1. A Constructed Response Strategy
R.A.C.E.
A Constructed Response Strategy

2. Learning Targets Understand the purpose of constructed response
Describe the components of constructed response
Understand the guidelines for writing constructed response using the R.A.C.E. strategy
In order to guide our work today,

3. What is R.A.C.E.?
R.A.C.E. is a strategy that helps students answer constructed and extended response questions in writing.
Step 1: Reword the question
Step 2: Answer the question
Step 3: Cite the evidence
Step 4: Explain your answer

4. Step 1: Reword the question
You must first know what the question is asking.
You will use the question to form a focused topic sentence
Example: "What was life like for serfs in the Middle Ages?"
Restatement:
"Life for serfs in the Middle Ages was..."

5. Step 2: Answer the question
Underline key words/phrases in the question.
Look for task words (words that tell you what to do): explain, describe, compare, contrast, discuss, evaluate, identify, analyze, determine, etc.
Give a concise, logical answer
Example: "What was life like for serfs in the Middle Ages?"
"Life for the serfs in the Middle Ages was very difficult."

6. Step 3: Cite the evidence
Select appropriate examples from the text to support your answer.
Tell which piece of evidence you used.
Use specific details
Quotes don't have to be super long!
Example: "What was life like for serfs in the Middle Ages?“
Red-paraphrase Purple-direct quote
Life for serfs in the Middle Ages was very difficult. In Document 2, it stated they often worked 7 days a week because they had to grow food for the manor and themselves. Also, Document 4 stated that serfs "also had very little freedom because both landowners and church leadership could tell them what to do."

7. Step 4: Explain your answer
Explain how the evidence you gave makes your point.
Demonstrate understanding of the question through the response
Example: Orange-explanation of answer
Life for serfs in the Middle Ages was very difficult. In Document 2, it stated they often worked 7 days a week because they had to grow food for the manor and themselves. Also, Document 4 stated that serfs "also had very little freedom because both landowners and church leadership could tell them what to do." A lack of freedom and constant hard work would make life unpleasant for anyone.
Why I cited those two pieces

8. Example: Green-Summary/Conclusion
Sum It Up
The last sentence should be a summary of the entire paragraph. Restate the topic sentence in a different way.
Example: Green-Summary/Conclusion
Life for serfs in the Middle Ages was very difficult. In Document 2, it stated they often worked 7 days a week because they had to grow food for the manor and themselves. Also, Document 4 stated that serfs "also had very little freedom because both landowners and church leadership could tell them what to do." A lack of freedom and constant hard work would make life unpleasant for anyone. In conclusion, a serf in the Middle Ages would have had an incredibly difficult life.

9. The Entire Paragraph…
Life for serfs in the Middle Ages was very difficult. In Document 2, it stated they often worked 7 days a week because they had to grow food for the manor and themselves. Also, Document 4 stated that serfs "also had very little freedom because both landowners and church leadership could tell them what to do." A lack of freedom and constant hard work would make life unpleasant for anyone. In conclusion, a serf in the Middle Ages would have had an incredibly difficult life.