How to Write an Extended Reader Response

In Illinois, our state mandated standardized test is the ISAT. The ISAT Reading test consists of several short reading passages followed by multiple choice questions about each passage. Two of the three tests also have an Extended Reader Response section. Students are given a writing prompt about one of the passages and are to write a response, 1 to 2 paragraphs, based on information from the passage. These test is given at several grade levels, including 8th grade which is the level I teach. I find that practicing this activity throughout the year is very beneficial, especially when I increase the frequency as the ISAT tests draw closer.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 short literary passage
• 10-15 multiple choice questions from that passage
• 1 writing prompt from the passage

1. Read the writing prompt several times to make sure you understand exactly what it is asking for.

2. Plan your response by finding textual support, author's words and personal connections to support three main points for the response.

3. Begin writing by restating the writing prompt. Restate it in your own words as much as possible. Be creative if you can.

4. Begin the body of the response by stating the first main idea. Follow this with textual support, author's words and personal connections to the first main idea.

5. Repeat Step 4 for the second and third main ideas. Be sure that all the supports you find connect to the main ideas and the overall topic.

6. Finish the response with a conclusion that wraps-up your essay without simply restating the prompt or introduction. Be as creative as you can.

Tips & Warnings

• Try to grab the reader's attention in the introduction.
• Use good transitions and avoid mundane ones like "next" or "In conclusion."
• Try to avoid using words like First, Second and Third to introduce each new main idea.
• Use a "kicker" in the conclusion. Give the reader something to think about, but be careful not to introduce a new idea or topic that will not be explained.
• Do not try to impress the reader or evaluator with unnecessary terminology or vocabulary. Just keep it simple.