Open Response Writing
Follow these 10 steps to help you write a great
Open Response answer.
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Read Question Carefully
Write Response Using Map
Take Notes/Map Out
Restate Question
Paragraph Response
Repeat Key Words
Complete Thesis
Read Passage
Highlight Keywords
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9
Reread and Edit
Literacy Initiative
• Who? All NVVA students grades K-12
• What? Develop strategy for open-response writing
• When? Monthly
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October: English
November 3rd through November 14th: Social Science
November 17th through November 28th: Science
December 1st through December 12th: Math
December 15th through January 9th: Business / Tech / Electives
• Where? Class Connects
• Why? Writing is a skill essential
to progression in school and career.
10 Step Process
1. Read the question carefully
2. Highlight key words and underline important information 3. Restate question as a thesis (leaving blanks).
4. Read the passage carefully.
5. Take notes that respond to the question.
10 Step Process
6. Complete your thesis.
7. Write your response carefully, using your map as a guide.
8. Strategically repeat key words from thesis in your body and in your end sentence.
9. Paragraph your response
10.Reread and edit your response.
Step 1
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Read Question Carefully
Write Response Using Map
Take Notes/Map Out
Restate Question
Paragraph Response
Repeat Key Words
Complete Thesis
Read Passage
Highlight Keywords
10
9
Reread and Edit
1. Read the Question Carefully
Be sure to determine what the question is asking.
After reading the short story, “The
Secret Life of Walter Mitty” by James Thurber, identify the narrator’s attitude towards his life, and explain how he reveals that attitude. Use relevant and specific evidence from the text to support your response.
Step 2
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Write Response Using Map
Take Notes/Map Out
Restate Question
Highlight Keywords
Paragraph Response
Repeat Key Words
Complete Thesis
Read Passage
Read Question Carefully
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9
Reread and Edit
2. Highlight key words
• In the question identify and highlight key words to stress what the question is asking.
• Think about the meaning of each key word
• Remember that some information in a question is irrelevant to finding the answer.
After reading the short story, “The Secret Life of
Walter Mitty” by James Thurber, identify the narrator’s attitude towards his life, and explain how he reveals that attitude. Use relevant and specific evidence from the text to support your response.
Step 3
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Read Question Carefully
Write Response Using Map
Take Notes/Map Out
Restate Question
Paragraph Response
Repeat Key Words
Complete Thesis
Read Passage
Highlight Keywords
10
9
Reread and Edit
3. Restate the question as a thesis
• When restating the question as a thesis remember to leave blanks to fill in.
• In the book Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Suess, analyze
Sam I Am’s attitude toward trying the eggs and ham. Use details from the passage to support your response.
• Sam I Am’s attitude toward trying the eggs and ham is
_______________________. This is evident because
________________, _______________, _____________.
3.
After reading the short story, “The Secret
Life of Walter Mitty” by James Thurber, identify the narrator’s attitude towards his life, and explain how he reveals that attitude. Use relevant and specific evidence from the text to support your response.
The narrator’s attitude toward his life is
_______________________. This is evident because
________________, _______________,
_____________.
Step 4
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Read Question Carefully
Write Response Using Map
Take Notes/Map Out
Restate Question
Paragraph Response
Repeat Key Words
Complete Thesis
Read Passage
Highlight Keywords
10
9
Reread and Edit
4. Read the passage carefully
– Keep the question in mind
We will be using the close reading we did over the last two days of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Step 5
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Read Question Carefully
Write Response Using Map
Take Notes/Map Out
Restate Question
Paragraph Response
Repeat Key Words
Complete Thesis
Read Passage
Underline Keywords
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9
Reread and Edit
5. Take notes that respond to the question
Thesis
Body Paragraph 1
Body Paragraph 2
Body Paragraph 3
Topic Sentence
Topic Sentence
Topic Sentence
Transitions
Transitions
Transitions
Quote
Quote
Quote
Analysis (Explanation)
Analysis (Explanation)
Analysis (Explanation)
Wrap Up
Wrap Up
Wrap Up
Conclusion
Step 6
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Read Question Carefully
Repeat Key Words
Write Response Using Map
Take Notes/Map Out
Restate Question
Paragraph Response
Complete Thesis
Read Passage
Highlight Keywords
10
9
Reread and Edit
6. Complete the thesis
• The narrator’s attitude toward his life is
_______________________. This is evident because ________________,
_______________, _____________.
Step 7
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Read Question Carefully
Write Response Using Map
Take Notes/Map Out
Restate Question
Paragraph Response
Repeat Key Words
Complete Thesis
Read Passage
Highlight Keywords
10
9
Reread and Edit
7. Write your response carefully using your map. Thesis
Body Paragraph 1
Transition:
Topic:
Quotation:
Explain:
Wrap-up:
Body Paragraph 2
Transition:
Topic:
Quotation:
Explain:
Wrap-up:
Conclusion
Body Paragraph 3
Transition:
Topic:
Quotation:
Explain:
Wrap-up:
Step 8
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Read Question Carefully
Write Response Using Map
Take Notes/Map Out
Restate Question
Paragraph Response
Repeat Key Words
Complete Thesis
Read Passage
Highlight Keywords
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9
Reread and Edit
8. Strategically repeat key words
• Use them in all 3 aspects of the essay:
Introduction, Body, and Conclusion
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Reread and Edit
Paragraph Response
Step 9
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Take Notes/Map Out
Restate Question
Read Question Carefully
Write Response Using Map
Complete Thesis
Read Passage
Highlight Keywords
Repeat Key Words
9. Paragraph your response
Step 10
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Read Question Carefully
Write Response Using Map
Take Notes/Map Out
Restate Question
Paragraph Response
Repeat Key Words
Complete Thesis
Read Passage
Highlight Keywords
10
9
Reread and Edit
10. Re-read and edit your response
• If time allows, re-read your response and edit for continuity
Congratulations! You made it to the top!!
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Read Question Carefully
Write Response Using Map
Take Notes/Map Out
Restate Question
Paragraph Response
Repeat Key Words
Complete Thesis
Read Passage
Highlight Keywords
10
9
Reread and Edit