LearningFocused.com 1
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).
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R.A.F.T. Scoring Rubric
Criteria/Rating
20 points
17 points
14 points
Role
Role is convincingly
and accurately
portrayed
Role is accurate but
lacks convincing
details
Role lacks both
accuracy and
convincing details
Audience
Point of view of
audience is
addressed
appropriately and
convincingly
Point of view of
audience is
addressed but lacks
supporting details
Point of view of
audience is briefly
addressed but not
supported
Format
Format is correctly
used
Format is alluded to
but not consistently
used
Format is not used
correctly
Topic
Point of view on the
topic is clear,
precise, accurate
and includes
supporting details
Point of view on the
topic is clear and
accurate, but lacks
precision and/or
supporting details
Point of view on the
topic in unclear or
inaccurate
Neatness and
Creativity
The R.A.F.T. is
completed
thoroughly and
creatively, if written
has no mechanical
errors
The R.A.F.T. is
completed and
includes some
creativity, if written
has no more than two
specific mechanical
errors
The R.A.F.T. is
incomplete or does
not use creativity, if
written has more
than two specific
mechanical errors
Examples:
• Elementary: pages 3-5
• Secondary: pages 6-8
• Subject Area: pages 9-12
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3
rd
Grade English/Language Arts: Charlotte's Web
• Role: You will assume the role of Wilbur or Charlotte.
• Audience: The audience is “himself” or “herself.”
• Format: In reading this story, we discussed the unusual friendship between a pig
named Wilbur and a barn spider named Charlotte. When Wilbur was in danger of
being slaughtered by the farmer, Charlotte writes messages praising Wilbur,
such as “Some Pig” in her web to persuade the farmer to let him live. The format
you will use is a personal journal or diary. Assume or pretend that your chosen
character talked things over in his or her head, as the action of the story played
out. What was he or she thinking? How did it feel? What did he or she think that
the farmer should do? How can you describe these things? When you assume
the role of Wilbur or Charlotte, you will be using words to describe how you feel—
you will become the character.
• Topic: The actions taken to save Wilbur from slaughter.
• Writing Task: Write a response in which you assume the role of Wilbur or
Charlotte. You must decide what you think he or she was thinking and feeling,
and then describe it in detail. Use specific references to the text. You should
have at least four or more references to the text and at least three quotations.
Your response should be at least five paragraphs long.
1
st
Grade English/Language Arts: How to Write a “How To” Paragraph
Role
Format
Topic
Student
Friendly
Letter
Explain how to make a peanut butter
and jelly sandwich.
First/Second
Grader
Labeled
Sequence
Pictures
Draw and label a series of pictures
that show the steps in making a
peanut butter sandwich.
Student
Write a Post-
it
Note
Response
What could happen if you did not
follow the steps for making a
peanut butter and jelly sandwich in
order.
Jelly Man
Check List
List the steps in making a peanut
butter and jelly sandwich.
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2
nd
Grade Science: Living Things / Plants
Role
Format
Topic
Lady Bug
Song
Sing the song of the life cycle of a plant
from seed to the blooming flower.
Baby Seed
Cartoon Strip
Draw and write your story of becoming an
adult plant.
Student
Post Card
Draw and describe the parts of a plant and
their purpose.
Flower
Story Book
Describe how the parts of a plant are like a
factory.
2
nd
Grade Math: How Do People Pay for Things
Audience
Format
Topic
Lucy
Draw and
Label
Draw and explain all the different
combinations of coins that Lucy could have
used to pay for a birthday card that costs
$1.00.
Parent
Written
Request
Convince your parents to give you the
coins in their pockets to pay for the
birthday card for your friend. Let them
know what coins you will need to pay for a
card that costs $1.00.
Charlie
Brown
Make a List
Make a list of the names of coins you used
to buy a birthday card for $1.00.
School
Newspaper
Cartoon Strip
Draw a cartoon strip to show how Lucy
might have saved $1.00 in coins to buy
Charlie Brown a birthday card. In each
frame show how much money she saved.
Be sure it adds up to $1.00 by the end.
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3rd Grade English/Language Arts: Character Point of View
Role
Audience
Format
Topic
Students choose
a perspective from
which they work:
Students choose
an audience to
address:
Students choose
their product or
performance:
Students choose
a “lens” or topic of interest:
Red
Police
Deposition or plot
chart
Tell what really happened.
Grandma
Red
1-2-minute
conversation
Save lives. Don’t talk to
strangers.
Wolf
Defense Attorney
1-2-minute
conversation
Help me! I was framed!
Neighbor
PTO
Warning Posters
with Captions
Strangers & Red: Beware!
(A Cautionary Tale)
4th Grade Science: Astronomy
Role
Audience
Format
Topic
Tourist
A friend or relative
Postcard
Your trip to Pluto and
what you saw on the
way.
Astronaut
NASA
Scientific log
Scientific entry on
each planet you pass
on your way to Pluto.
Advertising Agent
Tourists
Advertisement
An advertisement for
an adventure in the
Solar System that
persuades people to
become cosmic
tourists.
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Secondary R.A.F.T. Examples
6
th
Grade Math: Types of Angles
Role
Audience
Format
Topic
Vertical angle
Opposite vertical
angle
Poem
It's like looking in a
mirror
Acute angle
Missing angle
Wanted Poster
Wanted: My
complement
Any angle less
than 180 degrees
Supplementary
angle
Persuasive speech
Together we make
a straight angle
7
th
Grade Science: Invasive Species
Role
Audience
Format
Topic
Ecosystem
Humans
1-2-minute
conversation
Explain the effects.
Human “Neighbor”
Nearby
communities
Warning Posters
with Captions
Why I am not
“wanted!” (A
Cautionary Tale)
Native Species
Invasive Species
Obituary
It’s Not Fair! How I
Lost My Home and
My Life…
Invasive Species
Ecosystem
Memoir Letter
Don’t’ Blame Me: I
Can’t Help Myself!
Invasive Species
Nonnative Species
1-2-minute
conversation
Why I am going to
win...
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8
th
Grade Social Studies: Taxation Without Representation
Role
Audience
Format
Topic
British newspaper
reporter
English citizens
Newspaper article
Boston Tea Party
Eyewitness
Reporter
Interview
Boston Tea Party
King George
Parliament
Speech
Declaration of
Independence
9
th
Grade English/Language Arts: Inference Lesson on “The Pearl”
• Role: You will assume the role of Juana, wife of Kino in John
Steinbeck’s, The Pearl.
• Audience: The audience is “herself.”
• Format: In reading the novel, we considered the “Song of Evil” and the
“Song of the Family;” now, you are to create Juana’s “Song to Herself.” The
format you will use is a personal journal or diary. Assume or pretend that
Juana communicated with herself, talked things over in her head, as the
action of the story played out. What was she thinking? How did it feel?
What did she think her family should do? Now, how can you describe these
things? When you assume the role of Juana, you will be using words to
describe how you feel—you will be singing the “Song of Herself.”
• Topic: The time you will use is during the action of The Pearl and a
speculation on what happened afterward—what did the family do after they
threw the “pearl of the world” back into the ocean?
• The Writing Task: Write a response in which you assume the role of Juana,
wife of Kino in John Steinbeck’s The Pearl. You must decide what you think
she was thinking and feeling, and then describe it in detail. Use specific
references to the text. You should have at least seven references to the text
and at least three quotations. You must also specifically mention all four of
the essential questions, which is cake because Juana is an indigenous
female in a sexist and racist culture that was neither fair nor just because
those in power—including her husband—used it over the powerless, a group
of which she is a member. Your response should be at least two typed
double-spaced pages in 12 point font.
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9th
th
Grade English/Language Arts: Analyzing Viewpoints Lesson
Role
Audience
Format
Topic
Doctor
Cancer Patient
Prescription
Health Risks to
continued
use of tobacco
Health Insurance
Executive
Healthy People
Advertising
Postcard
How to cut the cost
of health insurance
Funeral Director
Tobacco
Company
Executive
Thank You Card
Why business is
booming
Tobacco/Liquor
Company
President
Tobacco/Liquor
Control Board
Fact Sheet
Why use is okay and
a human right
Writing Task: There are many views on the use of alcohol and tobacco. They range
from those vehemently against it to those who believe there should be no laws
regulating it. It is important to be able to see and understand viewpoints different than
our own. Although understanding does not mean agreeing, seeing the other side allows
us to have a deeper understanding of the complexity of these social issues. Based on
the US Health Department video we watched to complete your graphic organizer
showing the research findings about short and long term consequences of alcohol and
tobacco use, complete two of the following R.A.F.T. assignments. Choose one from A
and B, and one from C and D. You will be graded based on the rubric displayed on the
front board. Please look over the rubric before you begin. This will give you a clear
picture of my expectations for this activity. Your R.A.F.T. will be due tomorrow as you
enter the classroom.
10
th
Grade Biology: Photosynthesis
Role
Audience
Format
Topic
The
Chloroplasts
Sunlight
Love Letter
We’re perfect for
each other!
Plant
Job-seeking
chloroplasts
Help Wanted
Advertisement
Wanted: Sugar
Producing
Organelle
Author
Comic Book Fans
Comic Book
The Adventures of
Photosynthesis
Plant
NO ONE- TOP
SECRET
Diary Entry
It is tough being
green!
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Subject Area Examples
Social Studies
Role
Audience
Format
Topic
Newspaper
Reporter
Readers in 1851
News report
Native Americans sign treaty
at Ft. Laramie
Dead
Confederate
Soldier
Robert E. Lee
Complaint
Pickett’s Charge
Bird
Wright Brothers
Complaint or
Advice
New invention disrupts skies
21st Century
Woman
Susan B.
Anthony
Thank-you note
Woman’s rights
Alexander the
Great
Aristotle
Letter
What I have seen on my
journeys
Ben Franklin
Dear Abby
Advice column
My son likes the British
Kaiser Wilhelm
II
European Heads of
State
Recipe
How we can start a World War
Mohandas
Gandhi
Martin Luther
King Jr.
Letter
Nonviolent opposition and
resistance
Great Wall of
China
Self
Diary
Invaders I have seen and
stopped
Colorado River
Rafters
Travel guide
What you will see when you
travel my length
Rain Forest
Humans
Complaint
Deforestation
Constituent
Governor
Proposition
State taxes
Newspaper
reporter
Readers in the
1870s
Obituary
Qualities of General Custer
Lawyer
US Supreme Court
Appeal Speech
Dred Scott Decision
Talk Show Host
Television public
Talk Show
Women’s rights
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Science
Role
Audience
Format
Topic
Water drop
Other water drops
Travel guide
Journey through the water
cycle
Bean
Self
Diary
Process of germination
Frog
Tadpole
Letter
Life cycle
Electron
9th grad students
Letter
Journey through a parallel
circuit
Limestone rock
Cave visitors
Postcard
Chemical weathering
process
Statue
Dear Abby readers
Advice column
Effects of acid rain
Trout
Farmers
Petition
Effects of fertilizer runoff
Duck
Senator
Letter
Effects of oil spills
Star
Self
Diary
Life cycle
Peregrine falcon
Public
News column
Effects of DDT
Red blood cell
Lungs
Thank-you note
Journey through circulatory
system
Liver
Alcohol
Complaint
Effects of drinking
Lungs
Brain
Thank-you note
Quitting smoking
Rusty old car
Previous owner
Letter
Chemical
News writer
Public
Press release
Ozone layer has formed
Oreo
Other Oreos
Travel guide
Journey through the digestive
system
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Math
Role
Audience
Format
Topic
Zero
Whole numbers
Campaign
speech
Importance of the #0
Scale factor
Architect
Directions for a
blueprint
Scale drawings
Percent
Student
Tip sheet
Mental ways to calculate
percentages
Repeating
decimal
Customers
Petition
Proof/check for set
membership
Prime number
Rational numbers
Instructions
Rules for divisibility
Parts of a graph
TV audience
Script
How to read a graph
Exponent
Jury
Instructions to
jury
Laws of exponents
One
Whole numbers
Advice column
Perfect, abundant,
deficient amicable
numbers
Variable
Equations
Letter
Role of variables
Container
Self
Diary
Comparing volume
measurements
Acute triangle
Obtuse triangle
Letter
Explain the differences of
triangles
Function
Relations
Article
Argue the importance of
functions
Square root
Whole number
Love letter
Explain their relationship
Repeating
decimal
Set of rational
numbers
Petition
Prove that you belong to this
set
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English/Language Arts
Role
Audience
Format
Topic
Comma
9th Graders
Job description
Use in sentences
Doctor’s
Association
Future Parents
Web page
Need for Prenatal Nutrition
Shakespeare
Romeo and
Juliet
Play Script
Recreate the ending of Romeo
and Juliet
Stalin
George Orwell
Book Review
Reactions to Animal Farm
Scout Finch
Community of
Monroeville, AL
Eulogy for
Atticus Finch
Social Inequality
You
Best Friend
Poem
Summer Holidays (tone of
amusement / purpose to
entertain and inform)
Semicolon
Classmates
Diary Entry
I Wish You Really Understood
Where I Belong
Dictionary
Younger
Students
Love Letter
Why you need me
Cartoonist
Newspaper
Readers
Comic Strip
with Captions
The definition of onomatopoeia
or alliteration