How To Answer A Question In Seven Easy Steps!

Step 1) Read the question.

It may seem obvious, but the first thing you need to know is what information you should include in your answer. This will help you stay on track.

Step 2) Restate the question.

There are two rules that you should follow when restating the question.
Rule 1: Do not start your answer with a question word (who, what, where, when, why, or how)
Rule 2: Use as many words from the original question as you can in your answer.

Step 3) Add a "gist".

Rather than saying "Last night when I got home from school I made a sandwich, played with my friends, and did my homework.", try "Last night when I got home from school I did three things."
This will set you up to write a clear and detailed answer.
It will also show the person reading your answer how many things will be included in your answer.

Step 4) Include Transition Words

Click here to visit a page of transition words. (You will be taken away from this site by clicking on this link.)
We have been practicing using "first", "second", and "finally" in class.

Step 5) Add Details

This is when you can cut loose with your description and let those adjectives fly!
Example: First I made a cheese sandwich. However, this was no ordinary cheese sandwich! I found four types of cheese in the refrigerator and sliced piles of each onto the mouthwatering bread until gravity threatened to topple my cheese tower to the floor.
You get the idea.

Step 6) Repeat the "Transition - Detail" ~Process

Repeat this process until you have added the number of details that you said you would include in the gist (2 - 10)

Step 7) Conclusion

Your conclusion should include as much of the restatement as possible.
Example:

Step 8) Breath Deeply! You're finished!

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