RACE Strategy Lesson

R.A.C.E. Format
Writing Strategy

An Introduction

to . . .

What is R.A.C.E. Format?

Restate the
question.

Turn the question into a statement.

Answer the
question.

Answer the question that was asked.

Cite
evidence.

Cite evidence (at least 2) that supports your answer.
If you are writing about a text, the evidence should
come from that text.

Explain
evidence.

Explain how your evidence supports your answer.

Why do we use R.A.C.E. Format?

1.It ensures you are
answering the
question that was
asked!

2. It makes your written
response STRONG by
citing and explaining
evidence. These two things
are essential for strong
writing.

3. It makes your written
response CLEAR and
ORGANIZED so that the
reader understands your
point.

3

Restate the Question as a Statement

Use the question stem to create your opening statement.

Example:

Question: What is the best flavor of ice cream in the world?

Restatement of the question: The best flavor of ice cream in the world
is …

Question: How does culture shape Salva’s identity?

Restatement of the question: Culture shapes Salva’s identity by …

Answer the question

Answer the question directly.

Example:

Question: What is the best flavor of ice cream in the world?

Restatement + Answer to the question: The best flavor of ice cream in the world is
chocolate.

Question: How does culture shape Salva’s identity?

Restatement + Answer to the question: Culture shapes Salva’s identity
by making him a strong person.

Cite Evidence

Cite evidence (at least 2) that supports your answer. If you are writing
about a text, the evidence should come from that text.

Question:

How does culture shape Salva’s identity?

Restatement + Answer to the question:

Culture shapes Salva’s identity by making him a strong person.

Cited evidence:

For example, in the text it states, “Salva thought back to his brothers…He was
responsible for Kohl and the others. He knew he had to keep going.”

Explain evidence

Explain how your evidence supports your answer.

Example:

Question:

How does culture shape Salva’s identity?

Restatement, answer, cited evidence, + explanation of evidence:

Culture shapes Salva’s identity by making him strong. For example, in the text it
states, “Salva thought back to his brothers…He was responsible for Kohl and the
others. He knew he had to keep going.” This shows that Salva’s cultural values
motivated him to maintain his strength. In his culture, he was responsible for his
younger siblings. As a result, he holds strong and carries out his cultural
obligations to his family.

Drag and Drop

Restate + Answer the question: What is your favorite fruit?​

Placeholder

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

My favorite type of fruit is strawberries.

Strawberries

Drag and Drop

Restate + Answer the question: What is the weather today?​

Placeholder

​

Placeholder

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

The weather today is sunny.

Today the weather is sunny.

Sunny

Cloudy

Multiple Choice

What is the best sentence starter for "explaining" your evidence?

• This proves,

• The author said,

• In conclusion,

• In the beginning,

Multiple Choice

Restate the question: What is your least favorite subject?

• Why is math your least favorite subject?

• My least favorite subject is...

• My most favorite subject is...

Multiple Choice

Restate the question: Why does Traci like apples better than bananas?

• Traci likes apples better than bananas because

• Apples are better than bananas

• Why does Traci like bananas

• Did Traci eat the apples

Multiple Choice

Restate the question: How are the two characters different?

• The two characters are difference because...

• They just are.

• She has blonde hair and she has brown hair.

Multiple Choice

Restate this question as a sentence: What is the central idea of the article called "Mrs. Rains' Class is Awesome"?

• What is the central idea of the article called "Mrs. Rains' Class is Awesome"?

• The central idea of the article called "Mrs. Rains Class is Awesome" is . . .

• The central idea is...

• Mrs. Rains' class is awesome.

Multiple Select

Restate the question: What is the big deal about Tiktok?

• It is the best app.

• I learn so much from Tikok.

• Tiktok is a big deal because

• The big deal with tiktok is...

Reorder

Reorder the following

• What is your favorite animal?

• My favorite animal is a

• cheetah because they are the fastest land animals on earth.

• In paragraph 3 the author stated, "They can reach speeds of up to 75 miles per hour (120 kilometers per hour). 

• This means that Cheetahs are as fast as some automobile vehicles. So that is why Cheetahs are my favorite animals.

1

2

3

4

5

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Match

Match the following

• This proves

• This explains why

• The author states.

• The text states,

• In paragraph ___ of the passage,

Explain Evidence

Restate the Question

Citing Evidence

Citing Evidence

Citing Evidence

• Explain Evidence

• Restate the Question

• Citing Evidence

• Citing Evidence

• Citing Evidence