The document provides tips for writing a successful constructed response for the South Carolina High School Assessment Program (HSAP) exam. It recommends answering all parts of the question, demonstrating clear logical reasoning using specific examples from the text, and making interpretations that go beyond just restating the text. Successful responses will use quotes from the text to support their analysis, explain the relevance of the quotes, and connect the text to other works, personal experiences, or current events to show a deeper understanding. Responses should be organized, complete, and directly address the question being asked.

1. Creating a Constructed Response South Carolina High School Assessment Program (HSAP) Preparation By Karen Stepp

2. The Constructed Response is . . . . . . a written response portion of the test It tests your ability to analyze literature show control over text

3. How will I be scored? To receive full credit you must . . . 1. Answer all parts of the question 2. Demonstrate clear and logical reasoning 3. Use specific , relevant examples from the text 4. Interpretation must go beyond the text

4. Suggestions First . . . Use the question to help create your response. This allows you to Show you are answering the question Check your response for completeness

5. Example Sample Question Explain the events in the story that caused Alicia to change her feelings about her pet. Sample Response In the story, several events caused Alicia to undergo a big change in her feelings about her pet dog . In the beginning of the story, Alicia’s feelings about her pet were . . . . but by the end of the story they were . . . Uses the question to frame response

6. Suggestions Next . . . Use quotes from the text Explain why you used them Use action verbs ( shows , illustrates , explains , demonstrates )

7. This shows . . . You have clear, logical reasoning You can use specific, relevant examples You can use evidence for support

8. Examples Sample 1: Alicia shows her deep love for her dog when she says she “can’t imagine life without Woofy.” Sample 2: The author writes that Alicia “can’t imagine life without Woofy.” This quote illustrates the deep love Alicia has for her dog. Uses quotes Uses Action Verbs

9. Suggestions and examples: Finally . . . Make connections beyond text Three types of connections: 1. Text to Text 2. Text to Self 3. Text to World

10. Text to Text Compare the piece to another text Example: This reminds me of the time I read The House on Mango Street and Esperanza changed her feelings about her sister. Refers to another text Shows how it relates

11. Text to Self Compare the text to . . . Your own experience Experience of someone you know Example: This reminds me of a time when my feelings changed about someone at school. At first I thought . . . . but later I realized . . . Shows how it relates to self Shows how it is alike

12. Text to World Compare the text to . . . an event in the news a historical event Example: This reminds me of the people in the news who had a grudge against their neighbors . . . but later they . . . Relates to world Shows a change

13. Tips for Success Read carefully Try to understand the plot, theme, and devices Re-read the question Answer all parts of the question Be organized Provide a complete response

14. Bibliography HSAP information from K. Tiedemann’s book Challenge the HSAP: English Language Arts Music titled “Brighter Day” from freeplaymusic.com Clipart courtesy of Microsoft PowerPoint