HOW TO WRITE HOW TO WRITE CONSTRUCTED CONSTRUCTED RESPONSE RESPONSE ANSWERS…ANSWERS…

……and not lose your and not lose your mind!mind!

What are constructed What are constructed response questions?response questions?

Some people call them essay Some people call them essay questions.questions.

They require you to write at least They require you to write at least one paragraph.one paragraph.

Sometimes you have to use old Sometimes you have to use old information in a new, creative way.information in a new, creative way.

Where will you find Where will you find constructed response constructed response questions?questions?

Classroom testsClassroom tests

MEA questionsMEA questions

How can you recognize a How can you recognize a constructed response constructed response question?question?

Carefully read the question.Carefully read the question.

Look for words like Look for words like

EXPLAINEXPLAIN DESCRIBE DESCRIBE

COMPARE COMPARE CONTRASTCONTRAST

DISCUSSDISCUSS

Danger! Danger!Danger! Danger!Never make a list for an Never make a list for an answer to a constructed answer to a constructed

response question!response question!

So how do you write a good So how do you write a good constructed response constructed response answer?answer?

Check out the following slides for Check out the following slides for some good ideas!some good ideas!

STEP 1STEP 1 READ THE QUESTION SLOWLY AND READ THE QUESTION SLOWLY AND

CAREFULLY.CAREFULLY.

READ THE QUESTION SLOWLY AND READ THE QUESTION SLOWLY AND CAREFULLY.CAREFULLY.

READ THE QUESTIONS SLOWLY READ THE QUESTIONS SLOWLY AND CAREFULLY.AND CAREFULLY.

STEP 2STEP 2Now you’re ready to begin your Now you’re ready to begin your

answer.answer.

Your first sentence should restate the Your first sentence should restate the question, but not answer it.question, but not answer it.

Example: Why do students get excited Example: Why do students get excited about vacation?about vacation?

How would you answer this question?How would you answer this question?

BAD EXAMPLEBAD EXAMPLE

STUDENTS GET EXCITED ABOUT STUDENTS GET EXCITED ABOUT VACATION BECAUSE THEY LIKE FREE VACATION BECAUSE THEY LIKE FREE TIME AND SLEEPING LATE.TIME AND SLEEPING LATE.

You’ve answered so much in your first You’ve answered so much in your first sentence, that you have nowhere to go. sentence, that you have nowhere to go. It’s hard to add more ideas, when It’s hard to add more ideas, when you’ve said so much in your first you’ve said so much in your first sentence.sentence.

GOOD EXAMPLEGOOD EXAMPLE

STUDENTS GET EXCITED ABOUT STUDENTS GET EXCITED ABOUT VACATION FOR SEVERAL REASONS.VACATION FOR SEVERAL REASONS.

Now you’ve gotten started, and you Now you’ve gotten started, and you also know how to keep going by also know how to keep going by adding more details in the rest of adding more details in the rest of your sentences.your sentences.

STEP 3STEP 3 Add detailAdd detail Add more detailsAdd more details And add more detailsAnd add more details

This part is really pretty easy!This part is really pretty easy!

Good idea…Good idea…

It’s usually a good idea to use the following It’s usually a good idea to use the following words to make your middle sentences go words to make your middle sentences go together better:together better:

FirstFirst SecondSecond For For instanceinstance

On one hand…on the other handOn one hand…on the other hand

In the first place…in the second place…In the first place…in the second place…

ThenThen NowNow NextNext

HoweverHowever AfterwardAfterward FinallyFinally

STEP 4STEP 4

Write an ending sentence. You can Write an ending sentence. You can start your last sentence by using start your last sentence by using these words:these words:

In conclusionIn conclusion As a resultAs a result

ConsequentlyConsequently ThereforeTherefore

STEP 5STEP 5

Read your answer. Fix any mistakes Read your answer. Fix any mistakes in spelling, capitalization, in spelling, capitalization, grammar, and punctuation. Make grammar, and punctuation. Make sure all the letters in all the words sure all the letters in all the words are written clearly.are written clearly.

STEP 6STEP 6

Read your answer one more time.Read your answer one more time.

Does it answer the question?Does it answer the question?

Does it make sense?Does it make sense?

Does it say what you mean?Does it say what you mean?

HERE’S A SUMMARY OF ALL 6 HERE’S A SUMMARY OF ALL 6 STEPS:STEPS:

1.1. Read the question slowly and carefully.Read the question slowly and carefully.

2.2. Your first sentence should restate the Your first sentence should restate the question, but not answer it.question, but not answer it.

3.3. Add detail, after detail, then more Add detail, after detail, then more details.details.

4.4. Write an ending sentence.Write an ending sentence.

5.5. Read your answer and fix all mechanical Read your answer and fix all mechanical errors.errors.

6.6. Read your answer for meaning.Read your answer for meaning.

HERE’S ONE FINAL HERE’S ONE FINAL QUESTION:QUESTION:

Practice all 6 steps on your own. Practice all 6 steps on your own. When you finish, give your answer When you finish, give your answer to your teacher for a grade.to your teacher for a grade.

Question: What would happen to life Question: What would happen to life on earth without the sun?on earth without the sun?