Creating a Constructed Response

South Carolina High School Assessment Program (HSAP) Preparation

By Karen Stepp

The Constructed Response is . . .

. . . a written response portion of the test

It tests your ability to • analyze literature

• show control over text

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

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

ExampleSample QuestionExplain the events in the story that caused Alicia to

change her feelings about her pet.

Sample ResponseIn 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

Suggestions

Next . . .

• Use quotes from the text

• Explain why you used them

• Use action verbs (shows, illustrates,

explains, demonstrates)

This shows . . .

• You have clear, logical reasoning

• You can use specific, relevant examples

• You can use evidence for support

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 quotesUses Action

Verbs

Suggestions and examples:

Finally . . .

Make connections beyond text

Three types of connections:

1. Text to Text

2. Text to Self

3. Text to World

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

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

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

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

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