RACES and The Emperors New Clothes

RACES

The RACES strategy is a structured approach to writing that stands for Restate the question, Answer the question, Cite evidence, Explain how the evidence supports the answer, and Summarize the response. Each step plays a crucial role in creating a well-structured response.

RACES

STEP 1: Restate the question

Restate the question: This step involves rephrasing the question or prompt in your own words. It ensures that you understand the question and sets the context for your response. It also helps to convert the question into a statement that can serve as the opening sentence of your response

RESTATE THE QUESTION

1. Rephrase the question: In order to provide a comprehensive response, it is important to rephrase the initial prompt or question in your own words.

2. Understanding the context: Restating the question helps to establish a clear understanding of what is being asked and ensures that you address all relevant aspects of the topic.

3. Opening sentence: By converting the original question into a statement, it can serve as an effective opening sentence for your written response, providing a clear focus for your writing.

Multiple Choice

Why is it important to restate the question in your own words before answering it?

• It helps to ensure that you have understood the question correctly.

• It allows you to avoid answering the question.

• It is a requirement for all formal written responses.

• It simplifies the question to make it easier to answer.

Multiple Choice

When faced with a prompt asking you to write an answer to a question, what is the first step you should take according to the guidelines provided?

• Start writing your answer immediately to save time.

• Restate the question in your own words to ensure understanding.

• Copy the question verbatim to show that you have read it.

• Skip the question and move on to the next one.

RACES

ANSWER THE QUESTION

This step requires you to provide a clear and direct answer to the question. It's important to answer completely, using complete sentences, and addressing all parts of the question.

Dropdown

TypIn the process of responding to a writing prompt, one crucial step involves restating the question in your own words. What is the one-word term that best describes this step, which ensures a clear and comprehensive understanding of the prompt?e question here including a

Select answer

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RACES

CITE EVIDENCE

This step involves supporting your answer with evidence from the text. This could be in the form of quotes, paraphrases, examples, or details. Citing evidence not only strengthens your answer but also demonstrates your understanding of the text.

Drag and Drop

When crafting a response to a writing prompt, one essential step is to bolster your answer with material from the source text. Which one-word term best describes this critical step, where you use quotes, paraphrases, examples, or details from the text to strengthen your response? ​

Placeholder

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

Citing

Arguing

Guessing

Ignoring

RACES

EXPLAIN THE EVIDENCE

In this step, you describe how the evidence you cited supports your answer. This explanation helps to connect your answer and the evidence, demonstrating your reasoning and understanding of the text.

Multiple Choice

In the RACES writing response technique, which step involves describing how the evidence you provided supports your response?

• The Restate step, where you restate the question as a statement to start your response.

• The Answer step, where you answer the question, providing your opinion or claim about the text.

• The Cite step, where you provide specific evidence from the text to support your answer.

• The Explain step, where you describe how the evidence you cited supports your answer, demonstrating your understanding of the text.

RACES

SUMMARIZE THE RESPONSE

This final step involves summarizing your response, reinforcing your answer, and providing a concise conclusion. It helps to wrap up your thoughts and provides a clear end to your response.

Multiple Choice

In the RACES writing response technique, which step involves recapping your response, reinforcing your answer, and providing a clear end to your response?

• The Restate step, where you restate the question as a statement to start your response.

• The Summarize step, where you summarize your response, reinforcing your answer, and providing a clear end to your response.

• The Cite step, where you provide specific evidence from the text to support your answer.

• The Explain step, where you describe how the evidence you cited supports your answer, demonstrating your understanding of the text.

Reorder

Reorder the following

• Restate the question

• Answer the question

• Cite evidence

• Explain the evidence

• Summarize the response

1

2

3

4

5

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

The Thesis Statement

Definition and Purpose

A thesis statement is a single sentence that expresses the main idea of an essay or research paper. It should be clear, concise, and specific, setting the tone and direction for the entire piece.

Multiple Choice

A thesis statement in an essay is like __________ in a journey.

• The destination, because it's where you're ultimately headed.

• The vehicle, because it's what moves you forward.

• The roadmap, because it guides the direction and path you take.

• The luggage, because it carries all your belongings.

The Thesis Statment

Characteristics of a Strong Thesis Statement

1. Specific and Narrowed Focus: A good thesis is not a general observation but a specific assertion. It should be narrow enough to be fully supported by the evidence in the essay.

2. Clearly Stated Argument or Claim: The thesis should make a clear argument or claim that can be debated. It's not just a statement of fact.

3. Relevant to the Question or Prompt: The thesis must directly respond to the writing prompt or question.

Categorize

Options (10)

• Specific and narrowed focus

• Clearly stated argument or claim

• Relevant to the question or prompt

• Broad and general focus

• Statement of fact

• Irrelevant to the question or prompt

• Recapitulates another writer's argument

• Not arguable

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No Answer 1

No Answer 2

Organize these options into the right categories

Right Thesis Statement Traits

Wrong Thesis Statement Traits

No Answer 1

No Answer 2

The Thesis Statment

Language Tips for Writing Thesis Statements

1. Use Strong, Assertive Language: The thesis should be definitive and confident. Words like "demonstrates," "proves," "argues," and "illustrates" can be effective in stating your position strongly.

2. Avoid Vague Language: Words like “might,” “could,” “may,” etc., suggest uncertainty. Replace these with more definitive words such as “is,” “does,” “shows,” “leads to,” “causes,” and “results in.”

Fill in the Blank

According to the guidelines for strong thesis statements, words like 'demonstrates,' 'proves,' 'argues,' and 'illustrates' are recommended because they ________ your position strongly.

The Thesis Statment

Language Tips for Writing Thesis Statements

3. Be Specific and Direct: Use specific language that directly states what the essay will discuss or argue. Phrases like “the primary cause of,” “the most significant effect,” and “the main reason” help focus the thesis statement.

4. Active Voice: Use active voice rather than passive voice for a stronger statement. For example, instead of saying “It is believed by many,” say “Many believe.”

Fill in the Blank

"In order to focus the thesis statement, it is advised to use phrases like 'the primary cause of,' 'the most significant effect,' and 'the main reason,' which help to be ________ and direct."

The Thesis Statment

Language Tips for Writing Thesis Statements

5. Quantitative and Qualitative Phrases: Use phrases that indicate scale or importance, such as “significantly,” “fundamentally,” “primarily,” or “predominantly.”

6. Concise Language: Avoid unnecessary words or overly complex phrases. The thesis should be clear and to the point.

7. Argumentative and Analytical Tone: Choose words that reflect an analytical and argumentative tone, especially for persuasive or argumentative essays. Words like “challenges,” “underscores,” “critiques,” and “validates” can be appropriate.

Fill in the Blank

To create an effective thesis statement, it's important to choose words that reflect an _________ and analytical tone, especially for persuasive or argumentative essays.

The Thesis Statment

Language Tips for Writing Thesis Statements

8. Subject-Specific Vocabulary: Use vocabulary specific to the subject matter. For example, in a literary analysis, terms like “symbolism,” “narrative perspective,” or “thematic development” might be relevant.

9. Transitional Phrases: If the thesis hints at the structure of your essay, use transitional phrases like “moreover,” or “in contrast.”

Fill in the Blank

In a thesis statement, especially in a literary analysis, it is important to use ________ specific to the subject matter, such as 'symbolism,' 'narrative perspective,' or 'thematic development'.

Multiple Choice

Which thesis statement is correct for this prompt: Prompt: “Evaluate the effects of global warming.”?

• Global warming is bad.

• Global warming significantly alters our climate, leading to extreme weather events, loss of biodiversity, and challenges in food security.

Multiple Choice

Which thesis statement is correct for this prompt: Prompt: “Analyze the role of women in 20th-century literature.”?

• Women are represented in books.

• The representation of women in 20th-century literature evolved to challenge traditional gender roles, reflecting broader social changes and feminist ideologies.

Multiple Choice

Which thesis statement is correct for this prompt: Prompt: “Examine the influence of the internet on communication.”?

• The internet affects how we talk.

• The advent of the internet revolutionized communication, enabling instant global connectivity but also contributing to the erosion of traditional interpersonal skills.

While you read the short story on the next page, think about this guiding question:

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Reading

​In "The Emperor's New Clothes," the Emperor, his ministers, and the townspeople are fooled by two weavers into believing that the weavers have made invisible clothes. This story highlights the themes of pride, deception, and the power of honesty. Reflecting on the story, do you think the people's reaction to the invisible clothes demonstrates human nature's tendency to conform to popular opinion, even in the face of obvious falsehoods? In your response, restate the question, provide your opinion, cite specific examples from the story, explain your reasoning, and summarize your overall perspective on this human tendency.

andersen_emperor.pdf - Google Drive

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Open Ended

In "The Emperor's New Clothes," the Emperor, his ministers, and the townspeople are fooled by two weavers into believing that the weavers have made invisible clothes. This story highlights the themes of pride, deception, and the power of honesty. Reflecting on the story, do you think the people's reaction to the invisible clothes demonstrates human nature's tendency to conform to popular opinion, even in the face of obvious falsehoods? In your response, restate the question, provide your opinion, cite specific examples from the story, explain your reasoning, and summarize your overall perspective on this human tendency."

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