Tips for Writing a Wonderful Extended Response Answer

Tip 1 Write Neatly! It would be a shame to write a terrific answer and spend a lot of time working on it and then no one is able to read it. Remember, your teacher is used to deciphering your handwriting, but on standardized tests, your answer is graded by a stranger. Make sure they can read what you wrote by using clear, neat letters with good size and spacing.

Tip 2 Spell the best you can. It is ok if a word is misspelled, but make sure you use your phonics and spelling rules to get it as close as possible. Then someone can figure out what you are writing. Remember, many of the words you need are in the question and the text. Take a second to look back and you will see exactly how to spell them. Don’t be afraid to write a great response just because you aren’t sure how the words are spelled.

Tip 3 Reread your answer. Our brains often work quicker than our hands can write. It is easy to get ahead of ourselves and leave out words or to forget word endings. Reread your answer to see if it makes sense. Your sentence should sound smooth like something you would read in a book or a sentence your teacher would say.

Tip 4 Answer all parts of the question. Reread the question when you are finished and make sure you have answered all the parts.

Tip 5 Check that you answered what was asked. Often, students write correct information from the text, but it doesn’t match the question that was asked. For example: If someone asked you what color your shoes are, would you say, “I have 2 shoes”? That may be true, but it is not what was asked. Reread the question and answer together to make sure they are a match.

Tip 6 Give examples and evidence from the text. The best support for your answer is to use information from the passage or selection. You should be able to support your answer with at least 2 pieces of evidence. Using evidence from the story shows that you understood what you read.

Tip 7 Use vocabulary. A great way to demonstrate that you understand the question is to use the vocabulary you have learned. For example: This sentence is an ok answer that might earn 1 point. “The shapes are alike because they have 4 sides.” But this sentence is a wonderful answer that would earn 2 or more points. “The polygons are alike because they are quadrilaterals and have right angles.”

Tip 8 Your answer should be so strong that it could stand alone without the question. If the question was erased off the page and someone read just your answer, would they understand what you are saying. If your answer is clear and complete, someone who has never read the selection should be able to read your answer and understand what you are talking about. You can do this by restating the question in your answer. That means using some of the question words to start your sentence.

Tip 9 Take a hint from the lines on the page. If the test maker gives you a whole page to write your answer, then you can tell that they are looking for a longer response. Writing one or two words would not be enough. But make sure you are writing a response that explains the answer completely. Be careful. Some students start to make up information and begin adding silly extra sentences just to fill the space and make their answers look longer.

Tip 10 Never leave an answer blank. It is better to at least try. Writing something is better than writing nothing. If you skip the question and write nothing, then you are guaranteed to get 0 points. Extended response questions are like the big money questions on a game show. They are worth the most. They are the best way to show how much you have learned.