The Short Answer Response A How-To Guide

Objectives: Today you will know what a short answer response is, understand how to craft a well-written response, and write a short answer response using the kernelling method.

What is a SAR? SAR=Short Answer Response A SAR directly answers a question, provides text evidence to prove the point, and includes connecting commentary that explains how the text evidence supports the assertion.

Two Main Requirements All short answer responses require: A thesis– A direct answer to the prompt. Answer with only ONE answer or thesis point. Text evidence – a quote or two from the passage that helps prove your thesis(EMBEDDED) The answer (thesis) and the text evidence must “match.” In other words, your quote(s) must relate directly to your thesis. Now, let’s talk about how you will be scored.

0 - Insufficient This response is too vague to understand; it’s unclear. -or- This response fails to give any textual evidence. (a quotation that directly supports thesis) This response makes an interpretation not found in the text. This response is just a plot summary.

1 - Partially Sufficient This response only gives a thesis. -or- This response only gives textual evidence and fails to answer the question. There is no clear connection between the thesis and the evidence.

2 - Sufficient This response answers the question with a thesis and gives appropriate evidence (quote that directly supports the thesis). The connection between the thesis and the evidence (quote) is clear.

3 - Exemplary Everything a “2” has PLUS: answers the question with a thesis gives appropriate evidence (quote) clear connection between thesis and quote PLUS: Particularly insightful answer Embedded quotations Exceptional vocabulary

What is a kernel? Kernels are the most important words in your text evidence. The kernel is the essential part of a quote that will help you to advance your point and support your argument.

How Does This Strategy Look? Combine a paraphrase with a quotation: Not embedded: Tania Modleski suggests that “if television is considered by some to be a vast wasteland, soap operas are thought to be the least nourishing spot in the desert.” Embedded: In her critique of soap operas, Tania Modleski argues that some view television as “a vast wasteland” and soap operas as “the least nourishing spot in the desert.”

How Does This Strategy Look? Do not use a full-sentence quotation. Your own commentary or ideas should support and elaborate the quotation. Not embedded: Richard Cory had everything going for him. “He was a gentleman from sole to crown.” “And he was rich—yes, richer than a king.” Embedded: Richard Cory had everything going for him. Not only was he a “gentleman from sole to crown,” but he was “richer than a king.”

How Do I Link Kernels in My Short Answer Responses? Preview your prompt/question. This gives you a purpose for your reading. Read the text and look for evidence that would support your answer to the question. Highlight at least 2-3 complete quotes in the text that may answer your question. Underline the “kernel” of information that specifically answers your questions – without “filler words” (the, she, he, it, they, but, and) Choose the kernels that are thematically related to your answer. Pre-write your ideas as to how the kernel will answer the questions (i.e. provide connecting commentary). Build your answer around the linked kernels of text you have identified and explained.

Let’s try it! Read the passage on the following slide. Then respond to the prompt below. How does the paragraph develop Beauty’s character? Support your answer with evidence from the text.

Excerpt from “Beauty and the Beast” At first nobody would hear of it. Beauty’s father and brothers, who loved her dearly, declared nothing should make them let her go. But Beauty was firm. As the time drew near for her to go to the Beast, she divided her little possessions between her sisters and said goodbye to everyone she loved. When the fatal day came, she encouraged and cheered her father as they mounted together the horse which had brought him back. It seemed to fly rather than gallop, but so smoothly that Beauty was not frightened. Indeed, she would have enjoyed it if she had not feared what might happen at the end of it. Her father still tried to persuade her to go back, but in vain.

Again, the question/prompt is… How does the paragraph develop Beauty’s character? Support your answer with evidence from the text.

Pre-Writing Highlight 2-3 quotes in the passage that you think help develop Beauty’s character.

Did you highlight any of these? “As the time drew near for her to go to the Beast, she divided her little possessions between her sisters and said goodbye to everyone she loved” “It seemed to fly rather than gallop, but so smoothly that Beauty was not frightened” “Her father still tried to persuade her to go back, but in vain”

Identify the Kernels Underline the most important words in the quotes you highlighted. These are your kernels. Don’t underline unimportant words like a, an, the, and, but, or, etc.

Did you get these key words? “divided her little possessions between her sisters” “Beauty was not frightened” “in vain”

Connecting Commentary Explain what each of the kernels shows about Beauty’s character. Write your thoughts next to each kernel.

Notice how the comments in white explain how the quote characterizes Beauty. “divided her little possessions between her sisters” - Shows that Beauty is not selfish. She wants to share her things with her sisters. “Beauty was not frightened” – Though she is going to visit a monster, Beauty does not let herself become afraid. She is brave. “in vain” – There is no use in persuading Beauty to stay behind; she is determined to help her family by going to the Beast.

Now let’s put it all together. Once you have this pre-writing completed, you simply need to put your thoughts and quotes into complete sentences that make sense. Look at my model SAR, notice how I embed my quotations within my own sentences.

When it’s all said and done, it looks something like this: “Beauty was not frightened” by having to go and live with a monster, and her bravery shines through. She showed her unselfishness when she “divided up her little possessions between her sisters,” and her character is further revealed by her determination at being dissuaded from her task despite her Father’s plea which was “in vain.” Beauty showed herself to be a loving, giving, and determined woman who is willing to sacrifice for her family.

Preview your prompt/question. This gives you a purpose for your reading. Read the text and look for evidence that would support your answer to the question. Write at least 3 complete quotes in the text that may answer your question. Underline the “kernel” of information that specifically answers your questions – without “filler words” (the, she, he, it, they, but, and) Choose the kernels that are thematically related to your answer. Pre-write your ideas as to how the kernel will answer the question (i.e. provide connecting commentary). Build your answer around the linked kernels of text you have identified and explained.

Kernelling Checklist Check your SAR. My short answer response contains no full length quotes (True or False) My short answer response fully answers the question My text evidence is linked into my response effectively and fluently (True or False) I have provided enough text evidence in my SAR to support my ideas (True or False) I have written an insightful response to the short answer question that demonstrates my understanding of the subject matter

Last Words 1. The answer should directly answer the writing prompt. 2. The answer and the text evidence must match. 3. Make sure your quote is embedded and fully illustrates your thesis. 4. If you write commentary or conclusion sentences, stay focused on your thesis. Do NOT write about NEW ideas in the conclusion sentence. Simply link your conclusion sentence back to your thesis. 5. Do not write outside the box.