Open Ended Response Plan of Attack!

While some TAKS graders may mark off for “formulaic” writing, I have a secret formula, which will make sure you cover your bases when writing your open ended responses. Keep in mind, using a structure to formulate your responses is not a bad thing as long as your ideas are original. See below for a step by step process. Literary & Expository Open Ended Response Step by Step

Step One: Answer the Question (Make a Claim, Brain Answer) Step 1: Answer the question. A good idea is to rephrase the question in the answer. Usually your answer will include a “because.” Step 1: Answer the question. A good idea is to rephrase the question in the answer. Usually your answer will include a “because.” For example… Chief Magombe in “African Time” is a good leader because… Chief Magombe in “African Time” is a good leader because… Scout in “To Kill A Mockingbird” is a “mockingbird because… Scout in “To Kill A Mockingbird” is a “mockingbird because… Sinan is a _____________ person because… Sinan is a _____________ person because…

Step Two: Embed Your Evidence (Book Answer) Insert your evidence. You have two choices. You can embed the quotes into your analysis or at the very least use one of these… Insert your evidence. You have two choices. You can embed the quotes into your analysis or at the very least use one of these… In the story, it says “QUOTE” (AUTHOR’S LAST NAME PARAGRAPH #) In the story, it says “QUOTE” (AUTHOR’S LAST NAME PARAGRAPH #) The author states, “QUOTE” (AUTHOR’S LAST NAME PARAGRAPH #) The author states, “QUOTE” (AUTHOR’S LAST NAME PARAGRAPH #) In paragraph _______, it says “QUOTE” (AUTHOR’S LAST NAME PARAGRAPH #) In paragraph _______, it says “QUOTE” (AUTHOR’S LAST NAME PARAGRAPH #)

Step Three: Explain HOW your evidence proves your claim Explain HOW your evidence proves your CLAIM. Explain HOW your evidence proves your CLAIM. This quote shows __________________ because ________________. This quote shows __________________ because ________________. From __________________, the reader sees ____________________. From __________________, the reader sees ____________________.

What does it look like when it’s done? Chief Magombe is a good leader because his people respect him. In the story it says, “Whoever passed the bottle store broke from his errand and came up to the chief and his wife and shook hands and clapped.” (Kenyon 23) From these gestures of respect, the reader sees that the chief is a good leader.