1. HOW TO STEAL YOUR STARTER SENTENCE FROM A WRITING PROMPT
A RAER STRATEGY
HOW TO STEAL YOUR STARTER SENTENCE FROM A WRITING PROMPT

2. RULES FOR ANSWERING EXTENDED RESPONSE
1.) Read the prompt TWICE – Read the prompt TWICE
2.) Put a BOX around command words (12 Powerful Words and any other commands)
3.) CIRCLE any numbers (including words that act like numbers – some, many, all, etc.)
4.) UNDERLINE any content area vocabulary words to include in your answer.
5.) Steal your starter sentence by RESTATING THE PROMPT and respond.

3. Using “Jamie’s Journal” and “Mount St
Using “Jamie’s Journal” and “Mount St. Helens,” compare and contrast Mount St. Helens and Spirit Lake both before and after the eruption on May 18, 1980.
Identify your command words: Compare/Contrast (think of how you can use the definitions used in 12 Power Words to help with your starter sentence)
Circle your numbers: Both BEFORE and AFTER
Underline content vocabulary:
Text Titles: “Jamie’s Journal”/”Mount St. Helens”
Dates: May 18, 1980
Academic Language: Mount St. Helens, Spirit Lake, Eruption

4. Using “Jamie’s Journal” and “Mount St
Using “Jamie’s Journal” and “Mount St. Helens,” compare and contrast Mount St. Helens and Spirit Lake both before and after the eruption on May 18, 1980.
According to the texts, “Jamie’s Journal” and “Mount St. Helens”, there were similarities and differences between Mount St. Helens and Spirit Lake before and after the eruption of Mount St. Helens on May 18,

5. Your turn! Copy the next prompt onto a blank notebook page.
Don’t forget your NDP and Title (RAER Strategy)
Utilize the RAER strategy to steal your starter sentence.
Show your work via RAER Strategy, & you MUST compose a starter sentence!
1.) Read the prompt TWICE – Read the prompt TWICE
2.) Put a BOX around command words (12 Powerful Words and any other commands)
3.) CIRCLE any numbers (including words that act like numbers) Don’t forget, this also includes plural words; i.e. “details” means more than one detail is required.
4.) UNDERLINE any content area vocabulary words to include in your answer.
5.) Steal your starter sentence by RESTATING THE PROMPT and respond.

6. Explain how the speaker’s point of view or attitude influences the way John Snow’s life and work is presented in the poem. Use specific details from the poem “John Snow” to support your answer. After conducting the RAER strategy on the prompt, make sure to compose a starter sentence. Capitalize the first word and titles of names/texts and be sure to use punctuation at the end.

7. Explain how the speaker’s point of view or attitude influences the way John Snow’s life and work is presented in the poem. Use specific details from the poem “John Snow” to support your answer.
Plural means more than one!
Our Starter Sentence:

8. Explain how the speaker’s point of view or attitude influences the way John Snow’s life and work is presented in the poem. Use specific details from the poem “John Snow” to support your answer.
Example Starter Sentence:
In the poem “John Snow”, the speaker’s point of view has an influence on the way John’s life and work is presented.

9. IRACE to Write an Excellent Response!
I – Indent
R – Restate
A – Answer
C – Cite
E – Explain

10. I – Indent the start of each paragraph.
R – Restate the prompt (use the RAER Strategy to steal a starter sentence).
A – Answer the question completely.
C – Cite evidence from the text to support your answer.
E – Explain how your response answers the prompt (summarize or restate your starter sentence as a closing statement)

11. Now for the hard part … strap in and hang on!
WHEN ANSWERING A WRITING PROMPT, ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Use RAER and IRACE strategies to get you through the finish line!
Read the ENTIRE prompt … TWICE!!!
Make sure you understand what information the prompt is asking you for.
Use the prompt, commands and numbers, along with your starter sentence to make sure to completely answer all parts of the question.
Indent your response.
Use your best handwriting!
Use your best vocabulary skills, cite information from the text, and DO NOT be repetitive repetitive repetitive!
Re-read your response to check for easy fixes such as missing information, repetition, and spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.
Most importantly – BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!!!

12. Important Reminder:
Remember that graders are human. They may judge you on other elements besides the content of your answer, so always put forth your BEST effort.
Keep your handwriting as neat as possible.
Use correct spelling and grammar.
When in doubt make sure you explain yourself.

13. RAER read prompt ... Twice box … command words circle … numbers underline … vocabulary steal … starter sentence
I – indent
R – restate
A – answer
C – cite
E – explain

14. EXIT SLIP – FINISH LINE
Answer the following questions on the back of your RAER strategy practice.
To implement the RAER Strategy, you need to:
In the acronym IRACE, what does each of the following letters stand for?
1.) Read the prompt ________
6.) I = __________
2.) Box _______ words
7.) R = __________
3.) Circle ________
8.) A = __________
4.) Underline ________
9.) C = __________
5.) ________ your starter sentence!
10.) E = __________
BONUS: In one short paragraph (3-5 sentences), explain why spelling, grammar, and handwriting are so important when composing an extended response.