Writing Responses to Open-Ended Questions

Answering an Open-Ended Question The first step is to thoroughly understand what the question is asking.

Literary Questions In “The Friendship,” what does Robert learn from his experience with Sergeant Masters? In “The Snob,” which character do you think is the snob? What is one conflict that Brian faces in “Brian’s Return”? Why does the author wait until the end of the story to reveal the truth about Mama’s bank account?

Expository Questions How would you evaluate Gallico’s honesty in telling his story? In “Growing Up in the U.S.,” how have the author’s experiences shaped his attitude toward others? Why are the memories of Willow Creek important to Rick Bass? Do you think Monroe made the right decision for his school in “A Real School”?

Crossover Questions What impact does the point of view have in “I Go Along” and “My Fight with Jack Dempsey”? How do the parents in “Las Papas” and “Growing Up in the U.S.” attempt to share their cultural heritage with their children? How does the idea of taking a risk apply to both “Long Walk to Forever” and “Human Story Machine”?

Example What is the role of Mrs. Benecke in “Contents of the Dead Man’s Pocket”? What is the question asking?

When a question asks about a character’s role in a story, it is asking what purpose the character serves. For example, a character could be: an antagonist or protagonist a source of conflict a foil (a contrast for another character) an observer a source of motivation

Once you’ve determined what the question is asking, it’s time to collect some information from the story.

Mrs. Benecke is mentioned a few times in the story: “ … and at this reminder of what his wife was doing he thought: Hot, hell – guilty conscience.” “ … he called, ‘Clare?’ When his wife answered, he said, ‘Sure you don’t mind going alone?’” “’No.’ Her voice was muffled, and he knew her head and shoulders were in the bedroom closet… She smiled at him – a slender, very pretty girl with light brown, almost blonde hair – her prettiness emphasized by the pleasant nature that showed in her face. ‘It’s just that I hate you to miss this movie; you wanted to see it too.’”

Continued “She nodded, accepting this. Then, glancing at the desk across the living room, she said, ‘You work too much, though, Tom – and too hard.’” “He smiled. ‘You won’t mind though, will you, when the money comes rolling in and I’m known as the Boy Wizard of Wholesale Groceries?’” “The realization suddenly struck him that he might have to wait here till Clare came home …” “He wished, then, that he had not allowed his wife to go off by herself tonight … He thought of all the evenings he had spent away from her, working; and he regretted them.” “ … and stepped out, to go find his wife.”

From these examples where Clare is mentioned, what can you determine her role in the story to be? Take a moment to discuss with your partner. You might want to look at those sections in your textbook for the situation surrounding these quotes.

Once you have the answer to the open-ended question, it’s time to develop your answer. Clare is used as an excuse for Tom’s workaholic tendencies. The next step is to choose the best evidence from the story to support your answer.

Evidence Based on the answer we’ve chosen, the following piece of textual evidence best supports that idea: “He smiled. ‘You won’t mind though, will you, when the money comes rolling in and I’m known as the Boy Wizard of Wholesale Groceries?’”

The next step is to provide the link between your answer and the textual evidence: Tom rationalizes that he is working long hours for Clare’s benefit.

Revise You may have to add some details to fully explain your answer and the textual support. Remember NOT to add new information without support from the text!!!

Response From these examples where Clare is mentioned, what can you determine her role in the story to be? Clare is used as an excuse for Tom’s workaholic tendencies. Tom rationalizes that he is working long hours for Clare’s benefit. “He smiled. ‘You won’t mind though, will you, when the money comes rolling in and I’m known as the Boy Wizard of Wholesale Groceries?’”(200)