MCAS Open Responses -- Generating Distinct Topics
As you recall, the big three qualities needed for the Open Responses on the MCAS are clear, complete, and accurate. Notice it doesn't say, "clear, understandable, and complete," because "understandable" is too close to "clear." It also doesn't say, "clear, complete, and thorough" because "complete and thorough" are synonymous. Likewise, it doesn't say, "complete, accurate, and precise" -- same concept. Each attribute needs to be distinct or different enough to be its own topic.
So topics are best when they are distinct. When topics overlap (aren’t clearly delineated or set up), they probably won’t allow you to gather support from a wider area of the text, which could make your answer less complete.
But after you have set up your distinct topics, and while you are involved in a discussion of one of your topics, that's when synonyms are helpful. Let’s say a topic is how a character is trustworthy. Avoid repeating the word “trustworthy,” or it will be overused and lose some of its punch and power. Instead, that’s the place to use synonyms such as reliable, dependable and honest as you discuss particular details, actions, etc.
Directions: Of these three words, two overlap and are synonymous and one is clearly different. Identify the one that is clearly different. For example, if the three were TRUSTWORTHY, CARING, and RELIABLE, the one that is distinct is CARING. So if you were looking for three distinct topics, you might use TRUSTWORTHY, CARING, and keep looking or another one. Save the synonym "reliable" for your discussion of how "trustworthy" your character is.
This quiz requires you to log in.
Please enter your Quia username and password. |
|
|
|
