A brief tutorial for teaching steps for building a long constructed response

 Breaking down these steps to students and becoming comfortable with this process will pay huge dividends in their writing.

 Although somewhat formulaic, it is a very helpful tool, and will get students past the scary 'deer in the headlights' stage when faced with writing a thesis-based essay. Some of the techniques used here will need to be taught - like "transitions or linking words/phrases". Properly used transitions can act like a life raft for students struggling to join different ideas and thoughts. 

Although I've modified this somewhat - it is not my tutorial. This comes from Georgia Department of Education, Smekens Education.  Accessed online on 12/9/2020 at https://www.liberty.k12.ga.us/pdf/TandL/ELA_GMAS_BuildingStudentSuccesswithConstructedResponse6_12.pdf  

 

Steps for building a long constructed response

1. Interpreting the prompt

2. Analyzing the text to find evidence

3. Making a plan to organize evidence

4. Writing the response

5. Revising

 

The Critical Process

•Modeling: I do one, you’ll watch.

•Guided practice: I do one, you’ll help.

•Gradual release: You do one, I’ll help.

•Independent practice: You do one, I’ll watch.

 

Step 1: Interpreting the Prompt

•Read/underline important words and phrases to determine the type of writing needed: narrative, informational or opinion

•Identify the background information, the task or request (analyze, explain, compare...), and the type of evidence needed (details from text, personal experience, information from multiple texts, etc.)

•Summarize and restate the prompt in your own words

 

Step 2: Analyzing the Text to Find Evidence

•Skim text to find evidence to support the response

•Refer to close reading notes to find specific words/phrases rather than re-reading entire passage

•Look at text features and structures for evidence

 

Step 3: Making a Plan to Organize Evidence

•Create a general answer to the question or state the main idea (thesis statement)

–Example …The four professionals in this article were interested in their careers at early ages, faced challenges, and realized their dream jobs.

–The four professionals in this article stuck with their dreams over time.

–The four professionals in this article committed themselves to lifelong journeys in their chosen fields.

 

Step 3: Making a Plan to Organize Evidence

•Organize evidence by category, chronological order, cause-effect, etc. to match the task

Example –

Four body paragraphs, one for each professional—evidence on their early interest, their challenges, and how they realized their dream will make up the details for each paragraph.

 

Step 4: Writing the Response

•Opening starts with main idea sentence, the thesis statement which answers the question/prompt

•Use evidence to create sentences/body paragraphs that support the main idea

•Close with a summary or conclusion or solution that answers the question in different words

 

Opening paragraph

•Main idea and thesis statement for entire piece

•Includes supporting details to introduce main points

 

Body Sentences or Paragraphs

Three steps for writing the supporting body paragraphs:

•Expand each similarity into one or more sentences.

•Cite by mentioning text.

•Quote by writing exact words in quotation marks.

 

Closing Paragraph

1.     Summarize the main points.

2. Draw a conclusion.

3. Frame your response from the introductory paragraph in terms of your thesis.

 

Step 5: Revising

Re-read the prompt and your response

•Include transition or linking words/phrases

•Check capitalization, agreement (subj/verb), punctuation, and spelling