Short Answer Responses

1. Short Answer Responses • Sentence One: Start with a thesis that clearly answers the prompt • Sentence Two: Back up your thesis with evidence from the text (a blended quote) • On the actual STAAR test you don’t have to document quotes because it takes up valuable space in your answer box. Therefore, you will not have to provide documentation for the test on block day. • Sentence Three: Conclude with your own analysis (Answer the question – “so what!?”)

2. Example One How is Odysseus’ hubris tested in Part Two of the Odyssey? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. Create a thesis: Odysseus’ hubris is tested in Part Two of the Odyssey when… (take the prompt’s exact wording and turn it into a statement) Sentence One: Odysseus’ hubris is tested in Part Two of the Odyssey when he has to hide his identity and his anger in order to defeat the suitors.

3. Example One How is Odysseus’ hubris tested in Part Two of the Odyssey? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. Sentence Two: Provide evidence from the text that backs up your assertion. An easy way to start this is by saying “This is proven when…” This is proven when Odysseus keeps silent as he strings the bow, even when the other suitors are teasing him and “jest[ing] among themselves”.

4. Example One How is Odysseus’ hubris tested in Part Two of the Odyssey? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. Provide analysis: So what? Why does the quote you chose back up the claim you are making in your prompt? Sentence Three: By staying in disguise throughout the test of the bow and not losing his temper, Odysseus is proving that he has changed throughout his journey because he has learned to control his emotions and keep his ego in check.

5. Example One How is Odysseus’ hubris tested in Part Two of the Odyssey? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. Complete short answer response: Odysseus’ hubris is tested in Part Two of the Odyssey when he has to hide his identity and his anger in order to defeat the suitors. This is proven when Odysseus keeps silent as he strings the bow, even when the other suitors are teasing him and “jest[ing] among themselves”. By staying in disguise throughout the test of the bow and not losing his temper, Odysseus is proving that he has changed throughout his journey because he has learned to control his emotions and keep his ego in check.

6. Single Selection vs. Crossover • Single selection is only analyzing one story, while a crossover question on STAAR is comparing two different selections. (In our case, comparing Part 1 versus Part 2). • In the crossover question, you are provided more space (10 lines as opposed to 8) • It’s important in the crossover question to provide evidence from both selections.

7. Crossover Example • Analyze Odysseus’ character change from Part 1 to Part 2. Discuss how this change contributes to his role as an epic hero. Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. Thesis Statement: Odysseus’ character changes from Part 1 to Part 2 in that he goes from a very prideful individual who wants global fame to a man who simply wants to go back to the life he once had.

8. Crossover Example • Analyze Odysseus’ character change from Part 1 to Part 2. Discuss how this change contributes to his role as an epic hero. Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. Evidence: In Part 1, Odysseus’ ego gets the best of him when he yells out to Polyphemus that “Odysseus, raider of cities, took [his] eye”. However, readers see a change in Odysseus in Part 2 when he waits to reveal an identifying “old scar from the tusk wound [he] got boar hunting” until the most opportune moment.

9. Crossover Example • Analyze Odysseus’ character change from Part 1 to Part 2. Discuss how this change contributes to his role as an epic hero. Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. Analysis: The fact that Odysseus only lets a few trusted people know who he is reveals that he has changed tremendously since the beginning of the epic. Odysseus realizes that glory and fame are not the most important priorities anymore.

10. Crossover Example • Analyze Odysseus’ character change from Part 1 to Part 2. Discuss how this change contributes to his role as an epic hero. Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. Complete Short Answer Response: Odysseus’ character changes from Part 1 to Part 2 in that he goes from a very prideful individual who wants global fame to a man who simply wants to go back to the life he once had. In Part 1, Odysseus’ ego gets the best of him when he yells out to Polyphemus that “Odysseus, raider of cities, took [his] eye”. However, readers see a change in Odysseus in Part 2 when he waits to reveal an identifying “old scar from the tusk wound [he] got boar hunting” until the most opportune moment. The fact that Odysseus only lets a few trusted people know who he is reveals that he has changed tremendously since the beginning of the epic. Odysseus realizes that glory and fame are not the most important priorities anymore.

11. On Your Own… Attempt to write a response for the following two prompts • Analyze the use of dramatic irony in the story. How does it help Odysseus defeat the suitors? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. • Identify and compare the use of allies between Part 1 and Part 2. Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection.