SAR Short Answer Response Short Answer Structure Minimum
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SAR Short Answer Response
Short Answer Structure • Minimum of FIVE sentences: 1)Topic Sentence (TS) a. k. a. your answer to the question 2) Concrete Detail (CD) a. k. a. text evidence 3) Commentary (CM) a. k. a. connecting your evidence to your answer 4) Concrete Detail 2 (CD) Additional evidence to your answer 5) Commentary 2 (CM) connect quote to answer **Bonus** 6) Concluding Sentence (CS) -Extra Bonus: Theme and/or Lesson
Grading Scale: 3 -0 3+ = 105 3 = 100 3 - = 95 2+ = 90 2 = 85 2 - = 80 1+ = 75 1 = 70 1 - = 65 0 = 60
Topic Sentence (TS) States your main IDEA Must be debatable, so beyond the obvious answer; An abstract idea Obvious=Della sacrifices for Jim because she needed to buy a gift. Abstract= Della sacrifices for Jim because of the love she has for him Is a complex sentence “Because” is almost always a reliable choice Simple sentence: Della loves Jim. Complex: Della sacrifices for Jim because of the love she feels towards him.
Concrete Detail (CD) Must support your point/answer(Prove your answer) Must be specific (no overly long quotes) Must contain “quoted material” (not a paraphrase or summary) Must be introduced with context (embedded) E. g. Della wants to show her love and respect for him by finding “something fine and rare…something near to being worthy of the honor of being owned by Jim. ” No naked quotes! Introduce the quote WITH YOUR OWN WORDS
Commentary (CM) Explains how your CD supports your TS In other words, how does your quote support your main idea E. g. Della cares deeply for Jim and places him highly in her heart. Connect the quote to your answer How does your quote prove your answer
Concrete Detail 2 (CD) A SECOND quote that continues to support your answer MORE EVIDENCE
Commentary 2 (CM) Further explains your quote to your answer or TS (topic sentence) Should be relevant and clear
Concluding Sentence (CS)** Restate your main point in NEW WORDS, OR Bonus: Make an observation (Theme) if possible Can also state the lesson of the story IF it relates to your answer E. g. Della’s sacrifice displays the love she feels for Jim and teaches the lesson of being wise; that money isn’t the answer, but rather the lengths one is willing to go to for someone else. If you can accomplish this sentence, you will have proved your comprehension (understanding) of the story and will usually receive a better score
For example: (TS)Della from O. Henry's short story, "The Gift of the Magi, " sacrifices for Jim because of her love for him and to show important and worthy she thinks Jim is. Della wants to show her love and respect for him by finding (CD)“something fine and rare…something near to being worthy of the honor of being owned by Jim. ” (CM)Della cares deeply for Jim and places him highly in her heart. Della decides to cut her hair and before she leaves, (CD)“she faltered for a minute and stood still while a tear or two splashed. ” (CM)She is willing to sacrifice her most prized possession to buy an amazing gift for her husband, Jim, at a cost to herself because he’s worth it to her. Della’s sacrifice displays the love she feels for Jim and teaches the lesson of being wise; that money isn’t the answer, but rather the lengths one is willing to go to for someone else. (Bonus CS)
“The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin Short Answer Prompt: 1. How does Mrs. Mallard change throughout the story? 2. Why is the story ironic? 3. What is one message the reader can infer from the story?
