1. Writing With A.C.E.S

2. What is A.C.E.S. and Its Importance?
The What…
A=Answer Question or Address Issue
C=Cite Evidence to PROVE answer
E=Elaborate to Explain Evidence and its importance
S = Sum up main point and provide closure

3. What is A.C.E.S. and Its Importance?
The What…
A=Answer (respond to prompt)
C=Cite Evidence (give credit)
E=Elaborate (prove you “get it”)
S = Sum it up (provide closure)

4. What is A.C.E.S. and Its Importance?
The What…
A=Answer C=Cite Evidence E=Elaborate S = Sum it up
On the state exam…
On the final exam, you will have Constructed Responses. You will use ACES to answer those constructed response questions.

5. Sample Question:
How does the author’s use of language contribute to the larger theme of the story?

6. Breaking down the prompt:
How does the author’s (will need to cite source---author’s name and title of work) use of language (will need to give a specific, quoted example from the text) contribute to the larger theme (will have to identify the theme AND explain how previous example supports it) of the story?

7. The Breakdown: “A” ANSWER
Key Points to Remember
A= Assertion (What is YOUR ANSWER to the question?)
Break down prompt: what are you being asked?
Restate question using key words in response
Constructed Response Question: How does the author’s use of language contribute to the larger theme of the story?
Author Sandra Cisneros uses similes and hyperbole to help convey meaning in her story “Eleven.”

8. The Breakdown: “C” Cite Evidence
This figurative language can be seen when Rachel discovers her birthday isn’t going to be the occasion she initially thought. She tells readers “the way you grow old is kind of like an onion,” and that is why “today I wish I was one hundred and two instead of eleven because…I’d would’ve known what to say…”
Cite Evidence
Key Points to Remember
C= cite specific text evidence to prove your assertion
Provide DIRECT QUOTE from the selection that SUPPORT your assertion (must be relevant and accurate)
There must always be TWO PIECES of evidence.
SUMMARY can be your friend or enemy.

9. The Breakdown: “C” Cite Evidence Example starters: When the author…
This can be seen when…
for example 
for instance 
specifically 
The first (second, another, etc.) example/reason is . . .
Cite Evidence
Key Points to Remember
C= cite specific text evidence to prove your assertion
Provide DIRECT QUOTE from the selection that SUPPORT your assertion (must be relevant and accurate)
There must always be TWO PIECES of evidence.
SUMMARY can be your friend or enemy.

10. The Breakdown: “E” ELABORATE / EXPLAIN
Key Points to Remember
E= Explain your proof/conclude
Significance/Analysis: thoughts and interpretations from your own head based on the evidence you provided.
Your explanation is an original thought! Show us what you know:
What is the author teaching us?
Why did they make the choices they made?
What about the world are they pointing out to us.
The narrator’s thoughts show her desire to be more mature and prepared to face a challenge she feels is beyond her 11 years of experience. Such comparisons and exaggerations in her language show that despite her age, she can still share wisdom on what it is like to grow up. Ultimately Rachel discovers the old adage that age is more than just a number, a major theme of the work.

11. The Breakdown: “E” EXPLAIN Example starters:
Key Points to Remember
E= Explain your proof/conclude
Significance/Analysis: thoughts and interpretations from your own head based on the evidence you provided.
Your explanation is an original thought! Show us what you know:
What is the author teaching us?
Why did they make the choices they made?
What about the world are they pointing out to us.
Example starters:
These examples help the author…
The author uses ________ to help the readers…
The quotations show the way the author…

12. The Breakdown: “S” SUM IT UP Example starters: S= Sum it up
Key Points to Remember
S= Sum it up
Reiterate your main point/assertion
Link the summary statement to the opening sentence (A):
What does the evidence prove?
How does the evidence show the initial answer is correct?
Example starters:
As shown, …
Ultimately, …
As a result of, ___, readers can see that ____

13. Author Sandra Cisneros uses similes and hyperbole to help convey meaning in her story “Eleven.” This figurative language can be seen when Rachel discovers her birthday isn’t going to be the occasion she initially thought it would be. She tells readers “the way you grow old is kind of like an onion,” and that is why “today I wish I was one hundred and two instead of eleven because…I’d would’ve known what to say when Mrs. Price put the red sweater on my desk.” The narrator’s thoughts show her desire to be more mature and prepared to face a challenge she feels is beyond her 11 years of experience. Such comparisons and exaggerations in her language show that despite her age, she can still share wisdom on what it is like to grow up. Ultimately Rachel discovers the old adage that age is more than just a number, a major theme of the work.

14. Constructed Response Rubric
Basic ACES Rubric Points Possible
A—Answers question/Addresses issue: /5
C—Cites specific evidence with text example: /5
E—Explains and elaborates on example’s significance: /5
S—Summarizes the paragraph’s main point/brings closure: /5
CNV—Conventions and Organiztion: /5
(correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, and organization—
LOOKS like a paragraph)
Credits Source (author/speaker/title): /5  
Point Options:
0 = missing 3= partial 5 = perfect Total: /30
*Note: You may receive a score of a “0” if your work is illegible or unoriginal.