What are Short Answers? Short answers are a response to a reading. They are used to make sure you understand the depth of the text. They check to make sure you can analyze what you’ve read. They must include text evidence, depth, and analysis in your response.

To BATDOG your short answer, you simply Borrow from the question. Answer the question. Use Text evidence to support your answer. Depth in analysis is present. Orbit back to the answer to connect the text evidence and answer to the analysis. Generalized statement is provided as last sentence.

Borrow from the question Repeat words or phrases from the question so that you are answering it directly and accurately. In the 1 st sentence:

Answer it Use a specific, complete sentence to answer to the question including a strong, clear opinion. Responses such as “yes,” “no,” or “because” will lead to destruction! 1 st sentence continued:

2 nd Sentence: Text Evidence Cite an example from the text, an embedded quotation, to support your answer. It MUST relate to your position! Throwing in a quote “just because” could be harmful! (that means an embedded quotation )

3rd Sentence: Depth in analysis Explain in depth why the answer is what it is.

4th Sentence: ORBIT back to answer by connecting the correct answer and text evidence to the reading. It’s all connected. You’ve returned to the question to make it all relate. The text evidence and depth of analysis relate to the reading.

5th Sentence: Generalized statement This sentence should make a generalized statement. It should be a thematic statement or “life lesson.”

BATDOG in Action: Let’s see BATDOG do its thing...

Example Question: What is one conflict Dorothy faces in The Wizard of Oz? Support your response with evidence from the selection. In The Wizard of Oz, one conflict Dorothy faces is overcoming her fear (Borrow & Answer). As she “follows the yellow brick road,” she’s “trembling like a leaf” before confronting the evil Wicked Witch of the East and the powerful Wizard (Text evidence). Dorothy’s determination in seeking out both Wizard and Witch is proof that she willingly encounters terrors to achieve her goal of getting back home (Depth). When she looks fear squarely in the face, she discovers that it's not the big scary monster she thought it was -- it's just a projection of her own concerns (Orbit back/ connect). Realizing that fear is just a state of mind helps Dorothy to overcome the conflict she has encountered thus returning home a stronger person (Generalized statement). Why is this response a 3?

What is a 0 (ZERO)? Whole answer is wrong Whole answer is confusing and vague Answers another question instead Answer only tells the plot

Example Question: What is one conflict Dorothy faces in The Wizard of Oz? Support your response with evidence from the selection. In The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy survives a tornado and lands in the world of Oz. After the Munchkins show her how to follow the yellow brick road, she meets several friends. They help protect her from the witch and find her way back home. Why is this response a 0?

What is a 1 (one)? Answer is correct but… –Evidence is missing –Evidence is wrong –Evidence is vague Evidence is good but… –Answer is missing –Answer is wrong –Answer is vague Note: Only give ONE answer for the question!

Example Question: What is one conflict Dorothy faces in The Wizard of Oz? Support your response with evidence from the selection. In The Wizard of Oz, one conflict Dorothy faces is overcoming her fear. Dorothy faces many dangerous situations in her journey to get back home. With the help of her friends, she is able to defeat the Wicked Witch of the West. Why is this response a 1?

What is a 2 (two)? Answers the question with an explanation Gives evidence to back up the answer that matches up with the answer –Quote, paraphrase, specific synopsis Does not provide depth, does not connect to answer, does not have a general statement.

Example Question: What is one conflict Dorothy faces in The Wizard of Oz? Support your response with evidence from the selection. In The Wizard of Oz, one conflict Dorothy faces is overcoming her fear. As she “follows the yellow brick road,” she’s “trembling like a leaf” before confronting the evil Wicked Witch of the East and the powerful Wizard. Why is this response a 2?

What is a 3 (three)? Strong and thoughtful text evidence Particularly thoughtful, insightful answer…has DEPTH. The analysis orbits back to the answer question and connects the text evidence to the reading. A generalized statement nicely concludes the answer.

Example Question: What is one conflict Dorothy faces in The Wizard of Oz? Support your response with evidence from the selection. In The Wizard of Oz, one conflict Dorothy faces is overcoming her fear (Borrow & Answer). As she “follows the yellow brick road,” she’s “trembling like a leaf” before confronting the evil Wicked Witch of the East and the powerful Wizard (Text evidence). Dorothy’s determination in seeking out both Wizard and Witch is proof that she willingly encounters terrors to achieve her goal of getting back home (Depth). When she looks fear squarely in the face, she discovers that it's not the big scary monster she thought it was -- it's just a projection of her own concerns (Orbit back/ connect). Realizing that fear is just a state of mind helps Dorothy to overcome the conflict she has encountered thus returning home a stronger person (Generalized statement). Why is this response a 3?

Now, you can do it with a little help from BATDOG ! BRING IT! STAAR TEST! I SEE A 3 IN MY FUTURE!!!