How to Write a Paragraph Essay Response R.A.C.E. How to Write a Paragraph Essay Response

R - Restate The person reading your answer should be able to understand exactly what you are talking about without seeing the question. This information can be found right in the question!

A - Answer Give a specific answer to the question. This should be short and concise (to the point). Your answer may or may not come directly from the story or text. It may be your own opinionated statement based on how you interpret the text. The “R” and the “A” can be in the same sentence.

C - Cite Cite EVIDENCE (exact words/specific examples) from the text that support your answer. If you use someone else’s exact words, you need to use quotation marks. Make sure you choose evidence that best supports your answer.

E - Explain Explain your own personal understanding of this information and how it supports your answer. For example: consider what this might mean for the characters, theme, or conflict in the story. Connect the information to a greater understanding about life, love, relationships, conflict, etc.

Example from Test: In I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Mrs. Flowers has a significant effect on the author. Write an essay in which you describe the author’s thoughts and feelings during her visit with Mrs. Flowers. Then, explain what you think the author learns from the older woman.

R - Restate Maya Angelou shows the significant effect that Mrs. Flowers had on her in her description of their first visit and the lessons she taught her.

A - Answer Angelou was enchanted by her visit with her.

C - Cite Angelou described feeling special because Mrs. Flowers had baked cookies just for her. She was surprised that Mrs. Flowers ate like a normal person and had ice for her lemonade. When Mrs. Flowers started reading out loud from a novel, she said that her voice sounded musical.

E - Explain One of the biggest lessons that Mrs. Flowers taught her was the importance of speaking words aloud. She wanted Angelou to speak up in class, but she also helped Angelou find her own special voice in the world.

All Together! Maya Angelou shows the significant effect that Mrs. Flowers had on her in her description of their first visit and the lessons she taught her. Angelou was enchanted by her visit with her. She described feeling special because Mrs. Flowers had baked cookies just for her. She was surprised that Mrs. Flowers ate like a normal person and had ice for her lemonade. When Mrs. Flowers started reading out loud from a novel, she said that her voice sounded musical. One of the biggest lessons that Mrs. Flowers taught her was the importance of speaking words aloud. She wanted Angelou to speak up in class, but she also helped Angelou find her own special voice in the world.

Things to Avoid: Do not write informally. Do not use wrong subject-verb agreement. Do not write RUN-ON SENTENCES!! Do not use text speak or slang words like the following: gonna, kinda, etc. Do not use phrases like “I kind of think…”, Maybe, etc. Write answers with confidence!