1. OER Open Ended Response

2. What is an OER? *OER stands for “Open-Ended Response. *Seen on TAKS: You are given a question about a story you have read. You must then write a response to the question; you must also PROVE your answer/support yourself by using quotes and examples from the story you’ve read. *Next, we will take a look at how this breaks down

3. FIRST: Read the question prompt carefully. Underline key verbs and terms in the prompt. Look up any unfamiliar words. Restate the prompt in your own terms. Sample Question When talking to Cherry, Ponyboy thinks, “It seemed funny to me that the sunset she saw from her patio and the one I saw from the back steps was the same one” (p. 40). What does he mean by this? Why do you think this is an important quote? (What does it show?)

4. TO WRITE YOUR RESPONSE FOLLOW THESE STEPS! AT(T)E (Answer/Text/Explanation) 1st Sentence: (Answer) Answer the questions by using proper nouns AND the literary device used in the prompt. (for example: symbol, conflict) Question: When talking to Cherry, Ponyboy thinks, “It seemed funny to me that the sunset she saw from her patio and the one I saw from the back steps was the same one” (p. 40). What does he mean by this? Why do you think this is an important quote? (What does it show?) Answer: Ponyboy meant that the sunset is the same for everyone; he and Cherry Valence are from different social groups, yet they find out they share some things in common. This is an important turning point in the story because it shows Ponyboy and Cherry the importance of looking past sterotypes; not all Socs. are “bad,” and not all Greasers are “hoods.”

5. 2nd Sentence 3 rd Sentence: (Text) Present your RELEVANT textual evidence. These are your quotes. This is the “HOW” and “WHY” of your answer. Your text evidence must back up your answer. Compound sentence using two quotes. For example “text evidence”, and “more text evidence.” T: For example: “Maybe the two worlds we lived in weren’t so different” (page 41). T: “It seemed funny to me that Socs-if these girls were any example-were just like us” (page 37). *Put it together:Ponyboy meant that the sunset is the same for everyone; he and Cherry Valence are from different social groups, yet they find out they share some things in common. This is an important turning point in the story because it shows Ponyboy and Cherry the importance of looking past sterotypes; not all Socs. are “bad,” and not all Greasers are “hoods.”

6. 3rd Sentence: (Explanation) In your own words, explain how your text evidence supports your answer. Example: Ponyboy and Cherry were so into themselves and their social group, they never took the time to get to know each other. When they actually sat down to talk, they discovered that they were a lot alike. Ponyboy and Cherry realized for the first time that they were individuals, not just a “Soc.” or “Greaser.”

7. Put it all Together: Ponyboy meant that the sunset is the same for everyone; he and Cherry Valence are from different social groups, yet they find out they share some things in common. This is an important turning point in the story because it shows Ponyboy and Cherry the importance of looking past sterotypes; not all Socs. are “bad,” and not all Greasers are “hoods.” “Maybe the two worlds we lived in weren’t so different” (page 41). “It seemed funny to me that Socs-if these girls were any example-were just like us” (page 37). Ponyboy and Cherry were so into themselves and their social group, they never took the time to get to know each other. When they actually sat down to talk, they discovered that they were a lot alike. Ponyboy and Cherry realized for the first time that they were individuals, not just a “Soc.” or “Greaser.”