Constructing Connections for a Long Write Entry
Types of Connections:
 Text – Text
 Text – World
 Text – Self (first person allowed)
Building Connections:
Connections that are created in an openresponse/long write entry should relate/connect/link
back to the main topic of the prompt presented.
Readers should think of their long write as being a
long, knotted string. Each point is a knot, but is tied
together to as part of the same string (argument).
Intro
Point 1 (S/E/E)
Point 2 (S/E/E)
Connection
(S/E/L)
Example:
Conclusion
If the prompt were to ask:
What character traits are revealed in this reading about the main character?
The reader would focus their argument on stating, explaining, and providing evidence about
the character traits the main character is revealed to have.
The reader would then extend their thinking to build a connection that ties back to the
writing point: the character traits of the main character.

The reader could consider connecting the main character to another character in a
book/movie/TV show that also has the same traits.

The reader could make a connection between the main character and a person they
know or a historical figure with similar traits in the real world.

The reader should not make a connection between the setting of this text and the
setting of another. Nor should the reader make a connection between the big
moment that occurred in the reading and how it reminded them of this awesome
action scene they saw on TV.
o Why would this not be a strong connection? This would not be a strong
connection because it has nothing to do with what the prompt asked the
reader to consider. Always ask yourself, what exactly is my argument focus?
Constructing Connections for a Long Write Entry
Explaining and Presenting Reading Connections:
_____ State the connection
_____ Explain the connection (give background about what your connecting piece is)

Why?
o Readers should explain what they are making the connection to
because readers need to show what they see and are thinking so
that others understand. Often, those who view our long writes may
not have read, seen, or met our connecting example, so readers
need to “set the scene” by explaining what makes their connection
work.
_____ Link your connecting piece back to the original text and reader’s argument. (This is
similar to _____ because…/ This is like…. / This can be connected to…/ This is relatable
because...)
State Connection
(A connection can be made
between 1 and 2…)
Explain
Connection
(Explain 2)
Link Back
(Make link to
1 clear)
Constructing Connections for a Long Write Entry
Example Connection:
Prompt Question:
 Which character has the greatest impact to the story?
My basic answer:
 In Richard Michelson’s Across the Alley, Grandpa is the character with the greatest
impact because his actions direct the course of the story and his beliefs and guidance
greatly impact the main character, Abe.
What should my connection be to?

Hmmm…well I need to think about what is the focus of my argument. What are my
points?
o My argument focus is that Grandpa is the character with the greatest impact in
the story.

I could connect Grandpa to another character in a movie, book, or TV
show who has a big impact on the characters because of their actions,
beliefs, and guidance. (Just like Grandpa).

If someone I know has greatly impacted me through their actions, beliefs,
and guidance, I could make a connection to them.

I would not connect Grandpa in Across the Alley to another Grandpa in a
TV show, movie, or book because my point is to consider the character’s
impact. Grandpa Simpson from The Simpsons (though entertaining) would
not be a good choice because he is not like Grandpa in the original text.

Ohh! The boys’ secretive friendship reminds me of this TV show where a
popular athlete likes a girl not in his social group and they have to keep
their friendship a secret, otherwise they might be teased. This is like Abe
and Willie!

Oops…this idea does not match my original argument and point
(argument—important character, grandpa), so this would not be a
strong connection.
** My best connection would be between Grandpa and his role in Across the Alley to a
similar figure in another text, like Scooter in Jerry Spinelli’s Crash.
Constructing Connections for a Long Write Entry
Explaining and Presenting Reading Connections:
_____ State the connection
_____ Explain the connection (give background about what your connecting piece is)
_____ Link your connecting piece back to the original text and reader’s argument. (This is
similar to _____ because…/ This is like…. / This can be connected to…/ This is relatable
because...)
A connection that can be made to Grandpa in Across the Alley is to Scooter in Jerry
Spinelli’s Crash. In Crash, Scooter is the main character’s grandfather who takes a great role
in the shaping of Crash’s life by guiding him in the choices that he makes and in supporting
his talents. For example, Scooter is the only one in Crash’s family to attend a football game
and support Crash’s efforts on the football field. Similarly, Grandpa in Across the Alley
supports Abe and Willie in their personal talents as they pursue their interests in baseball and
the violin. Also, Scooter’s words and guidance help Crash to see the power of his actions
and to see the world in a different way, especially when it comes to Penn Webb. When
Grandpa encourages Willie to play the violin, he shifts the way in which Abe sees the world
as the door is open for him to try new things, despite the expectations of the world around
him. Like Grandpa in Across the Alley, Scooter’s actions, beliefs, and guidance help to
shape the main character in Crash and the course of the story.