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

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,

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

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..."

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."

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."

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

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.

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.