RACES Writing Strategy: A Step by Step Guide
Let’s be honest—teaching students to write strong, well-supported responses can sometimes be a headache. Students tend to give one-word answers, forget to restate the questions or go off on a tangent. Luckily, there is a strategy for this—the RACES writing strategy!
This simple approach helps students craft clear, well-developed, constructed responses without confusion. Likewise, understanding how to teach the RACES writing strategy can help teachers communicate the process effectively.
What is the RACES Writing Strategy?
The RACES writing strategy is an easy-to-remember acronym to help students structure thorough responses to text-based questions. This strategy provides a clear framework to ensure students fully answer the question while using evidence from the text to support their thinking.
What does RACES stand for?
Each letter in RACES represents a step in the writing process:
- R – Restate the Question: Students restate the question in their own words.
- A – Answer the Question: Provide a clear and concise answer to the question.
- C – Cite Text Evidence: Provide examples from the text to support your answer.
- E – Explain: Clarify how your evidence supports your answer.
- S – Summarize: Sum up your response by rephrasing your answer and restating key points.
Why should teachers use the RACES strategy?
If you’ve ever asked students to respond to a text-based question, you’ve probably seen it all. I remember asking students to cite text evidence, and one student confidently wrote, “Because I just know.” Many upper elementary students struggle with writing complete responses. Most of the time, answers are short or incomplete. Teaching the RACES writing strategy helps guide students through each step.
This strategy is especially useful in upper elementary because it teaches students the foundations of strong academic writing. By using RACES, students become more confident writers and develop skills that prepare them for middle school and beyond.
Step #1 Getting Started with RACES
Start by simply introducing the acronym to students. Explain what each letter stands for and emphasize that it will help them construct well-organized written responses.
As you introduce the strategy, provide visual aids like RACES writing strategy posters around the classroom. Displaying posters in your classroom is a simple yet powerful way to reinforce the writing process and support student success.
Once taught, the RACES writing strategy can be spiraled back into learning at any time with any subject. I have found that providing students with a visual writing guide they can keep in their binder or a RACES bookmark allows them to reference the strategy throughout the year easily. Thankfully, the Citing Text Evidence RACES Pack has both of these ready to print!
Step #2 Model the RACES Writing Strategy
Before allowing students to dive into the process on their own, model it step by step. Begin by choosing a short passage and a text-based question. Then, provide students with RACES graphic organizer like the one found in the Citing Text Evidence RACES Pack. Read the passage together, and then think aloud as you demonstrate how to apply each part of the acronym using the graphic organizer.
- Start by restating the question in a complete sentence.
- Provide a direct answer.
- Guide students in finding relevant text evidence to support the response.
- Explain how the evidence proves the answer.
- Wrap up the response with a clear conclusion.
The graphic organizer is divided into sections for each step. Students can tick off a checklist for each step as the class completes the example together. Additionally, sentence starter suggestions for each step are provided on the graphic organizer.
Color coding different parts of the response can also be helpful. Practice highlighting the restatement in one color, the evidence in another, and the explanation in a third.
You provide students with a structured framework by modeling the strategy and referring back to a RACES anchor chart or classroom poster. For upper elementary students, this makes writing more approachable and less overwhelming.
Step #3 Guided Practice with the Class
Now that students have seen the RACES writing strategy in action, it’s time to apply it as a class. Instead of immediately assigning independent practice, allow the class to walk through a constructed writing response together (with the teacher as a guide, of course).
Choose an engaging passage for students to read. Work as a class to identify the key details that answer the text-based question. Then, work as a class to identify the best piece of evidence to support the response students create. This is a great opportunity for students to practice using the RACES graphic organizer again!
This structured, hands-on approach ensures that students see the strategy in action before trying it independently. If you need no prep materials, my Citing Text Evidence RACES Pack includes short, engaging passages and text-dependent questions, making it easy to guide students through the process.
Step #4 Partner or Small Group Practice
Honestly, this is my favorite step! It is when teachers see the magic of the RACES writing strategy at work.
Allow students to pair up or work in a small group. Assign a reading passage and a new text-based question. Encourage students to discuss their thoughts to verbalize their thinking. Additionally, discussion can clarify misunderstandings of the RACES writing strategy and strengthen their answers. As they collaborate, they can walk through each step—Restate, Answer, Cite, Explain, and Summarize—building confidence along the way. This is a perfect opportunity for struggling writers to practice writing constructed responses in a low-stakes way.
For an added layer of engagement, try a peer feedback activity! After groups complete their responses, have them swap with another group and use a simple RACES checklist to provide constructive feedback. This reinforces the strategy and encourages students to think critically about what makes a strong written response.
Step #5 RACES Writing Strategy Individual Practice
Now, it’s time for students to apply the RACES writing strategy independently. The Citing Text Evidence RACES Pack is perfect for this step! It includes 10 short, high-interest nonfiction passages, each paired with text-based questions.
Plus, each passage comes with a built-in RACES checklist so students can self-monitor their progress as they write. This pack is a must-have when teaching the RACES writing strategy!
Students can use the graphic organizers, RACES bookmarks, posters, and more each time they encounter a text-based question in any subject!
Step #6: Provide Ongoing Feedback and Reinforcement
Mastering the RACES writing strategy doesn’t happen overnight—it requires ongoing reinforcement and feedback. This helps students revise their responses and lets them know their writing efforts are recognized.
One of the best ways to do this is through peer reviews and teacher feedback. Encourage students to swap responses and use a simple checklist to provide constructive feedback. Additionally, displaying strong student examples can help model a well-developed response. This also gives students concrete examples to reference as needed.
To keep RACES writing at the forefront of students’ minds, make sure posters or reference charts are easily visible in your classroom for students to use as a daily guide. You can also incorporate fun activities like task cards, exit tickets, and challenge questions to reinforce the strategy throughout the year.
If you want to simplify this process, the Citing Text Evidence RACES Bundle has everything you need! It includes 20 nonfiction reading passages, anchor charts, writing strategy posters, graphic organizers, and a student writing guide.
Whether you’re working with struggling writers or looking for a structured way to prepare students for text-based questions on standardized tests, this bundle provides scaffolded support that makes teaching RACES writing stress-free and effective.
Save this Step by Step Guide!
The RACES writing strategy is a great tool that can be used consistently in your classroom. Make sure to save this post to your favorite reading or writing Pinterest board. You will be able to come back to this step-by-step guide as you implement the RACES writing strategy in your classroom.
