Better Answer Formula Looking good and sounding smart!

When do I use the Better Answer Formula? Use the Better Answer Formula for short answer and extended response questions on: Use the Better Answer Formula for short answer and extended response questions on: The ELA 6 test The ELA 6 test Math tests Math tests Social Studies tests Social Studies tests Science tests Science tests Any test that has written responses! Any test that has written responses! For the rest of your life! (job interviews, meetings, presentations, etc.) For the rest of your life! (job interviews, meetings, presentations, etc.)

Why do I use the Better Answer Formula? Do you want to look good? Do you want to look good? Do you want to sound smart? Do you want to sound smart? That’s why! That’s why!

What is the Better Answer Formula? The Better Answer Formula has 5 steps: The Better Answer Formula has 5 steps: Step 1 Restate the question. Step 1 Restate the question. Step 2 Construct a gist answer. Step 2 Construct a gist answer. Step 3 Use details to support your answer. Step 3 Use details to support your answer. Step 4 Stay on topic. Step 4 Stay on topic. Step 5 Use proper conventions. Step 5 Use proper conventions.

Step 1 Restate the question Restating makes you sound smart and keeps you focused on answering the right question Restating makes you sound smart and keeps you focused on answering the right question Underline the words you will need Underline the words you will need Cross out and rewrite words to make it sound right Cross out and rewrite words to make it sound right Avoid pronouns—use real names! Avoid pronouns—use real names! Here’s what it looks like… Here’s what it looks like…

What did you do last night when you got home from school? What did you do last night when you I got home from school… What did you do last night when you I got home from school… Last night when I got home from school… Last night when I got home from school…

Now you try! Turn to a partner and restate the following questions: Turn to a partner and restate the following questions: How do you and your friends have fun on the weekends? How do you and your friends have fun on the weekends? How would you change your school, if it were possible? How would you change your school, if it were possible? How did you do? How did you do?

Step 2 Construct a gist answer Gist answers do not include details and make us want to ask, “What do you mean?” Gist answers do not include details and make us want to ask, “What do you mean?” They are the main idea or topic sentence They are the main idea or topic sentence Here’s what it looks like… Here’s what it looks like…

What did you do last night when you got home from school? Last night when I got home from school (restatement) I had fun. Last night when I got home from school (restatement) I had fun. Last night when I got home from school I did something exciting. Last night when I got home from school I did something exciting. Last night when I got home from school I did the usual thing. Last night when I got home from school I did the usual thing.

Here are some non-gist statements (Don’t do this!) Last night when I got home from school I watched TV, made dinner, and went to bed. Last night when I got home from school I watched TV, made dinner, and went to bed. Last night when I got home from school I was so mad at my kids because they did not start dinner and I was really hungry. I had not eaten lunch and really wanted my dinner ready! Kids these days! Last night when I got home from school I was so mad at my kids because they did not start dinner and I was really hungry. I had not eaten lunch and really wanted my dinner ready! Kids these days!

Now you try Step 1 and Step 2! Let’s go back to our sentences… Let’s go back to our sentences… How do you and your friends have fun on the weekends? How do you and your friends have fun on the weekends? How would you change your school, if it were possible? How would you change your school, if it were possible? Use your restatement and finish the sentence with a gist statement Use your restatement and finish the sentence with a gist statement Be ready to share Be ready to share

What’s next? Finish with the rest of the formula… Finish with the rest of the formula… Step 3 Use details to support your answer Step 3 Use details to support your answer Step 4 Stay on topic Step 4 Stay on topic Step 5 Use proper conventions Step 5 Use proper conventions

Here’s what it might look like Last night when I got home from school, I did the usual thing. Because I have 3 dogs and 4 kids, the “usual” thing can be a rather extensive process. First, I have to greet and feed my 3 overly-excited dogs. Sometimes this looks more like a wrestling match! Next, I have to greet and feed my 4 kids. The challenge here is that I usually have to fix dinner and get out the door to a soccer and/or volleyball match in about 3 minutes. Doing the “usual” thing after school can be exhausting! Last night when I got home from school, I did the usual thing. Because I have 3 dogs and 4 kids, the “usual” thing can be a rather extensive process. First, I have to greet and feed my 3 overly-excited dogs. Sometimes this looks more like a wrestling match! Next, I have to greet and feed my 4 kids. The challenge here is that I usually have to fix dinner and get out the door to a soccer and/or volleyball match in about 3 minutes. Doing the “usual” thing after school can be exhausting!

Now you try! Now it’s your turn to look good and sound smart Now it’s your turn to look good and sound smart Use the Better Answer formula to answer the question… Use the Better Answer formula to answer the question…