RACESBecoming better writers,

One paragraph at a time!!!

What is RACES?• RACES is an easy strategy

to write COMPLETE paragraphs!• Very easy to follow.• Use on PARCC, in Science,

SS, JOURNALS!!!!!

You be the judge….Brian Robeson is very brave.

Brian is brave because he landed the plane all by himself. He also went hunting, fishing, made a fire, and built a fort.

When he saw the plane crash he made his own raft and paddled

over to it. He dove into the plane and got the survival pack.

This was very brave.

You be the judge….The main character of the book Hatchet, Brian

Robeson, is extremely resourceful and intelligent. On page 123, it explains how “Brian

had sat a whole night and shaped the limbs carefully until the bow looked beautiful.” Not only did Brian patiently make a bow and arrow

to hunt, but he was able to make this using only the materials around him. Brian, a city boy, was

able to survive being stranded in the wilderness, a very incredible accomplishment

that shows tremendous skill and determination.

R- Restate the question• Take the question or topic and

RESTATE to start your paragraph….

What did you do yesterday? Yesterday, I….What were Brian’s character traits?Brian’s character traits included…

A- Answer the question• The second step is

your answer.• THINK about what

you believe the answer to be. • Draw your inference

based on the text/evidence!

C- Cite Evidence• Your thinking needs some

BACK UP!• Look back at the text and find ACTUAL EVIDENCE to support your ideas!• On page __, it says…• At the end, it states…

E- Explain/Elaborate• What’s the big deal!?• Answer any doubts/questions

your reader may be having.

EX- Brian built the bow and arrow with very few tools and limited knowledge showing great intelligence!!!

S- Sum it upProvide a CLINCHER for your

answer. Use new wording. Make your reader THINK/CONNECT!

Let’s practice….What are some differences between elementary school

and middle school?