Many mathematics departments have instituted transition-to-proof courses for second semester sophomores to help them learn how to construct proofs and to prepare them for proof-based courses, such as abstract algebra and real analysis. We have developed a way of getting students, who often stare at a blank piece of paper not knowing what to do, to start writing proofs. This is the technique of writing proof frameworks, which is based on the logical structure of the statements of the theorems and associated definitions. Also, in order to unpack the conclusion and know what is to be proved, students need definitions to become "operable."