The WASL Prompts follow a prescribed format that contains four key components. The first of the components could be labeled "orientation to topic." This provides the writer with a little background or situational information that will be the springboard into the topic. The prompt must also give a directive as to the mode or purpose for writing. For example, the writer may explain, describe, or persuade, to name a few. In WASL prompts, a writer will always be asked to produce a certain type of product. We refer to that as the "form." Examples of writing forms are letters, brochures, and essays. The final ingredient in a successful WASL prompt is the definition of the audience. Writers must consider each of the above before deciding how to handle the content, organization, and tone best suited to his/her presentation.

Below are prompts that are on various sites on the Internet. Few of them follow the format listed above. Make it your challenge to edit prompts you'll use for practice so that each has all four WASL components present.

1. Think of a time you read a book, story, poem or essay that contained a saying or short passage that impressed you. Write a letter to the author of this passage and explain to him/her what that passage means to you, how you feel about it, and why.
This prompt has all four components. It provides orientation to the topic, [Think of a time you read a book, story, poem or essay that contained a saying or short passage that impressed you.] and tells the writer what he needs to do with that topic [explain]. The prompt provides both an audience [author of the passage] and form [letter] to address that audience.
2. Every child has a special position in his or her family. Some are the oldest and have one set of experiences and responsibilities; some hold the youngest or middle positions which spells a different set of experiences and responsibilities. Tell the reader what your family position is and explain the advantages and disadvantages of holding this position in your family.
   This prompt must be revised in order to follow the WASL prompt guidelines. The orientation sentence(s) of this prompt are longer than one might like to see. The mode, "explain," is clear. The prompt does not explicitly state what form the writer is to use nor does it clearly define the audience ("Tell the reader" does not provide information about whether the audience is adult or child, teacher or parent, or ?)

Expository Prompts for Global Learners
http://www.asd.wednet.edu/EagleCreek/Barnard/wri/exp.htm

Mrs. Barnard’s Expository Prompts
http://www.asd.wednet.edu/eagleCreek/barnard/wri/exp.htm

Northwest Regional Laboratory
http://www.nwrel.org/eval/writing/prompts.html

Practice Writing Prompts: Champaign Community Schools, Illinois
http://www.cmi.k12.il.us/Champaign/curric/grdlvl/5/fprompts.html#expository

Writing Prompts for Practice
http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Atrium/1437/prompts.html