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National Behaviour Support ServiceRAFT StrategyAfter Reading -Writing StrategyRAFT StrategyRole-Audience-Format-TopicPurpose of teaching the RAFT strategy:The RAFT strategy (Santa, 1988) can be used across subject areas to help students tounderstand and focus on four critical aspects of writing: the writer’s Role (Are you a journalist? Asolider? A witness? A castle? An engineer? An endangered species? The human heart? - Can bepeople, objects, etc.); the Audience to whom the writer is speaking (Are you writing to a friend?Readers of a newspaper? A local TD? Your dog? A scientist? A museum? - Can be people,objects, etc.); the varied Formats for writing (Is it a letter? A speech? An obituary? A Blog? AnInfographic? A top 10 list?); and the Topic addressed in the writing (What's the subject or thepoint of this piece). Asking students to write from another point of view requires a deeperunderstanding of the topic. Rafts can also be differentiated by learner readiness, interest and/orlearning profile.Explicitly teaching the RAFT strategy:Step 1Explain that all writers need to consider four key components: the role of writer, the audience,the format and topic. Explain to students that they are going to structure their writing aroundthese elements using the RAFT strategy. Display a completed RAFT on the projector or on A3paper and discuss the key elements with students. Identify important ideas or information.Step 2Demonstrate, model and "think aloud" another sample RAFT exercise with the help of theclass (thinking aloud allows students to see what you think by narrating how you think as youuse a strategy). Brainstorm RAFT ideas about a topic.Step 3Divide students into pairs or small groups of three or four to write about a chosen topic from thebrainstormed list. Provide assistance to students as needed. Then have the groups share theircompleted RAFTs with the class. (* RAFTs can also be created where one column is consistentwhile the other columns in the RAFT grid vary. Also use strong verbs – for example instead of‘write’ use verbs such as ‘plead’ or ‘convince’ – as this can help focus the writing and sets thetone of the response).Step 4After students become more proficient with the strategy have them create their own RAFTSbased on topics studied in class.

National Behaviour Support ServiceRAFT StrategyRAFT Example1. Decide which RAFT exercise you want to do. Always read across the chart.2. Look at the 1st column of ROLES. A role is the person you are pretending to be. Selecta role that interests you.3. Read the AUDIENCE that goes along with that role. The AUDIENCE is for whom youare creating your work4. The FORMAT column tells you the way you’ll express your understanding of the topic.FORMAT is the form in which your writing should be presented.5. TOPIC is the last column. The TOPIC tells you what you will be writing/drawing about.The TOPIC is important because it should help you reveal as much as you know aboutthe topic.ROLELeonardo da VinciAUDIENCEPatronsFORMATPainting of Mona LisaEgyptologist/Tour guideTouristTravel brochureOprahTelevision publicTalk showPlantPrimary studentsBlogShakespeareRomeo and Juliet fansPlay ScriptStalinTybaltGeorge OrwellRomeoBook reviewAngry letterMercutioRomeoAdvice ColumnCommaRaphael1st yr studentsRenaissance paintersJob DescriptionArt LessonSafety gogglesCell wallFamilyA student in a scienceclassLetterListWhite blood cellLungsA fractionPercentagesRed blood cellBrainAn equivalent fractionConsumersRomantic letterPersuasive speechA PoemInfographic/AdvertSquare RootA rollercoaster designerWhole NumberAmusement park visitorsLove letterInformativeparagraph/flyerRachel Allen/Mary BerryMozartTV AudienceProspective EmployerScriptJob InterviewNational Behaviour Support ServiceTOPICUrge patrons to buy yourartworkInspire tourists to cometo the ancient EgyptiansitesWomen’s suffrage in the20th centuryThe effects of fertiliserrun offRecreate the ending ofRomeo and JulietReactions to Animal Farm10 things I hate aboutyouConvince Romeo to getover Rosaline and stopmopingUse in sentencesTeach other artists thetechnique of perspectiveSafety in the labExplain why you are themost important cellorganelleI will keep you safeWhy quit smokingHow you are just like meJust look at all the waysyou use me in your livesExplain relationshipExplain how you use thelaws of force and motionto design rollercoastersHow yeast works in breadQualifications as acomposerfrichardson@nbss.ie2

RAFT StrategyRAFT Format IdeasFormat IdeasLetterManualInfographicLove LetterBrochure/LeafletAnimotoComplaint LetterMagazine ArticleCartoonJournal/diarySpeechComic StripNewspaperShort StoryTravel BrochureTV News ReportMenuFlipbookGameInterview QuestionsPodcastSongBiographyAudio RecordingPoemCritiqueRadio AdvertAdvertisementGamePress ReleasePosterBlogTop Ten listDrawingsBlurbAdvice ColumnEmailCVVideoFacebook postProposalRapTwitter postPetitionLimerickText MessageAdvice c NovelLesson izTV AdvertFact FileArtist StatementApplicationExperimentFlyerRole playEssayThank You NoteSurveyDialogueDebateHow to Book/ArticlePosterWebcastNational Behaviour Support Servicefrichardson@nbss.ie3

RAFT StrategyRAFT SheetROLE of theWriter:Format:Audience:Topic:Your RAFT exercise should be at least one page in length and will be marked using the followingcriteria:a. Completed on Time12345b. Writing Appropriate for Audience12345c. Format Followed12345d. Information Accurate12345e. Grammar and Mechanics12345f. Neatness12345g. Creativity12345National Behaviour Support Servicefrichardson@nbss.ie4

RAFT StrategyRAFT Recipe FormRecipe For:Preparation Time:Total TimeIngredients:Directions (steps):Nutritional Information:National Behaviour Support Servicefrichardson@nbss.ie5

RAFT StrategyRAFT Memorandum* A memorandum or memo is a written communication – note, message,announcement, information or noticeTo:From:Date:Re:National Behaviour Support Servicefrichardson@nbss.ie6

RAFT StrategyRAFT Blog FormMY BLOGPOST TITLE ONE GOES HEREARCHIVES:Posted by Wonder xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxFEBRUARYMARCHAPRILMAYJUNERead morePOST TITLE TWO GOES HEREPosted by Wonder xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxRead moreNational Behaviour Support Servicefrichardson@nbss.ie7

RAFT StrategyRAFT Facebook FormHomeFACEBOOKProfileFriendsInbox (1)Username:WallInfoSettingsLog outCharacters name herePhoto Basic informationSex:Current City:Birthday:View photos of me (34)RelationshipStatus:Personal InformationActivities:Interests:Favourite Music:FriendsFavourite TVshows:FavouriteQuotations:About Me:Contact InformationEmail:Current address:Education and WorkSchool/College:National Behaviour Support Servicefrichardson@nbss.ie8

RAFT StrategyRAFT Twitter FormName:UsernameLocation:Bio:Most recent message which can have up to 140 characters. This will takeyou up to about this point on the second line, depending on letters.About 5 minutes ago from webIf you’re planning to keep adding messages as you follow a story, it mightbe useful to start at the bottom of the page and work your way upAbout 2 hours ago from webNational Behaviour Support owingfrichardson@nbss.ie9

RAFT StrategyRAFT Story Board FormNational Behaviour Support Servicefrichardson@nbss.ie10

RAFT StrategyRAFT Story Board FormNational Behaviour Support Servicefrichardson@nbss.ie11

RAFT StrategyRAFT News Article FormTheDAILY RAFTGetting to the Heart of the Matter- since 1882-YOUR HEADLINE/HEADING HEREPicture hereThexxxxxxDAILY RAFTGetting to the Heart of the MatterNational Behaviour Support Service- since 1882-frichardson@nbss.ie12

RAFT StrategyRAFT News Article FormIllustration/photo hereContinue hereStart your writing hereNational Behaviour Support Servicefrichardson@nbss.ie13

RAFT StrategyRAFT Web Page FormNational Behaviour Support Servicefrichardson@nbss.ie14

RAFT StrategyRAFT Text Message FormNational Behaviour Support Servicefrichardson@nbss.ie15

RAFT StrategyRAFT Classified Ad FormNews Announcement or Classified AdvertisementLimited to wordsDate: News Announcement or Classified AdvertisementLimited to wordsDate: National Behaviour Support Servicefrichardson@nbss.ie16

RAFT StrategyRAFT Rubric/ChecklistSTUDENT NAME:5Accuracy4321321321321321Information presented is accurate and issupported with specific details.Comments:5Role4Student stayed in the role assigned.Student took on the role effectively.Comments:5Format4The choice of format was effective for thewriting task.Comments:5Conventions4The writing had no errors in grammar,punctuation, capitalisation or spelling.Comments:5Overall Quality4Your best effort was evident. Your finalproduct is neat and well organised.Comments:Scoring keyGRADE:Assessment guide25-23 A5 Above and Beyond22-20 B4 Meeting Standard19-18 C3 Working to Standard17-15 D2 Developing14 and below F1 IncompleteNational Behaviour Support Servicefrichardson@nbss.ie17

RAFT StrategyRAFT Rubric/ChecklistYou Rock!AlmostPerfect4So-SoOops!213Information iscomplete andaccurate.Information iscomplete andaccurate.You are missinginformation or haveincorrect facts.You have littlecorrect informationrepresented.Information ispresented in aninterestingmanner.Information ispresented in aninteresting mannerbut could havebeen morecreative.You could have beenmore creative in yourpresentation.You writing lackedcreativity.Written work isfree from anygrammatical orspelling errors.One or two errorsare evident in yourwork.Three or more errorsare present in writing.You have manyerrors in yourwriting.National Behaviour Support Servicefrichardson@nbss.ie18

RAFT StrategyStudent Writing ChecklistFeatures of writingDid I do this?YesText levelNoA littleMy title and opening engage the reader’s interest.I have included an effective ending.My ideas are sequenced into paragraphs in order tointerest my reader.The theme and purpose of my writing is clear.I can create characters and relationships throughdescription, dialogue and action.Sentence levelYesNoA littleYesNoA littleYesNoA littleEach paragraph has a topic sentence.I vary my sentences to develop ideas and detail (e.g.when, where) and use simple sentences for effect.I use imagery to develop character, mood and setting.I can use visual and sound effects to create an impact(e.g. alliteration).Word levelMy verbs create impact and add to the effect.I use ‘Wow’ words to create effect.PunctuationI use punctuation correctly.I use speech marks correctly.National Behaviour Support Servicefrichardson@nbss.ie19

RAFT StrategyReflecting on My WritingWhen I look back on my writing I think I have got better at:Forming lettersNeatnessSpacingTelling my ideas, using abeginning, middle, endUsing ‘Wow’ wordsUsing capitals and fullstopsNational Behaviour Support ServiceTerrificOkNeeds WorkTerrificOkNeeds WorkTerrificOkNeeds WorkTerrificOkNeeds WorkTerrificOkNeeds WorkTerrificOkNeedsfrichardson@nbss.ieWork20

RAFT StrategyWow with Your Wordshuge vastbulkymassiveenjoy adorefancyBigLikeenormousappreciatecolossalmean wickedevilawfulsplendid superbwonderful excellentBadGooddreadfulmarvellousprefer demandancient outdatedrequirewishWantdesireyearnNational Behaviour Support e21

RAFT StrategyVerbs with a PunchknockwhackpoundwalloppNational Behaviour Support Servicethumpcollidecrashbumpfrichardson@nbss.ie22

RAFT StrategyWalk – What Way?strolledswerveddivedhurriedNational Behaviour Support aunteredrushedfrichardson@nbss.ie23

RAFT StrategyWhat to Use Instead of Said ledBarkedNational Behaviour Support Servicefrichardson@nbss.ie24

RAFT StrategyWays of eredWitnessedStaredGlaredNational Behaviour Support ServiceObservedPeepedfrichardson@nbss.ie25

RAFT StrategyAdjectives to Wow Withdarkold young delicate clearlightunlitwindy soothingglareshadysoretendereffectivekind softshinesunlesshard warm safe woodenluminousgloomysmooth hairy big wrinklysparklesombreflaming burningcreamyglowtallshadowy everlasting refiercecolossalnumbingstrangestrongquick immediate hantingfascinatingcompellingstimulatingNational Behaviour Support Serviceslow leisurely ome26