1. How to effectively answer an open-ended question
Open-Ended Response
How to effectively answer an open-ended question

2. R-A-S-E-R
You might be wondering what your teachers are talking about when they are referring to RASER-like answers.
The following is a breakdown of exactly what we are asking for.

3. R
The first step in answering an open-ended question is to Restate the question.
For example: If the question asks: “How does the author feel about this particular character?”
Your response: “In “title” the author feels that this character is…….”

4. A The next step is to Answer the question.
For example: You will find the answer to the question within the text or from your own knowledge of what the question is asking.
“The author feels the character is jealous of her sister.”

5. S
Support!!! In every open-ended answer, you will be adding a quote from the text in order to answer the question.
For example: The author feels that this character is jealous of her sister as illustrated when she says, “She is always getting better grades and being told that she is prettier” (Last name #).
Parenthetical Citation

6. E
Extend to the World. Find a theme within the answer and expand on it using what you know about the world.
For example: “Jealousy is something that most people feel. We can see it in our everyday lives, especially when someone wants something that someone else has. The media doesn’t help when showing people how others live luxuriously and we don’t.”

7. R
Relate to yourself. The most important part of an open-ended response is to ensure that you are bringing your own knowledge to the table.
For example: “Jealousy can be seen in high school where teens feel they are inferior to other teens. Most of my own experiences involve people who actually just want something that another person has.”

8. Final Thoughts
Once you answer a question in this format, you have successfully answered an open-ended question.
This way of answering a question proves that you can answer the question formally, that you can support your answer, that you can illustrate how it extends to the world, and finally, how it relates to you, which is the higher-level thinking part of answering the actual question.

9. HSPA Reading Selection Tips
Narrative Selection

10. BEFORE reading… ALWAYS read the introduction & circle key information
Preview the title & access prior knowledge

11. While reading… Write a marginal note (a phrase) for every 2 paragraphs
Annotate for:
Narrator/characters
Setting
Conflict
Solution
Theme

12. Model of “Gentlemen of Rio En Medio” - Marginal Notes1:

13. AFTER reading… Reread the introduction
Try to infer themes of the story

14. Multiple Choice Locate the most important words in the question stem.
Eliminate incorrect answers
Refer to the passage when answering questions
Marginal Notes will help you & direct you to the right paragraph

15. Devices Multiple Choice #8:
Figurative language: language that means more than what it says on the surface.
Irony: unexpected occurs
Symbolism: object that represents or stands for something else
Exaggeration: (hyperbole) make something appear more than what it is

16. OPEN-ENDED: Bullet 1/Paragraph 1: Restate with title/author
Answer with details
Support with Quote
Bullet 2/Paragraph 2:
Answer the question
Extend to the World
Relate to Self

17. Bullet/Paragraph 1: “RAS”
In “Gentleman of Rio En Medio” by Juan Sedillo, Don Anselmo and the American buyers have different ideas about money and land ownership. When the buyers try to offer Don Anselmo more money for his land, he refuses. He is more concerned about his customs than the real estate laws. Don Anselmo says, “The trees in that orchard are not mine, they belong to the children of the village” (Sedillo 56). Don Anselmo wants to provide for future generations; however, the American buyers only care about making a profit.

18. Bullet/Paragraph 2: “A+ER”
I think the author agrees with Don Anselmo, who values family over money. Don Anselmo is portrayed as an honorable protagonist because he will not accept more money in order to compromise his own values. There are times when people are faced with decisions such as stealing as a way to make money quickly. However, sometimes people pass up opportunities of financial gain in order to stand by the values that they believe in. I also faced a similar conflict when I was offered to work on a holiday for more money, but I refused because it was more important for me to spend that time with my family rather than be at work.

19. Reading Record DATE TASK SCORE ( / ) IMPROVE: 9/9
( / )
IMPROVE:
9/9
Saki’s “The Story Teller”
/ 8
Make predictions from title & pictures
Refer back to the story for multiple choice
9/12
Leary’s “Why Reading Counts”
/ 10
*Annotate (take notes)
*Refer back to the headings
10/22
Sedillo’s “Gentleman of Rio En Medio”
*Read the introduction
*Identify the narrator of the story

20. Writing Record DATE TASK SCORE (#1-4) IMPROVE: 9/9
Saki’s “The Story Teller” *
9/12
Leary’s “Why Reading Counts”
10/22
Sedillo
Open Ended

21. Metacognition Worksheet
After completing the chart, reflect on your writing open-ended responses by completing the questionnaire. 
Purpose:
To monitor your progress
To make changes in your writing and adopt new strategies