The Short Answer Response
A How-To Guide
Objectives:
Today you will know what a short
answer response is, understand
how to craft a well-written
response, and write a short answer
response using the kernelling
method.
What is a SAR?
 SAR=Short Answer Response
 A SAR
answers a question,
 provides text evidence to prove the point, and
 directly
 includes connecting commentary that explains how the text
evidence supports the assertion.
Two Main Requirements
All short answer responses require:
 A
thesis– A direct answer to the prompt. Answer with only
ONE answer or thesis point.
Text evidence – a quote or two from the passage that helps
prove your thesis(EMBEDDED)
The answer (thesis) and the text evidence must
“match.” In other words, your quote(s) must relate
directly to your thesis. Now, let’s talk about how you
will be scored.
0 - Insufficient




This response is too vague to understand; it’s
unclear.
-orThis response fails to give any textual
evidence. (a quotation that directly supports
thesis)
-orThis response makes an interpretation not
found in the text.
-orThis response is just a plot summary.
1 - Partially Sufficient
 This response only gives a
thesis.
-or This response only gives textual evidence
and fails to
answer the question.
-or There is no clear connection between the
thesis and the evidence.
2 - Sufficient

This response answers the question with a
thesis
evidence (quote that
and gives appropriate
directly supports the thesis).

The connection between the thesis and the evidence
(quote) is
clear.
3 - Exemplary
Everything a



“2” has
answers the question with a thesis
gives appropriate evidence (quote)
clear connection between thesis and quote
PLUS:
 Particularly insightful answer
 Embedded quotations
 Exceptional
vocabulary
Okay, okay.
 I get it, you say.
 But how do I actually do it? you ask.
 Well, let me teach a strategy called Kernelling.
What is a kernel?
 Kernels are the most important words in your
text
evidence.
 The kernel is the essential part of a quote that will help you
to
advance your point and support your argument.
How Does This Strategy Look?
Combine a paraphrase with a quotation:
 Not embedded:
Tania Modleski suggests that “if television is considered
by some to be a vast wasteland, soap operas are
thought to be the least nourishing spot in the
desert.”
 Embedded:
In her critique of soap operas, Tania Modleski argues that
some view television as “a vast wasteland” and soap
operas as “the least nourishing spot in the desert.”
How Does This Strategy Look?
Do not use a fullsentence quotation.
Your own commentary or ideas should support
and elaborate the quotation.
 Not embedded: Richard Cory had
everything going for him. “He was a
gentleman from sole to crown.” “And
he was rich—yes, richer than a king.”
 Embedded: Richard Cory had everything
going for him. Not only was he a
“gentleman from sole to crown,” but he
was “richer than a king.”
How Do I Link Kernels in My Short Answer
Responses?
1. Preview your prompt/question. This gives you a purpose for your
reading.
2. Read the text and look for evidence that would support your answer to
the question.
3. Highlight at least 2-3 complete quotes in the text that may answer your
question.
4. Underline the “kernel” of information that specifically answers your
questions – without “filler words” (the, she, he, it, they, but, and)
5. Choose the kernels that are thematically related to your answer.
6. Pre-write your ideas as to how the kernel will answer the questions (i.e.
provide connecting commentary).
7. Build your answer around the linked kernels of text you have identified
and explained.
Let’s try it!
Read the passage on the following
slide. Then respond to the prompt
below.
How does the paragraph develop
Beauty’s character? Support your
answer with evidence from the text.
Excerpt from “Beauty and the Beast”
At first nobody would hear of it. Beauty’s father
and brothers, who loved her dearly, declared
nothing should make them let her go. But Beauty
was firm. As the time drew near for her to go to
the Beast, she divided her little possessions
between her sisters and said goodbye to everyone
she loved. When the fatal day came, she
encouraged and cheered her father as they
mounted together the horse which had brought
him back. It seemed to fly rather than gallop, but
so smoothly that Beauty was not frightened.
Indeed, she would have enjoyed it if she had not
feared what might happen at the end of it. Her
father still tried to persuade her to go back, but in
vain.
Again, the question/prompt is…
 How does the paragraph develop Beauty’s
character? Support your answer with evidence
from the text.
Pre-Writing
 Highlight 2-3 quotes in the passage that you think help
develop Beauty’s character.
Did you highlight any of these?



“As the time drew near for her to go to the Beast, she
divided her little possessions between her sisters and said
goodbye to everyone she loved”
“It seemed to fly rather than gallop, but so smoothly that
Beauty was not frightened”
“Her father still tried to persuade her to go back, but in
vain”
Identify the Kernels
 Underline the most important words in the quotes you
highlighted. These are your kernels. Don’t underline
unimportant words like a, an, the, and, but, or, etc.
Did you get these key words?



“divided her little possessions between her sisters”
“Beauty was not frightened”
“in vain”
Connecting Commentary
 Explain what each of the kernels shows about Beauty’s
character.
 Write your thoughts next to each kernel.
Notice how the comments in white explain
how the quote characterizes Beauty.



“divided her little possessions between her sisters”
- Shows that Beauty is not selfish. She wants to
share her things with her sisters.
“Beauty was not frightened” – Though she is going
to visit a monster, Beauty does not let herself
become afraid. She is brave.
“in vain” – There is no use in persuading Beauty to
stay behind; she is determined to help her family
by going to the Beast.
Now let’s put it all together.
Once you have this pre-writing completed,
you simply need to put your thoughts and
quotes into complete sentences that make
sense. Look at my model SAR,
notice how I embed my quotations within
my own sentences.
When it’s all said and done, it looks
something like this:
 “Beauty was not frightened” by having to go and live with
a monster, and her bravery shines through. She showed
her unselfishness when she “divided up her little
possessions between her sisters,” and her character is
further revealed by her determination at being dissuaded
from her task despite her Father’s plea which was “in
vain.” Beauty showed herself to be a loving, giving, and
determined woman who is willing to sacrifice for her
family.
Now it’s your turn!
How does the author develop the protagonist’s character in “The
Sniper”?
Follow the steps on the next slide to write an effective SAR to
this question/prompt.
1. Preview your prompt/question. This gives you a purpose for
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
your reading.
Read the text and look for evidence that would support your
answer to the question.
Write at least 3 complete quotes in the text that may answer
your question.
Underline the “kernel” of information that specifically answers
your questions – without “filler words” (the, she, he, it, they,
but, and)
Choose the kernels that are thematically related to your answer.
Pre-write your ideas as to how the kernel will answer the
question (i.e. provide connecting commentary).
Build your answer around the linked kernels of text you have
identified and explained.
Kernelling Checklist
Check your SAR.
 My short answer response contains no full length quotes
(True or False)
 My short answer response fully answers the question
(True or False)
 My text evidence is linked into my response effectively and fluently
(True or False)
 I have provided enough text evidence in my SAR to support my ideas
(True or False)
 I have written an insightful response to the short answer question that
demonstrates my understanding of the subject matter
(True or False)
Last Words
1. My answer should directly answer the writing prompt.
2. My answer and the text evidence must match.
3. My quote should be embedded and fully illustrate my thesis.
4. If I add commentary or a conclusion sentences, I must stay
focused on my thesis. (No NEW ideas in the conclusion sentence)
5. Do not write outside the box.