Got ACES English II Using English to Communicate

Got ACES? English II Using English to Communicate Ideas ACES Paragraph Writing /Constructed Response

Why ACES? 1. Helps get us started when we are struggling to write a “perfect” paragraph. 2. Gives us a simple format that we can later learn to manipulate when we get more comfortable with it. 3. Provides a quick formula for what a good, argumentative paragraph should look like.

A: Answer the Question -Restate the original question as an answer in your first sentence. -Always a complete sentence! - Synonym: topic sentence, mini-thesis statement

A – Practice: How would you answer these? Do Not Copy the Prompt Questions, ONLY answer it on your paper. 1. Why is it important to be on time to school everyday? 2. What do people do to make good grades in school? 3. Who is the greatest athlete of all time?

C: Cite evidence - After answering the question in sentence one, you must use quotes from the text to prove it! -A quote isn’t just dialogue; it is any words you use from the text that aren’t your own. -Synonyms: textual evidence, quote

C: Cite evidence Sentence Starters: In the text, it says… The author states… The character states… For example, … To be specific, …

E: Explain Your Evidence - In this sentence, you explain how your evidence supports your answer. -This might require you to write two sentences: first, to explain your quote, second to tie it to your answer. -Synonyms: insight, explanation

E: Explain Your Evidence Sentence Starters: This quote shows… This evidence proves… This demonstrates… This means… To clarify, … In other words, …

S: Summarize - In the final sentence of your paragraph, summarize the answer AND evidence from your paragraph. - DO NOT REPEAT your words; instead, use synonyms and different phrasing.

What is wrong with the following paragraphs? • Prompt: Does Esperanza like the house on Mango Street?

A Good Example Esperanza doesn’t like the house on Mango Street because it is run down and crowded. In the text it states, “But the house on Mango Street is not the way they told it at all. It’s small and red with tight steps in front and windows so small you’d think they were holding their breath. ” This quote proves Esperanza had hopes of the new house being better. The character goes on to explain how there is only one washroom and everyone must share a room. In conclusion, Esperanza had hopes that her family’s new home would be nicer and have more space for her six person family.

What’s wrong? Paragraph 1 The character states, “Bricks are crumbling in places, and the front door is so swollen you have to push hard to get in. ” This evidence shows that the house isn’t new but it’s better than where they were living before. To summarize, Esperanza does not like the new house because it is falling apart.

The “Answer” part of the paragraph is missing. WHAT’S WRONG? -- ANSWER

What’s Wrong? – Paragraph 2 Esperanza doesn’t likes the house on Mango Street because her family doesn’t have to pay rent and there isn’t a landlord banging on their ceiling. “We don’t have to share the yard with the people downstairs, or be careful not to make too much noise. ” Since her family doesn’t have worry about rent and can be as loud as they wish, Esperanza likes the house on Mango Street.

The “Explain your evidence” section doesn’t tell how the quote clearly relates to answer (and they don’t introduce the quote). WHAT’S WRONG? – ANSWERS