Constructed Responses

Today in class we learned about summarizing fiction, short story structure, and how to write a constructed response. Constructed responses are what many of us grew up calling "short answer questions" -- questions that require a paragraph-length response. Constructed responses show up on the NECAP exams in math, English, and science. The basic way to answer the question is to write a paragraph that follows this structure:
First, restate the question in one sentence that gives "the gist" of your answer.
Next, using your own words and at least two quotations from the text, provide supporting details that explain your answer.
Finally, conclude your paragraph with a re-statement of your answer.