Time to Write the PRT!
… Wait, what’s a PRT?
PRT stands for: “Personal Response to Text”, and in
this type of essay, unlike the critical/analytical
response, you can use personal pronouns
This type of writing assignment focusses on
elements of an author’s writing, as well as visual
What is a elements of a photograph
A key focus of the PRT is using personal details to
PRT? relate to one’s own experience as it
connects/relates to the sources provided and topic
question asked
PRT’s also focus on developing the writer’s
’personal voice’…which is what exactly?
When using ‘personal voice’, one must
demonstrate that they can effectively relate their
personal experiences, opinions, and viewpoints,
when answering the topic question being asked
In other words, ‘personal voice’ is using your
What is personal opinions/experiences to support your
‘Personal understanding of the topic question, and the
sources provided
Voice?’ In short, the focus of the PRT is to demonstrate
how both your personal opinions/experiences
(personal voice), and your critical understanding
of the sources provided address/answer the topic
question
Never has taking the time to plan a PRT had a
detrimental effect on the final product
Steps to follow when planning our your PRT:
Carefully read the topic question – ensure you
understand EXACTLY what it is asking you to
answer/address – have a dictionary handy!
Before Carefully read/analyze BOTH of the sources
Writing the provided
Create a Thesis Statement/Controlling Idea that
PRT, you answers the topic question, and can be support by
one (1) of the sources, as well as a personal example
must PLAN! Outline what the two (2) body paragraphs will
consist of in order to best prove the
thesis/controlling idea
The assignment sheet will have an area set aside
exclusively for you to plan PRIOR to writing
There are two (2) Structures a PRT can take:
Critical Structure: this format tends to take the
form of an essay, structured into four paragraphs
Creative Structure: this format is a lot less precise
than the critical structure, and can take many
PRT different forms as long as the topic question is being
addressed/answered in an effective way
Structures Some examples are:
Short story
Journal entries
Monologue
Play Script
Interview
Critical PRT Format:
Introduction: 4 Components:
General Statement, Focus, Thesis
Statement/Controlling Idea, Overview
Body Paragraph #1: 4 Components:
Critical PRT Topic Sentence, Explain, Specific Example, Final
Sentence
Format Body Paragraph #2: 4 Components:
Topic Sentence, Explain, Personal Anecdote, Final
Sentence
Conclusion: 2 Components:
Summarize, Final Thoughts
Introduction Paragraph:
General Statement:
Where you introduce the topic presented in the
question
Focus:
Addressing/Answering the question
Follow with an introduction of the materials that you
Critical PRT will be discussing in the essay
Format Part Do not talk about your experiences yet, because you
are building a bridge of common knowledge with the
II reader
Controlling Idea/Thesis Statement:
This is where you answer the topic question
You will state what you are conveying about
individuals, and then set up what you will
explain/support/prove in the body paragraphs
Explicitly stating your key idea (clearly stating the
answer to the question directly within the paragraph)
Body Paragraph #1:
Topic Sentence:
A general statement that discusses specifically what the
paragraph will be discussing as it related to the thesis
Explain:
Explain MORE about the paragraph topic in your own
Critical PRT words
Format Part Specific Example:
Find specific example(s) from the SOURCE you have
III chosen that supports your thesis statement and proves it
to be true
Pulling key aspects from the literature, or visual, that
best reflect how the thesis is being proven
Final Sentence:
Sum up the paragraph’s point/argument in a general
sentence; restate your topic sentence more specifically
Body Paragraph #2:
Topic Sentence:
A general statement that discusses specifically what the
paragraph will be discussing as it related to the thesis.
Explain:
Explain MORE about the paragraph topic in your own
Critical PRT words
Format Part Personal Anecdote:
IV Give an example from your own life, or from reality, that
proves your thesis statement true
Give a real example that shows that people do the thing
your thesis says that they do
Final Sentence:
Sum up the paragraph’s point/argument in a general
sentence; restate your topic sentence more specifically
Conclusion Paragraph:
Summarize:
Summarize your main points, restate your thesis
Critical PRT Look at your Final Sentences to help you
Format Part Final Thoughts:
V End with a thought-provoking statement
Leaves your reader thinking about, and with an
impression of your overall argument
Strong statement that sums up your overall essay
Creative PRT Format:
This format allows for originality, and choice in
format
Allows one to integrate source details into an original
format while ensuring that you are effectively
addressing the topic question
You may build on a personal
Creative PRT experience/understanding, or focus on a completely
new/different character and context you have
Format created
You may consider any of the possible formats but
be sure to consider whether the format is
appropriate to the tone of your text and
character(s)
Short story, Journal entries, Speech, Monologue,
Newspaper article, Eulogy, Interview, etc.
Creative Format:
The format for creative writing is less precise,
however, there should be focus on three areas:
Context: Create the scenario for the character(s)
that establish why or how the topic question is
reflected in their experiences
Creative PRT Answer the Question: use specific text details to
support how the character(s) specifically answer the
Format Part question
Explore the Impact: once the question is answered,
II what does the character learn about him/herself?
How are they affected by this new understanding?
Built around a Source: response is to be built around
one of the sources provided
In this type of response, the thesis idea is
IMPLICIT. That means that it is not clearly stated,
but interwoven throughout the creative response
Make sure that you answer the question
Make sure that you know the selected source very well
Does your personal anecdote/source details clearly
Things to support the thesis statement?
Remember While there is some flexibility in vocabulary and tone,
make sure that your choices are still appropriate
… Stay away from vague, or wishy-washy words, slang,
cliches, etc.
Edit your work!