how it helped, in several
instances
B
Intelligence
Trustworthiness
Reliability
Open-mindedness
Creativity

6. Brainstorm possible
answers
1. Explain – most significant strength
2. Explain – why that strength is important
3. Show – how it helped, in several instances
B
Fun Life
• Interesting hobbies
• Creative friends
• Travel to unusual
places
Intelligence
Trustworthiness
Reliability
Open-mindedness
Creativity
Solve Problems
Teaching
• Reach students who can’t
speak English
• Reach students with poor
behaviors
• Make learning more fun &
Creativity
interesting
• Raise money for training trip
• Find inexpensive, temporary place
to stay
• Alternative treatments for health
issues
Self-Expression
• Artistic projects
• Deal w/ difficult emotions
• Sort out my thoughts &
beliefs

7. Choose the order of
your response
• Decide what goes 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc. Number the sections
of your brainstorming.
• Decide what parts of your brainstorming get cut (do
not make it into the draft). Cross out parts.

8. Choose the order of
your response
1
Fun Life
• Interesting hobbies
• Creative friends
• Travel to unusual
places
Teaching
• Reach students who can’t
speak English
• Reach students with poor
behaviors
• Make learning more fun &
interesting
Creativity
3
Solve Problems
• Raise money for training trip
• Find inexpensive, temporary place
to stay
• Alternative treatments for health
issues
2
Self-Expression
• Artistic projects
• Deal w/ difficult emotions
• Sort out my thoughts &
beliefs

9. Detect errors before
turning the draft in
• You MUST reread your essay carefully before turning it in.
• Check for thesis statement (& rephrased thesis), topic sentences
and summary statements. TEST your paragraphs.
• Use the STAR revision strategy.
• Read each sentence separately, backwards, to check for sentence
structure. Poor sentence structure will kill your essay!

10. ABC +D Strategy
Attack the prompt
Brainstorm possible answers
Choose the order of your response
Detect errors before turning the draft in