Writing the Open-ended Response Independent Lesson

What is It?

Definition An open-ended response is a short essay/paragraph that answers a question on the PSSA or teacher-made test. You must write your answer on the lines provided.

Check your understanding. Answer true or false to the following questions.

1. You can find open-ended questions on all types of tests. True 2. Multiple choice questions are considered open-ended question. False

3. Open-ended responses require you to write as well as know the answer to the question. True 4. For open-ended responses, you must understand the question extremely well. True

How did you do? Click on the number you got right from the choices below. 4 right click hereclick here 3 right click hereclick here 2 right click hereclick here 1 right click hereclick here

YEAH!

You’ll do better next time.

Let’s learn more! There is a really easy way to make sure you get full credit for open- ended responses.

Use the open-ended response format.

Format Title of work by author’s name phrase from the prompt. The first example of word from the prompt is ________________ because details from the passage. The second example of word from the prompt is ______________ because detail from the passage.

Confused? Let me explain… First, mention the title. Next, mention the author’s name. Then, rephrase the question. Then give examples from what you read.

Did you read that slide?

Read it again to be sure! Let me explain… First, mention the title. Next, mention the author’s name. Then, rephrase the question. Then give examples from what you read.

Let’s imagine… Let’s say you get a prompt that reads like this: In the story The Wizard of Oz, the author uses a lot of his imagination. Many things happen in the story that really wouldn’t happen in real life. Write about three ways the author uses imagination.

How should you answer that question?

Watch how easy it is.

Example The Wizard of Oz by Frank Baum contained three examples of imagination. The first example of imagination was when Dorothy’s house flew through the air and landed in a different place. The second example was when she met a whole town of “little people” called Munchkins. The third example of imagination was when the Scarecrow and Tin man became alive and the lion talked. The Wizard of Oz by Frank Baum contained three examples of imagination. The first example of imagination was when Dorothy’s house flew through the air and landed in a different place. The second example was when she met a whole town of “little people” called Munchkins. The third example of imagination was when the Scarecrow and Tin man became alive and the lion talked.

A closer look.. Step One: mention the title The Wizard of Oz The Wizard of Oz Step Two: mention the author by Frank Baum

Continued… Step Three: use 3 examples from the passage The first example of imagination was when Dorothy’s house flew through the air and landed in a different place. The second example was when she met a whole town of “little people” called Munchkins. The third example of imagination was when the Scarecrow and Tin man became alive and the lion talked.

It’s easy. If you follow those three simple steps each time, you’ll get a good score.

Let’s Review. Step One: Mention the title of the passage. Step One: Mention the title of the passage. Step Two: Mention the author of the passage. Step Two: Mention the author of the passage. Step Three: Write one sentence about each example or reason from the passage to answer the question. Step Three: Write one sentence about each example or reason from the passage to answer the question.

Your Turn!

Click the box and read the passage. Once you have read the passage, exit out of the story and go to the next slide.

Answer the questions. Note, any time you need to re-read the passage, click on the button at the bottom of the screen and it will take you back to the story. Click here to read the passage Click here to read the passage

The Question. After reading the passage, what would be a different title for this story? List two things from the passage that support your choice.

What would you do? Following the pattern that you learned, what would the first line of your answer look like? Following the pattern that you learned, what would the first line of your answer look like? Come up with what you would write and then, on the next slide, click the best choice. Come up with what you would write and then, on the next slide, click the best choice. click here to read the passage click here to read the passage

Which is the best choice? After reading “The Iditarod Sled Dog Race” by Dan Knapp, I think a better title would be “The Most Challenging Race of All”. After reading “The Iditarod Sled Dog Race” by Dan Knapp, I think a better title would be “The Most Challenging Race of All”. After reading this story, I think a better title would be “The Most Challenging Race of All”. After reading this story, I think a better title would be “The Most Challenging Race of All”.

YEAH! CONGRATULATIONS! This is the best choice because it lists the title, the author’s name and rephrases the questions into a sentence. click here to go on

OOPS! SORRY. This is NOT the best choice because it doesn’t include the original title and author’s name.

Click on the best choice for the next sentence. The first reason I believe that title would be best is because the race takes anywhere from 10 days to two weeks. The first reason I believe that title would be best is because the race takes anywhere from 10 days to two weeks. The race sounds very hard because it’s so The race sounds very hard because it’s so cold out. cold out. Click here to read Click here to read the story. the story.

GOOD FOR YOU! That’s the best choice for the next sentence. Click here to go on. Click here to go on.

I’M SORRY. That sentence doesn’t follow the format or use examples from the story. Click here to go on. Click here to go on.

Keep going. There’s another reason that I There’s another reason that I like my title better. It’s fun. like my title better. It’s fun. The second reason I chose this title is because the race goes over 1,000 miles. The second reason I chose this title is because the race goes over 1,000 miles. Click here to read story. Click here to read story.

Sorry. Keep trying. This answer This answer explain why the explain why the race is challenging race is challenging like the title says. like the title says. Click here to go on. Click here to go on.

You did it! That is the best That is the best choice because choice because it supports the it supports the title choice. It explains the title choice. It explains the “challenging” “challenging” part of the title. part of the title.

HOW DID YOU DO?

Let’s put it all together. After reading “The Iditarod Sled Dog Race” by Dan Knapp, I think a better title would be “The Most Challenging Race of All”. The first reason I believe that title would be best is because the race takes anywhere from 10 days to two weeks. The second reason I chose this title is because the race goes over 1,000 miles.

Makes sense, doesn’t it?

Practice Exercises

Practice 1 Read the story that is linked below. Once you’ve read it, answer the question on the next slide. Write your answer on paper and turn it in. You can return to the story at any time by clicking on the link in the bottom right corner.

Practice 1 - prompt Do you believe that Gebel is guilty of animal abuse? Use 2 examples from the story to support your opinion. Remember, write your answer on paper and turn it in.

Take this with you. Now that you know how to answer open-ended responses, use this format on all test questions that require you to write out an answer. Use it especially on the PSSA reading and writing tests.