Writing an Extended Response: Review & Tips Extended Response Review & Tips Argumentative and Informational Essays Transitional words & phrases

This morning, we will… 0 Discuss how to write an extended response 0 Discuss argumentative essay components 0 Discuss informational essay components 0 Discuss using transitional words & phrases

How to Score Well on an Extended Response 0 To understand and answer the extended response question, the easiest way is to memorize the acronym "RACE" - this stands for restate, answer, cite and explain. If you are able to restate a question, provide an answer using evidence cited from the text(s) given, and then explain how that evidence supports the answer, you will probably score well on the extended response question. This is usually an answer which has multiple paragraphs.

“R.A.C.E.” 0 R estate the question 0 A nswer the question 0 C ite evidence from the text 0 E xplain how the evidence supports your answer

Restate the Question (the "R" in "RACE") 0 Restate the question means that you are to put the question into a statement as a part of the answer you provide. What color is the sky? The sky is blue. Where did you go for vacation this year? I went to Disney World for vacation this year. How many states have you visited? I have visited 12 states. Who is your favorite teacher? My favorite teacher is Mrs. Sheehy!

Answer the Question (the "A" in "RACE") 0 What is the question asking? 0 MAKE SURE YOU ANSWER THE QUESTION! STAY FOCUSED ON THE QUESTION! 0 The answer, as in the previous example, may come in the first sentence as you restate the question into a statement, but in an extended response question you will then need to show how/why you arrived at your answer.

Cite the Evidence (the "C" in "RACE") Most extended response questions will require you to support your answers with details from the reading passage. You can do this in a few ways: with a direct quotation – The passage states, “………” with a paraphrase – As the passage says, ……. (in your own words) OR According to the author, …….(in your own words)

Citing Evidence with Direct Quotations 0 When you give a direct quotation from the passage to back up your ideas, you must place the text in quotation marks. 0 Example: The narrator says, “As men busied themselves about their various concerns...” 0 Other phrases to set up your direct quotations include: “According to the text,……..” “The author states,…….” and “According to the passage……”

Citing Evidence with Paraphrases 0 You may paraphrase or put a few lines from the passage into your own words, as long as you make it clear that you are doing so. Be careful not to pass off another writer’s ideas as your own. 0 Example: The narrator says that people were going about their usual lives at the time of the attack.

Explain how the Evidence Supports your Answer (the "E" in "RACE") 0 In addition to the evidence you've cited from the text, you will need to supply your own reasoning for why you think your answer is correct and how your evidence supports your answer. 0 This evidence demonstrates that…

0 Example – Describe the main character from the passage. Tell about the character traits that make her a special person. Tracey is the main character in the passage. Tracey has character traits that make her a good person! Tracey is a good friend, a caring mother, and an intelligent business woman. The author explains that Tracey is a good friend she is always there when her best friend needs someone to talk to. Having this quality makes you a good friend because it shows that Tracey listens and tries to help her friend through difficult times. The passage states that, “Tracey will do anything to keep her children safe and happy.” This shows that Tracey is a caring mother. In the story she took her children to the doctor when they were sick and she also makes sure they have the chance to laugh a lot. Tracey works hard to help her company be successful and has creative ideas, according to the passage. Tracey works many extra hours to complete projects and help her customers. The passage explains that she is creative and is always creating new products to help her company keep growing. These things show that Tracey is an intelligent, hard-working business woman. Tracey has at least three character traits that make her a special person. She is a good friend, a caring mother, and an intelligent business woman.

ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY The argumentative essay is a genre of writing that requires you to: 1. investigate a topic; 2. collect, generate, and evaluate evidence; and 3. establish a position on the topic in a concise manner.

14 Everyday Life Example When we argue: Bob: That was a lame movie! Suzy: Why? Bob: The acting was good but the special effects were bad. They were too distracting and caused some awkward moments. Suzy: I thought the movie was good because the acting was believable. Claim Evidence Counterclaim

Elements of Argumentation 15 Argument/Claim An argument states a claim and supports it with reasons and evidence from sources. Arguing your side makes you the proponent.

16 Counterargument/Counterclaim is an argument that stands in opposition to your argument/claim. The counterargument is your opponent’s (the other side’s) claim that tries to show why you are wrong. Including the counterargument shows the reader that you fully understand your topic, and that you can strengthen your own argument by overcoming a counterclaim. Elements of Argumentation

Informational Writing

Defining Informational Writing Informational Writing: Writing that enhances the reader’s understanding of a topic by instructing, explaining, clarifying, describing, or examining a subject or concept. Method: Provides facts, statistics, descriptive details, comparison/contrast, analysis, evaluation, definition, humor, and personal anecdotes.

Purpose of Informational Writing 0 The purpose of informational writing is to help the reader understand a topic or concept. 0 Although the writer may include opinions in an informational piece, the writer’s purpose is not to persuade the reader. 0 A reader should be able to pick up a paper without knowing the assigned topic or the type of writing assigned and be able to understand the writer’s purpose.

Demonstrating Audience Awareness in Informational Writing Effective writers use the following techniques to engage the reader: 0 Descriptive Details 0 Figurative Language: Imagery, similes, metaphors 0 Authoritative voice (being able to tell that the writer knows what they are talking about) 0 Technical Vocabulary (words that have to do with the topic) 0 Addressing the reader 0 Humor 0 Personal account of an event

Informational Paper Example (5 th grade example)

Informational Paper (page 2)

The Functions of Transition Words 0 Transitions function to connect words, phrases, and clauses. 1. Apples and oranges are types of fruit. 2. Not only fast cars but also slow trucks make up highway traffic. 3. Henri stopped writing so that he could listen to his friend. Some examples of transitions are listed on the transitions document in the t-drive folder and on the next 2 slides.

Transitions Add, Compare, and Contrast 1. Addition We also visited Miami Beach. 2. Comparison We, like they, have to study. 3. Contrast Instead of riding, they walked.

Transitions for Example, Summary, and Sequence 4. Example: To illustrate, I will tell a story. 5. Summary: In sum, you must try hard. 6. Time Sequence: At last, she said yes.

Watch out for Transition Words 0 Just like traffic signals on busy roads, transitions words tell good readers to watch out for a change of direction in the passage. 0 “Good readers follow the signals. Hence, you will too!”