THE RACES FORMAT:
HOW TO WRITE A Paragraph With Analysis
R
RESTATE IT!
A
ANSWER IT!
C
CITE EVIDENCE!
RESTATE the question by turning it into a statement.
Example:
QUESTION: How was the invention of the printing press a turning point in history?
HOW YOU COULD RESPOND: The invention of the printing press was a turning point because…
ANSWER the question completely with at least two details.
Example:
The invention of the printing press was a turning point because it allowed people to copy their work in a fast
and efficient manner (DETAIL #1). The printing press also allowed for the spread of ideas and beliefs
(DETAIL #2). The printing press was used by Martin Luther. He wrote the Ninety-Five Theses which
exposed to the whole world the abuses of the Catholic Church, especially the sale of indulgences.
CITE EVIDENCE from the text. You can use quotes to justify your answer,
especially from CRQ documents, text books, or from primary sources you’ve
researched.
Example:
The invention of the printing press was a turning point because it allowed people to copy their work in a fast and
efficient manner. The printing press also allowed for the spread of ideas and beliefs. The printing press was used
by Martin Luther. He wrote the Ninety-Five Theses which exposed to the whole world the abuses of the Catholic
Church, especially the sale of indulgences. According to Luther in the Ninety-Five Theses, “"Christians are
to be taught that he who sees a needy man and passes him by, yet gives his money for indulgences, does
not buy papal indulgences but God's wrath” (Luther).
EXPLAIN how your evidence/quotes support(s) your answer. Always take
one sentence to explain the quote, then another sentence to explain how it
proves your point. Use transition words to show analysis.
E
EXPLAIN!
Example:
The invention of the printing press was a turning point because it allowed people to copy their work in a fast and
efficient manner. The printing press also allowed for the spread of ideas and beliefs. The printing press was used
by Martin Luther. He wrote the Ninety-Five Theses which exposed to the whole world the abuses of the Catholic
Church, especially the sale of indulgences. According to Luther in the Ninety-Five Theses, “"Christians are to be
taught that he who sees a needy man and passes him by, yet gives his money for indulgences, does not buy
papal indulgences but God's wrath” (Luther). This means that the sale of indulgences so the Pope could
make money is a waste when that money could be given to the poor instead. Luther tried to change the
Catholic Church and get rid of this by using the printing press to spread his ideas, and it worked because
the Protestant Reformation was born.
SUM IT UP by bringing it all full circle. Use a closing transition
word, such as “thus”, “in summary”, or “finally”.
S
SUM IT UP!
Example:
The invention of the printing press was a turning point because it allowed people to copy their work in a fast and
efficient manner. The printing press also allowed for the spread of ideas and beliefs. The printing press was used
by Martin Luther. He wrote the Ninety-Five Theses which exposed to the whole world the abuses of the Catholic
Church, especially the sale of indulgences. According to Luther in the Ninety-Five Theses, “"Christians are to be
taught that he who sees a needy man and passes him by, yet gives his money for indulgences, does not buy
papal indulgences but God's wrath” (Luther). This means that the sale of indulgences so the Pope could make
money is a waste when that money could be given to the poor instead. Luther tried to change the Catholic Church
and get rid of this by using the printing press to spread his ideas, and it worked because the Protestant
Reformation was born. Thus, the printing press ended up being a turning point because people were able
to share ideas that ended up changing the world.