MCAS Open Response Question:
A Closer Look
Once you’ve read the question carefully, located relevant information
in the text, and planned out your answer, you will be ready to write
your 1-2 paragraph response. The general structure of the response
should look like this:
CLAIM that states the point you are trying to prove (should echo the
question)
EVIDENCE #1:
LEAD-IN
QUOTE
REASONING
“sandwiching”
or cushioning
a quote
(see back)
EVIDENCE #2
LEAD-IN
QUOTE
REASONING
EVIDENCE #3
LEAD-IN
QUOTE
REASONING
Score
Description
4
The response is a clear, complete, and accurate. The response includes
important details from the selection.
3
The response is a mostly clear, complete, and accurate. The response
includes relevant but often general details from the selection.
2
The response is a partial response to the task. The response includes
limited details from the selection and may include misinterpretations.
1
The response is a minimal response to the task. The response includes
few or no details from the selection and may include misinterpretations.
OR
The response relates minimally to the task.
0
The response is totally incorrect or irrelevant.
CONCLUDING SENTENCE that restates the claim (in a new way)
MCAS OPEN RESPONSE RUBRIC
“Sandwiching” or Cushioning Quotes: The Basic
“Hamburger”
Lead-in




Introduces the quote by setting the
scene.
Provides context (tells who is
involved/speaking & what is
happening).
Can be a couple of sentences.
Part of it actually leads into the
quote and is followed by a comma.
Quote
o , or suggest ideas that helps prove the main point ?



Words should appear EXACTLY as they appear in the text.
The first word of the quoted sentence is always capitalized.
Punctuation goes on the inside of the end quotation.
Reasoning
1. Offers analysis and interpretation of the
quote:
a. Do specific lines or words reveal , reinforce,
illustrate, exemplify, or suggest ideas that
helps prove the claim ?
2. Explains HOW the quote supports or
proves the claim.
OTHER TIPS:
 Vary the type and length of your sentences to make the writing interesting.
 Use transition words/phrases to connect your ideas.
 Keep quotes concise and fluid:
o Use ellipses…in the middle of a quote to eliminate unnecessary text.
o Use brackets [ ] when changing any words within the quote to make
Model Open Response
Explain the techniques President Reagan uses in his
speech to honor the Challenger astronauts. Support your
answer with relevant and specific details from the
speech.
President Reagan uses several effective techniques in his speech
to honor the Challenger astronauts. One strategy he adopts is
speaking positively about the future of space exploration. In
paragraph five, he asserts, “The future does not belong to the
fainthearted; it belongs to the brave.” Reagan honors the astronauts
by stating that they made a sacrifice for the advancement of studying
space. Another method Reagan uses to honor the Challenger crew is
addressing them by name. In paragraph three, he announces, “We
mourn seven heroes: Michael Smith, Dick Scobee, Judith Resnik,
Ronald McNair, Ellison Onizuka, Gregory Jarvis, and Christa
McAuliffe.” When he refers to the crew members by name, he suggests
that each one of them is special; they are real individuals who will be
missed by their families. Lastly, Reagan pays tribute to the seven
victims by using the pronoun “we” throughout his speech. In the
fourth paragraph, he addresses the families of the seven and
sympathizes, “We can not bear, as you do, the full impact of this
tragedy.” The pronoun “we” shows that the whole country respects
and mourns the Challenger astronauts. In his speech, Reagan uses
several methods to commemorate the Challenger astronauts and
recognize their brave spirits.