Steps to Read and Answer an Open Response Question

 

Step A

 

1.     Read the title of the excerpt

2.     Read the italicized paragraph at the top of the excerpt

3.     Read the open response question

 

Step B

 

1.       Mark and highlight the open response question

  Circle the direction words (the doing words such as “explain”  “describe” “list” “compare and contrast,” etc.

 

2.     Paraphrase the directions. Start each paraphrased direction with the phrase, “I must…”

 

3.     Highlight the important words that you will restate or paraphrase in your topic sentence and clincher

 

Step C: Highlight and paraphrase the italicized paragraph

 

Step D:  Read the multiple-choice questions. I strongly recommend that you highlight important words in each question

 

Step E: Read the entire passage without stopping to interact with the text

 

Step F: Reread the entire passage. Use one or more reading strategies to make sense of the text and find evidence to support your open response answer. Highlighting, clarifying & paraphrasing are good choices.

 

Step G: Answer the multiple-choice questions. Many times, one can find clues for the open response hidden in the multiple-choice questions/answers.

 

Step H: Looking back at the key ideas in the text that you highlighted and paraphrased, brainstorm your answer

 

Step I: Write your answer. Begin with a topic sentence that contains the key words from the open response question and perhaps the italicized paragraph. Support your answer with evidence. Unless the directions state otherwise, include and explain three direct quotes to support your answer.

 

Step J: Read over your essay and revise as needed. Ask yourself if you answered the question with clearly stated powerful evidence.

 

Step K: Double check that you answered all of the multiple-choice questions.

 

Tips for Good Writers

 

- You are the expert. Tell the reader to what to think

- Never use the word(s) “I,” “I think,” “I believe,” “I feel,” etc.”

- Never assume or write, “as you can see”

- Never address the reader as “you.” Instead, use “one”.

- Never start a clincher with …this, that, these, them, those, them, they, all in all, in conclusion

- Ask yourself if your clincher would work as a topic sentence.

- Include the title and the author or poet in the topic sentence

- Use good vocabulary from the selection in your answer.