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A Guide to the
Constructed Response Paragraph
What is a constructed response? The Literature Keystone Exam requires students to read
passages and respond in one of two ways: multiple choice questions or open-ended response
questions. The open-ended response questions are called “constructed response questions.”
They are writing prompts that student must respond to in paragraph form. This packet contains
a suggested format for these responses. This packet includes:
Sample prompts
Suggested outline
Model Outline
Model Paragraph
Classroom rubric
Sample Prompts
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Collins- L.F.2.3.1
CONSTRUCTED-RESPONSE QUESTION:
Analyze the author’s purpose. Use information from the article to
support your analysis.
_____/ 25
Clear and concise topic sentence stating your assertion
_____/25
2 subtopic sentences that clearly state your supporting arguments
_____/25
2 quotations, integrated properly
_____/25
Thorough explanations of how quotes support your subtopic sentences
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Write a topic sentence that states your argument or answer to the prompt.
a.
Subtopic sentence- first supporting argument.
i. Cited quotation- “Quote”(Author’s last name).
1.
Explain/discuss/elaborate on how the quote supports your
argument.
b. Subtopic sentence- second supporting argument.
i. Cited quotation- “Quote”(Author’s last name).
1.
Explain/discuss/elaborate on how the quote supports your
argument.
Concluding sentence that brings closure to your argument and/or transitions to the
next paragraph.
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In the article, The surprisingly Large Cost of Telling Lies, the author, Rebekah Campbell’s
purpose is to persuade the reader to always tell the truth as a way to improve life and
business.
a.
First off, the author persuades by presenting some appalling facts regarding
the numbers of people who lie in order to show what a problem lying is.
i. She states that “60 percent of adults could not have a 10-minute
conversation without lying at least once”(Campbell).
1. With these numbers, Campbell suggests that people are not
being honest with themselves, and lying is out of control.
b. As a second persuasive technique, Campbell cites an expert entrepreneur,
“Peter,” who provides first-hand knowledge of why this out of control lying
can ruin careers.
i. She quotes Peter who says that “ telling lies is the No. 1 reason
entrepreneurs fail. Not because telling lies makes you a bad person
but because the act of lying plucks you from the present, preventing
you from facing what is really going on in the world” (Campbell).
1. Campbell tries to persuade the reader to see that they are not a
bad person because they lie, but they are not going to be as
successful in their business if they cannot face up to the truth.
She ends the article with a call to action for people, a promise that if they try to always tell
the truth, they will be happier and more successful not only in life, but in business as well.
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Joe Smith
Mrs. Ward
Keystone English 10
9 September, 2014
Author’s Purpose
In the article, The surprisingly Large Cost of Telling Lies, the author, Rebekah
Campbell’s purpose is to persuade the reader to always tell the truth as a way to
improve life and business. First off, the author persuades by presenting some appalling
facts regarding the numbers of people who lie in order to show what a problem lying is.
She states that “60 percent of adults could not have a 10-minute conversation without
lying at least once”(Campbell). With these numbers, Campbell suggests that people are
not being honest with themselves, and lying is out of control. As a second persuasive
technique, Campbell cites an expert entrepreneur, “Peter,” who provides first-hand
knowledge of why this out of control lying can ruin careers. She quotes Peter who says
that “telling lies is the No. 1 reason entrepreneurs fail. Not because telling lies makes
you a bad person but because the act of lying plucks you from the present, preventing
you from facing what is really going on in the world” (Campbell). Campbell tries to
persuade the reader to see that they are not a bad person because they lie, but they are
not going to be as successful in their business if they cannot face up to the truth. She
ends the article with a call to action for people, a promise that if they try to always tell
the truth, they will be happier and more successful not only in life, but in business as
well.
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Constructed Response Paragraph Rubric
Focus (clarity and concision of argument)
 8pt.______ -topic sentence that clearly and concisely identifies the argument (answer
to the prompt)
 12pts. ______- two subtopic sentences that clearly and concisely identify the
supporting arguments
Focus Total
______/20
Organization
 Paragraph that follows recommended format :
o Topic sentences, (4pts.)
 1st Subtopic sentence with transition 3 pts.
 Integrated quotation (No dropped quotations) 2pts.
o Explanation, elaboration, discussion follows quote 2pts.
nd
 2 Subtopic sentence, with transition 3pts.
 Integrated quotation ( No dropped quotations) 2pts.
o Explanation, elaboration, discussion follows quote, 2pts.
o Concluding statement that follows from and supports the argument presented,
2pts.
Organization Total ______ (20) x2 = _______/40
Content
 4pts. ______ -Sufficient facts- provide a minimum of 2 quotes as your evidence.
 4pts. ______-Relevant, well-chosen evidence is provided in the form of quotes and/or
specific examples from the text.
 12pts______-Valid and thorough analysis of the prompt:
o Writer _____________ (identifies, analyzes, evaluates) the author’s use of
literary devices and elements in the story in-depth, choosing not to focus on
only surface meanings.
o No misquoted or misinterpreted information.
Content Total_______(20) x2= _______/40
Overall Grade __________/100