Copy of RACES Writing Strategy

Example: "What was life like for serfs in the Middle Ages?"

Restatement: "Life for serfs in the Middle Ages was..."

Example: "What was life like for serfs in the Middle Ages?"

Blue-answer to the question

"Life for the serfs in the Middle Ages was very difficult."

Example: "What was life like for serfs in the Middle Ages?"

Red-paraphrase

Purple-direct quote

Life for serfs in the Middle Ages was very difficult. In Document 2, it stated they often worked 7 days a week because they had to grow food for the manor and themselves. Also, Document 4 stated that serfs "also had very little freedom because both landowners and church leadership could tell them what to do."

Example:

Orange-explanation of answer

Life for serfs in the Middle Ages was very difficult. In Document 2, it stated they often worked 7 days a week because they had to grow food for the manor and themselves. Also, Document 4 stated that serfs "also had very little freedom because both landowners and church leadership could tell them what to do." A lack of freedom and constant hard work would make life unpleasant for anyone.

Use this in ANY class when you are asked to write a constructed response!

Good luck!

So your entire paragraph should look like:

Life for serfs in the Middle Ages was very difficult. In Document 2, it stated they often worked 7 days a week because they had to grow food for the manor and themselves. Also, Document 4 stated that serfs "also had very little freedom because both landowners and church leadership could tell them what to do." A lack of freedom and constant hard work would make life unpleasant for anyone. In conclusion, a serf in the Middle Ages would have had an incredibly difficult life.

Example:

Green-Summary/Conclusion

Life for serfs in the Middle Ages was very difficult. In Document 2, it stated they often worked 7 days a week because they had to grow food for the manor and themselves. Also, Document 4 stated that serfs "also had very little freedom because both landowners and church leadership could tell them what to do." A lack of freedom and constant hard work would make life unpleasant for anyone. In conclusion, a serf in the Middle Ages would have had an incredibly difficult life.

Step 5: Sum it Up

Your last sentence should be a summary of your entire paragraph. Restate your topic sentence in a different way.

Step 4: Explain your Answer

• Explain how the evidence you gave makes your point
• Demonstrate your understanding of the question through your response

R.A.C.E.S. for Writing Success!

Step 3: Cite Evidence

• Select appropriate examples from the text to support your answer
• Tell which piece of evidence you used
• Use specific details
• Quotes don't need to be super long!

Step 2: Answer the Question

• Underline key words/phrases in the question
• Look for task words (words that tell you what to do): explain, describe, compare, contrast, discuss, evaluate, identify, analyze, determine, etc.
• Give a concise, logical answer

Step 1: Restate the Question

• You must first know what the question is asking.
• You will use the question to form a focused topic sentence

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

R.A.C.E.S. is a strategy that helps students answer short response questions in writing.