3 Point Answers
In the past, you may have used the mnemonics "ROPE" or
"RARE" to help you remember the pieces of a decent open-ended response.
However, it's time to step up your game...
In order
to score at least a 3 out of 4, all of the following must be done:
-
Summarize the basic idea of the text
IN RELATION TO the question - include author's full name and title of text.
(1 sentence)
-
Restate the question in your answer -
turn the question into a statement.
(3/4
of a sentence)
-
Give your opinion about what a good answer
would be by finishing the statement.
(1/4 of a sentence)
-
Give some context for proof (see next step)
(1-2
sentences)
-
Prove your opinion is correct by
pointing out specific details from the reading. (1-2
sentences)
-
Explain, clearly and concisely, why the details you chose are important, how
those details prove your opinion, and/or what those details should reveal to
the reader.
(1-2 sentences)
A 3 also
requires clear and controlled writing.
All told, you can create a good answer
with 4 to 6 sentences.
If any
of these are not done, it is not possible to get a 3 or a 4.
Mnemonic for
answering open-ended questions -
S-ROCPE-X
"Dude, my pex are like rocs!"
In order to use these mnemonics correctly, you first have to
break down the open-ended question.
To get a 3 ("Passing, but not outstanding"), you must do all
of the following:
- Summarize the text
- Provide an EXTREMELY brief (1 sentence) summary of the MAIN IDEA
(nonfiction) or MAIN ACTION (fiction) of the text.
- Restate the question
- include part of the question in your answer. It's best to
avoid
beginning with "Yes" or "No".
- Answer the question
- Give your answer to the question; this is your opinion
about what the correct answer is. Try to include your
own phrasing and word choice. Try to
avoid writing "I think" - just
give your opinion as though it were a fact.
- There are ALWAYS multiple parts to the open-ended question
- make sure you answer each part!
- Context! - Give the
reader some context for the proof you will provide in the next step:
- If your proof is dialogue, give the speaker's name
and a brief summary of the situation that leads the speaker to say the
words.
- If your proof is narration, give a brief summary
of the situation that leads to the narrator's words.
- Prove it! -
- Get specific details
from the piece of reading to support your position. You should ALWAYS
include more than one detail from the
reading.
- Using a quotation is the best proof you can have in
writing. Be sure to include the author's name (if available) and the
page OR the paragraph number
the quote is from.
- Explain/Elaborate-
- Explain how you arrived at your conclusions based on the
proof you found in the story. How did those details you provided
convince you that your opinion was correct?
- You can also elaborate on your answer, adding your own
analysis of why your proof and your answer are the best answer.
REMEMBER: Doing these
steps correctly will get you 3 out of 4 points. If you want to get 4 out
of 4, you need
something extra...
Here's a good 3 point response.
Here's how you go beyond a 3
4 Point Rubric