The document provides instructions for analyzing writing prompts on standardized tests. It advises the reader to: 1) Highlight in green what the prompt is asking them to do. 2) Highlight in pink how the prompt is asking them to do it. 3) Determine that the sample prompt is asking them to decide if field trips are a good use of taxpayer money and to write a letter explaining their decision while considering past experiences and lessons learned from field trips.

1. Reading the Prompt This is a two part strategy . First, determine what it is the question (the State) is asking you to do. Next, determine how the question (the State) asking you to do it.

2. Using a Highlighter You will be offered highlighters when taking the test. Take them, preferably two, in two different colors. One color will highlight what the state is asking you to do. (For the purposes of this lesson, let’s pretend it’s a green highlighter.) The other will highlight specifically how the state is asking you to do it. (For the purposes of this lesson, pretend it’s a pink highlighter.)

3. Directions Carefully read the prompt on the next slide. Determine what the state is asking you to do ( Highlight it in green .) Determine how the state is asking you to do it. ( Highlight it in pink .)

4. Read this carefully and remember the format. Your School Board is considering the idea of banning all field trips, using taxpayer money. Write a letter to the board members explaining why this is or is not a good idea. Be sure to include past field trip experiences, lessons learned, and whether or not these experiences are valuable to one’s education.

5. What would you highlight? The state is asking you to decide whether or not you believe tax paid field trips are a good idea. The state is asking you to write a letter . You will make your decision based on considering the following: Past field trip experiences, past lessons, the value of these lessons.

6. Review Carefully read the prompt. Determine what the State of Ohio is asking you to do. Highlight this in green . Determine how the State of Ohio is asking you to do it. Highlight this in pink . You’re ready to learn how to organize your response. Click on the menu button that says “The Response.”