1. R.A.C.E.R Method R. Restate the question A. Answer all parts
C. Cite using textual evidence
E. Explain how the evidence supports your answer
R. Reflect by making a connection

2. RESTATE Restate the Question or Prompt This is your topic sentence
What are you writing about? (Do not write “I am writing about…..”) Make a statement from the actual words of the prompt or question.

3. ANSWER Answer the question or prompt with your opinion or idea.
Add this opinion or idea to your restated topic sentence.
What do you think or know? Be bold. Write it and PROVE it

4. CITE Cite the text to PROVE or SUPPORT your answer (opinion/idea).
Go back in the story and “QUOTE” the text exactly.

5. WAYS TO CITE TEXT According to the text, “
On page 6 the author states, “
The best example is when the author writes “
The author paints the following picture “
The character thought “
The character demonstrates this by saying “

6. EXPLAIN Explain with your own words how the text proves your answer.
WEAVE your words with the “text words.”
REMEMBER to conclude by rewording your topic sentence.

7. How to Transition into your explanation
This demonstrates…
This illustrates…
This explains…
This proves that…

8. REFLECT Expand on your answer by connecting to the text.
Connections must relate to the answer not just the story.
Only use Text-to-Text or Text-to- World Connections. Try your best not to use Text-to-Self.

9. HOW TO MAKE A CONNECTION
Text-to-text:
What does this remind me of in another book I’ve read? 
How is this text similar to other things I’ve read? 
How is this different from other books I’ve read?
Have I read about something like this before?
Text-to-world:
What does this remind me of in the real world?
How is this text similar to things that happen in the real world? 
How is this different from things that happen in the real world? 
How did that part relate to the world around me?
Text-to-self: What does this remind me of from my own life? How is this similar to myself or my life? How did this relate to me or my life?

10. WAYS TO START YOUR CONNECTIONS
This part reminds me of....

This book reminds me of...(another text) because....

I can relate to...(part of text) because one time....

This event is similar to (world event) because…
Something similar happened to me when....

11. MAKING DEEPER CONNECTIONS
Good connections that enhance understanding: 
When I was in second grade, I moved to a new school like Shirley did.  I remember feeling like everyone ignored me and missing my home, so I can relate to what she’s going through.
Surface-level connections that are merely “there”:
Shirley likes the Dodgers.  So do I.

12. Open-Ended Response Set Up
Paragraph 1-
Answer first question.
Use R.A.C.E.
4-6 sentences.
Paragraph 2-
Answer second question.
Paragraph 3-
Reflect by making a connection.
2-3 sentences.