The RAFTS Writing Process

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.

RAFTS (Poetry or Prose) by Lela DeToye
Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville

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:

• As a rapper, write a song to your peers condemning river pollution.

• As a catfish, write an editorial to an industry demanding clean water.

• As "Ole Man River," write a sermon to boaters condemning the dumping of beer cans in the river.

• As an eagle, write an essay to "Mother Nature" lamenting the quality of the diet provided by the river.

• As the spirit of a deceased Indian, write a chant to future citizens decrying the desecration of the ancient Indian burial grounds.

• As a student, write a play for younger children explaining hunting on the river.

• Write a panel discussion involving a river character from the past, an industrialist from the present, and a mother from the future.

• As a fish, write a magazine article for Field and Stream, describing the influence of a factory along the river.

• As a nature lover, write a sonnet to fellow environmentalists professing your awe-inspired feelings at the sight of a blue heron.

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Mr. Cassutto also tried his hand at the RAFTS approach to creative writing. He combined his poem entitled On The Rafts of Time with HTML. Take a look and send him some feedback!

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