Using R.A.P.P. to Answer a Short-Response Question

First, the question:

Explain why Percy thinks his mom

has bad luck. Use two details from

chapter 3 to support your response.

R = Restate the Question

Explain why Percy thinks his mom has bad luck.

Percy Jackson thinks his mom has bad luck.

(In this case, it’s almost the same as the original question.)

A = Answer the question.

Percy Jackson thinks his mom has bad luck.

There are many things that have happened to his mom that makes him think this.

P = Prove it

Before you write, go to the text and find the reasons.

How many are there? How many should you put into

your answer? Which do you think are the best?

Percy Jackson thinks his mom has bad luck.There are many things that have happened

to hismom that makes him think this.

For instance, her parents died in a plane crash when she was five, so she was raised by an uncle who didn’t much care about her. She also ended up marrying Gabe Ugliano, who was a world-class jerk.

How many examples can you find in this response?

Are we done writing?

Percy Jackson thinks his mom has bad luck. Thereare many things that have happened to his momthat makes him think this. For instance, herparents died in a plane crash when she was five,so she was raised by an uncle who didn’t muchcare about her. She also ended up marryingGabe Ugliano, who was a world-class jerk.

What about a conclusion?

Percy Jackson thinks his mom has bad luck.There are many things that have happened

tohis mom that makes him think this. Forinstance, her parents died in a plane crashwhen she was five, so she was raised by anuncle who didn’t much care about her. Shealso ended up marrying Gabe Ugliano, whowas a world-class jerk.

As you can see, she didn’t have very good luck!

P = Proofread and edit

Percy Jackson thinks his mom has bad luck. Thereare many things that have happened to his momthat makes him think this. For instance, herparents died in a plane crash when she was five,so she was raised by an uncle who didn’t muchcare about her. She also ended up marryingGabe Ugliano, who was a world-class jerk. Asyou can see, she didn’t have very good luck!

The 2-point rubric

Now let’s see how our answer stacks up against the rubric we re-wrote.

The features of a 2-point response are: - correct inferences and details that answer the question - show understanding of text - appropriate information - enough information - complete sentences with few errors 

correct inferences and details that answer the question

Percy Jackson thinks his mom has bad luck. Thereare many things that have happened to his momthat makes him think this. For instance, herparents died in a plane crash when she was five,so she was raised by an uncle who didn’t muchcare about her. She also ended up marryingGabe Ugliano, who was a world-class jerk. Asyou can see, she didn’t have very good luck!

show understanding of text

Percy Jackson thinks his mom has bad luck. Thereare many things that have happened to his momthat makes him think this. For instance, herparents died in a plane crash when she was five,so she was raised by an uncle who didn’t muchcare about her. She also ended up marryingGabe Ugliano, who was a world-class jerk. Asyou can see, she didn’t have very good luck!

appropriate information

Percy Jackson thinks his mom has bad luck. Thereare many things that have happened to his momthat makes him think this. For instance, herparents died in a plane crash when she was five,so she was raised by an uncle who didn’t muchcare about her. She also ended up marryingGabe Ugliano, who was a world-class jerk. Asyou can see, she didn’t have very good luck!

enough information

Percy Jackson thinks his mom has bad luck. Thereare many things that have happened to his momthat makes him think this. For instance, (1) herparents died in a plane crash when she was five,so (2) she was raised by an uncle who didn’tmuchcare about her. She also ended up (3) marryingGabe Ugliano, who was a world-class jerk. Asyou can see, she didn’t have very good luck!

complete sentences with few errors

Percy Jackson thinks his mom has bad luck. Thereare many things that have happened to his momthat makes him think this. For instance, herparents died in a plane crash when she was five,so she was raised by an uncle who didn’t muchcare about her. She also ended up marryingGabe Ugliano, who was a world-class jerk. Asyou can see, she didn’t have very good luck!

Scoring:

What would you score this answer?

How does yours stack up against this one?