Understanding Text-Dependent Questions (TDQs) and Writing a

Response to Text

Steps in the Process -- Constructed Response

• Understand the constructed response question • Use text features and clue words to find evidence

in a text• Record evidence in a text• Organize evidence and make a plan for written

response• Write a topic sentence that includes the big idea• Write evidence to support the topic sentence• Write a conclusion by restating the big idea• Revise the constructed response

Understanding Understanding the Questionthe Question

Grammar

Usage

Sentence

Structure

Read the

Question

Underline the

important words and phrases

Say, I need to _____ to answer

this question

Find all

evidence

Write a

short phras

e

Use clues in the text

Underline the

evidence

Look at text features to find a starting point

Use text features and clue words to

find evidence in text

Record evidence found in the text

Organize the

evidence and

make a plan for written

response

Put notes in an order that

makes sense

Write answe

r to question in a

box

List your

evidence in the box with

bullets

Look at your big

idea and

evidence

Ask yourself what

it means to you

Write evidenc

e to support

the topic

sentence

Write a topic

sentence that

includes the big

idea

Write a conclusion by re-stating the big

idea

Underline the

parts of the

question that you can turn

into a statemen

t

Write each of

your bullet

points in a

sentence using

your own words

Combine the

question parts

with the big idea

Write a sentence

that uses the big idea

and summarizes the

evidence

Use a different beginnin

g for each

sentence

Re-read the

question or

prompt

6 TraitsIdeas

OrganizationVoice

Word ChoiceSentence Fluency

Conventions

Re-read the

answer to make sure it fully

answers the

question

Check answer with an eye for

corrections

Re-read the answer

to make sure it fully

answers the

question… again!

Mechanics

Finding the Finding the EvidenceEvidence Making a PlanMaking a Plan Writing the Writing the

SentencesSentencesRevisingRevising

Constructed Response

Graphic Created by

Mrs. Brigman, McIntosh

County(based on

Learn Zillon Process)

How can you really know what a question is asking?

• Thank You, Ma’am

–What was the woman’s initial reaction when the boy tried to snatch her purse?

1. Understanding the Question1. Read the question.2. Underline important words and phrases3. Think about how you will need to answer the

question.– With a list of facts– With an opinion/argument supported with facts– With an inference about the text– With an explanation supported through facts• Cause and effect Problem and solution• Compare and contrast Informational

1. Read the Question

What was the woman’s initial reaction when the boy tried to snatch her purse?

Common Mistake

Quickly reading the question without taking the time to figure out exactly what it is asking.

This question is

about…

Common Mistake

Quickly reading the question without taking the time to figure out exactly what it is asking.

Wait! What do I have to do?

This question is

about…

2. Underline important words and phrases

What was the woman’s initial reaction when the boy tried to snatch her purse?

2. Underline important words and phrases

What was the woman’s initial reaction when the boy tried to snatch her purse?

What….listInitial reaction….First things she didWoman/boy….whoSnatch purse…what

3. Think about how you will need to answer the question.

What was the woman’s initial reaction when the boy tried to snatch her purse?

I need to list the first things Mrs. Jones did as soon Roger tried to snatch her

purse.

3. Think about how you will need to answer the question.

What was the woman’s initial reaction when the boy tried to snatch her purse?

I need to list the first things Mrs. Jones did as soon Roger

tried to snatch her purse.

2. Use text features and clue words to find evidence in text

• How can you find the answer to an open ended question in text?

What was the woman’s initial reaction when the boy tried to

snatch her purse?

Use text features and clue words to find evidence in text

• How can you find the answer to an open ended question in text?

What was the woman’s initial reaction when the boy tried to

snatch her purse?

I need to find the woman’s reaction to the boy trying to steal her

purse from the text without copying

information word for word.

What is evidence?

• Evidence is information you find in the text that will help support your answer.– NOTE: Be careful about plagiarizing

what you underline or write down!

2. Use text features and clue words to find evidence in text

1. Look at text features to find a starting point.2. Use clues in the text.3. Find all evidence.– Underline evidence if you are allowed to write on

the paper.

Informational Text Features

• Table of contents• Index• Glossary• Titles• Subheadings• Text – Bold, color, Italics

• Photographs, Illustrations

• Captions• Textbox• Maps• Diagrams• Tables• timelines

Informational Reading Chart

Common Mistake

Stop skimming when you find a little evidence.

Aha! I found some evidence! I’m done!

Wait! Is there more?

Use text features and clue words to find evidence in text

1. Look at text features to find a starting point2. Use clues in the text3. Find all evidence

3. Record Evidence in a Text

• How can you record evidence found in text?1. Underline the evidence if possible2. Write a short phrase, not a sentence

• Common Mistake– Writing or underlining too much

4.Organize the evidence and make a plan for written response

• How can I organize my ideas before I start writing?– Put your evidence in an order that makes sense– List your evidence with bullets.– Use a graphic organizer (OPTIONAL).

Organize DetailsRewrite the question in your own words.

Explain it! Write 1-2 sentences that explain the answer.

Write the conclusion to sum it up.

Text-based Detail

Example from text Example from text Example from text

Text-based Detail Text-based Detail

5. Write a topic sentence that includes the big idea

• How do you write a topic sentence?– Underline the parts of the question that you can

turn into a statement.– Combine the question parts with the big idea.

6. Write evidence to support the topic sentence

• Must have proof from the text to support you answer

• Write each of your bullet points in a sentence using your own words.

• Use a different beginning for each sentence.

7. Write a conclusion by restating the big idea

• How do you write a conclusion?– Look at your big idea and evidence– Ask yourself what it means to you.– Write a sentence that uses the big idea and

summarizes the evidence using your own words.

8. Revise a constructed response answer

• How do I check my answer?

Topic SentenceSupporting SentencesConclusion

Am I done?

Revise a constructed response answer

• Reread the question.• Reread the answer to make sure it fully

answers the question.

6 Traits of Writing

• Ideas• Organization • Voice• Word Choice• Sentence fluency• Conventions