Open-Ended Responses 101



Open-Ended Responses 101

What is an OER?

OER stands for Open-Ended Response. It is very similar to an answer you would write for a short answer

question on a test or quiz. OERs specifically refer to the type of questions you will find on the reading TAKS test beginning in 9th grade. In addition to multiple choice questions, you will be asked to write several OERs on the reading portion of the test. All questions require students to cite relevant, accurate, and specific textual evidence (quotes). Similar to the writing test, there is a specific rubric that the graders use to score student OERs.

What types of questions are asked for OERs?

There are 3 different classifications of OERs:

• Open-ended Literary Questions

• Open-ended Expository Questions

• Open-ended Crossover Questions

Open-ended Literary Questions focus on literary elements such as theme, character traits, and figurative language.

Example: How does ____________ change from the beginning to the end of “_________”?

Open-ended Expository Questions ask you to develop interpretations, draw conclusions, and analyze the text.

Example: Why is “________________” a good title for the selection?

Open-ended Crossover Questions ask you to analyze two different texts and answer a specific question related to both selections.

Example: How is ____________ an important theme in both “_________” and “__________”.

How are OERs graded?

OERs are graded on a point system much like the writing portion of the TAKS test. Unlike the writing 4 point scale, OERs are weighted on a 3 point scale. On the back of this page is a general summary of the grading scheme.

What advice would be helpful for writing an OER?

Remember the 4 R’s: Read – the question carefully and closely

Reflect – on what the question means

Re-read – the passage

Respond – to the question

And finally to ANSWER the question – a helpful formula: OER = ABC2

A = Answer the question (give a thesis statement)

B = Back it up with a quote (find textual evidence from the passage to support your opinion)

C = Connect the quote to the answer (provide commentary that establishes a connection between A&B)

C = Conclude the paragraph (summarize your point in one sentence)

(You many use steps 2 &3 more than once if you have more textual evidence

and commentary to support your answer, but do not use one step without the other).

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