Short Response How to Respond to a Short Answer Question

Short Short ResponseResponse

How to Respond to a Short How to Respond to a Short Answer Question Answer Question

Structure and Terms to Structure and Terms to KnowKnow

Overview InformationOverview Information – Title of – Title of text, name of author or speaker, text, name of author or speaker, necessary background information, necessary background information, or introduction of issue being or introduction of issue being presented. Sometimes called a presented. Sometimes called a hook, you want to say something hook, you want to say something that will grab your reader’s that will grab your reader’s attention.attention.


Claim/ThesisClaim/Thesis – Your assertion/opinion – Your assertion/opinion in response to the question being in response to the question being asked.asked.

Example #1Example #1 – (Begin with a transition – (Begin with a transition word. Ex: word. Ex: For exampleFor example) This is where ) This is where you prove your claim with an example you prove your claim with an example stated in your own words. The example stated in your own words. The example must be from the text with which you must be from the text with which you are dealing.are dealing.


Concrete Detail (CD) #1Concrete Detail (CD) #1 – Cited – Cited quote/direct evidence that quote/direct evidence that illustrates your point. illustrates your point.

Commentary (CM) #1Commentary (CM) #1 – – Thoroughly explain your piece of Thoroughly explain your piece of evidence as it relates to your claim. evidence as it relates to your claim. How does your piece of evidence How does your piece of evidence prove that your claim is true? prove that your claim is true? (Analyze do NOT summarize!)(Analyze do NOT summarize!)


Example #2Example #2 – (Begin with a transition – (Begin with a transition word. Ex: word. Ex: In addition, moreover, In addition, moreover, additionally, etc.additionally, etc.) This is where you ) This is where you prove your claim with another example. prove your claim with another example. Arguments are always stronger when Arguments are always stronger when they have appropriate evidence.they have appropriate evidence.

Concrete Detail (CD) #2Concrete Detail (CD) #2 – Cited – Cited quote/direct evidence that illustrates quote/direct evidence that illustrates your point. your point.


Commentary (CM) #2Commentary (CM) #2 – Thoroughly – Thoroughly explain your piece of evidence as it relates explain your piece of evidence as it relates to your claim. How does your piece of to your claim. How does your piece of evidence prove that your claim is true? evidence prove that your claim is true?

ConclusionConclusion– (Begin with a transition word. – (Begin with a transition word. Ex: Ex: ThereforeTherefore, , in conclusion, in short.) in conclusion, in short.) Restate your claim and reference back to Restate your claim and reference back to your evidence. End with a sentence that your evidence. End with a sentence that leaves the reader thinking about the topic leaves the reader thinking about the topic and/or that connects to your hook (full and/or that connects to your hook (full circle).circle).

StructureStructure

1)1) Overview InformationOverview Information 2)2) Claim/ThesisClaim/Thesis 3) 3) Example #1Example #1 4)4) Concrete Detail #1 (cited!)Concrete Detail #1 (cited!) 5)5) Commentary #1Commentary #1 6)6) Example #2Example #2 7)7) Concrete Detail #2 (cited!)Concrete Detail #2 (cited!) 8)8) Commentary #2Commentary #2 9)9) ConclusionConclusion

Example: Why does Steinbeck convey Lennie’s physical characteristics as Example: Why does Steinbeck convey Lennie’s physical characteristics as animal-like qualities?animal-like qualities?

In In Of Mice and MenOf Mice and Men, John Steinbeck tells the tale of two rootless men, , John Steinbeck tells the tale of two rootless men, George and Lennie, who are migrant farm workers in the era following the Great George and Lennie, who are migrant farm workers in the era following the Great Depression. Throughout chapter one, Steinbeck uses animal-like diction to describe Depression. Throughout chapter one, Steinbeck uses animal-like diction to describe the characteristics and qualities possessed by Lennie because, like animals who are the characteristics and qualities possessed by Lennie because, like animals who are not able to think logically through their decisions, he wants readers to realize that not able to think logically through their decisions, he wants readers to realize that Lennie is not responsible for his actions. For example, as the two men walk into the Lennie is not responsible for his actions. For example, as the two men walk into the valley, Lennie is described in terms usually used to describe a bear. “And he valley, Lennie is described in terms usually used to describe a bear. “And he walked heavily, dragging his feet a little, the way a bear drags his paws” (2). By walked heavily, dragging his feet a little, the way a bear drags his paws” (2). By saying that Lennie walked “heavily” and that he “dragged his paws” Steinbeck saying that Lennie walked “heavily” and that he “dragged his paws” Steinbeck implies that Lennie is physically oafish and slow. By using these particular words implies that Lennie is physically oafish and slow. By using these particular words the reader is led to believe that Lennie is not just physically slow, but mentally slow the reader is led to believe that Lennie is not just physically slow, but mentally slow as well. In addition, as the men sit down to rest by the water, Lennie’s first action is as well. In addition, as the men sit down to rest by the water, Lennie’s first action is exceptionally animalistic. When he plunges his head into the river and laps up exceptionally animalistic. When he plunges his head into the river and laps up water without using his hands, the image of a dog drinking from a bowl comes to water without using his hands, the image of a dog drinking from a bowl comes to mind as George, Lennie’s primary caretaker, says, “you’d drink out of a gutter if mind as George, Lennie’s primary caretaker, says, “you’d drink out of a gutter if you was thirsty” (3). Here the reader is presented with the image of a man who is you was thirsty” (3). Here the reader is presented with the image of a man who is not intelligent enough to check if the water is fresh. This description implies that not intelligent enough to check if the water is fresh. This description implies that Lennie’s mental handicap makes him almost less than human and, therefore, unable Lennie’s mental handicap makes him almost less than human and, therefore, unable to discern right from wrong, good from bad. While many other examples exist in to discern right from wrong, good from bad. While many other examples exist in the opening chapter of the opening chapter of Of Mice and MenOf Mice and Men, it is clear that Steinbeck paints Lennie like , it is clear that Steinbeck paints Lennie like an innocent animal to show readers that Lennie’s own ignorance acquits him of any an innocent animal to show readers that Lennie’s own ignorance acquits him of any guilt that might accompany his actions later in the book. guilt that might accompany his actions later in the book.

Annotating

The Steps to Success!!!

Annotating… What is it?

-making notes directly on a text

-actively engaging in a text and its materials

-thinking with a text

What are its advantages?

-notes are close to the text

-it is organized

-it is easy to understand

How do you annotate?

First, ensure you have the following items: a YELLOW highlighter and a pencil.

Second, make sure you clearly understand why you are reading the text, specifically what you should be looking for.


Third, as you read, highlight key information that addresses your reason for reading.

*In the margins, use your pencil to make notes about the key information. Why is this important? What is it saying? How does it relate to your reason for reading? Show your thinking through your comments! (Every highlighted part MUST have notes in the margin!)


Fourth, [bracket] areas where you have questions and write your questions in the margin.

Fifth, circle words you do not know or understand. If you cannot define them based on context clues, look up the definitions and write them in the margin.

What is NOT annotating?

1. Highlighting everything2. Highlighting nothing 3. Highlighting with no notes in the

margins4. Noting personal connections to the

text (“I did this once.” “This is so scary!”)

CitingCiting

What it is What it is

Why we do itWhy we do it

How to do itHow to do it

What is citing?What is citing?

To cite something is to quote it or refer To cite something is to quote it or refer to it as a supporting example. to it as a supporting example.

In writing, you cite your CD’s because In writing, you cite your CD’s because they come directly from the text.they come directly from the text.

To properly cite, we use MLA style and To properly cite, we use MLA style and parenthetical documentation or in-text parenthetical documentation or in-text citation.citation.

In-Text CitationIn-Text CitationEvery time you cite something in your writing, you must Every time you cite something in your writing, you must give the original work credit. You do this by placing the give the original work credit. You do this by placing the appropriate material in (parenthesis) at the end of your appropriate material in (parenthesis) at the end of your sentence. sentence.

*Note: the sentence ends after the end *Note: the sentence ends after the end parenthesis, so parenthesis, so place your period AFTER the place your period AFTER the (parenthesis).(parenthesis).

If there is an author: (Last name & page number)If there is an author: (Last name & page number)(Simon 93).(Simon 93).

If there is no known author: (Title & page number)If there is no known author: (Title & page number)((The Effects of LoveThe Effects of Love 55). 55).

If the source is an online source, you do NOT use page If the source is an online source, you do NOT use page numbers.numbers. (Simon).(Simon).

((The Effects of LoveThe Effects of Love).).

Source CitationSource CitationWe will practice citing a multitude of We will practice citing a multitude of different source types, but we will not different source types, but we will not cover all of them. So…cover all of them. So…

Reference the Owl Purdue website on Reference the Owl Purdue website on MLA citing for assistance with all types MLA citing for assistance with all types of citing.of citing.

(Google Owl Purdue MLA)(Google Owl Purdue MLA)

Some examples are provided on the Some examples are provided on the following slides.following slides.

Citing a BookCiting a BookAuthor’s Last Name, First Name. Author’s Last Name, First Name. Title of BookTitle of Book. City of . City of Publication: Publisher, Year.Medium of Publication.Publication: Publisher, Year.Medium of Publication.

*Brinkley, Alan. *Brinkley, Alan. The Unfinished NationThe Unfinished Nation. New York: . New York: Knopf, Knopf, 1993. Print.1993. Print.

If there are two authors:If there are two authors:First given author’s Last Name, First Name, and First given author’s Last Name, First Name, and second author’s First Name Last Name. second author’s First Name Last Name. Title of BookTitle of Book. . City of Publication: City of Publication: Publisher, Year. Medium of Publisher, Year. Medium of Publication.Publication.

*Brinkley, Alan, and Kevin Sharp. *Brinkley, Alan, and Kevin Sharp. The Unfinished The Unfinished NationNation. . New York: Knopf, 1993. Print.New York: Knopf, 1993. Print.

(NOTE: The second lines of citations are INDENTED!)(NOTE: The second lines of citations are INDENTED!)

Citing A Citing A Website/WebpageWebsite/Webpage

Editor, author, or compiler name (if available). “Name of Editor, author, or compiler name (if available). “Name of Article.” Article.” Name of SiteName of Site. Version number. Name of . Version number. Name of institution/organization affiliated with the site (sponsor or institution/organization affiliated with the site (sponsor or publisher), date of resource creation (if available). Medium of publisher), date of resource creation (if available). Medium of publication. Date of access.publication. Date of access.

Remember to use Remember to use n.p.n.p. if no publisher name is available if no publisher name is available and and n.d.n.d. if no publishing date is if no publishing date is

Example website (with author):Example website (with author):

Felluga, Dino. Felluga, Dino. Guide to Literary and Critical TheoryGuide to Literary and Critical Theory. Purdue U, . Purdue U, 28 Nov. 28 Nov. 2003. Web. 10 May 2006.2003. Web. 10 May 2006.

Example webpage (without author):Example webpage (without author):

"How to Make Vegetarian Chili." "How to Make Vegetarian Chili." eHoweHow. Demand Media, n.d. . Demand Media, n.d. Web. 24 Web. 24 Feb. 2009.Feb. 2009.

Matching CitationsMatching CitationsYour in-text citations MUST match your source citation. For Your in-text citations MUST match your source citation. For example, look at the following sources and their in-text example, look at the following sources and their in-text citation:citation:

Example #1:Example #1:Brinkley, Alan. Brinkley, Alan. The Unfinished NationThe Unfinished Nation. New York: Knopf, . New York: Knopf, 1993. 1993. Print.Print.

““Our nation is ever growing and every changing. It is unclear Our nation is ever growing and every changing. It is unclear exactly what the future holds for the United States” (Brinkley exactly what the future holds for the United States” (Brinkley 105). 105).

Example #2:Example #2:

"How to Make Vegetarian Chili." "How to Make Vegetarian Chili." eHoweHow. Demand Media, n.d. . Demand Media, n.d. Web. 24 Web. 24 Feb. 2009.Feb. 2009.

Some of the best Chili comes from family recipes and actually Some of the best Chili comes from family recipes and actually contains no meat (“How to Make Vegetarian Chili”).contains no meat (“How to Make Vegetarian Chili”).

Quoting as Evidence (CD’s)

To quote a text means to cite its information word for word, exactly as it appeared in the original text.

You may quote entire sentences, phrases, clauses, or words.

When you quote, you MUST put quotation marks around the cited information.

Don’t forget to use IN-TEXT CITATION after!

Example: Romantic poetry is characterized by the "spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings" (Wordsworth 263).

Paraphrasing as Evidence (CD’s)

To paraphrase a text means to SUMMARIZE its information in YOUR OWN WORDS.

You MUST CITE PARAPHRASES because the information came from another source, and you must give credit to that source. Putting it in your own words DOES NOT MAKE IT YOURS!

When you paraphrase, summarize the information in ONE SENTENCE.

Don’t forget to use IN-TEXT CITATION after!

Example: Wordsworth extensively explored the role of emotion in the creative process (263).

Practice TimePractice Time

Now it’s time to put this into practice!

Let’s read a text and see how it’s done!

Are you ready????? Of course you are!!!

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Short Response How to Respond to a Short Answer Question