Writing: Extended Response to Source Texts
The extended response asks you to read one or more short sources and write a developed text that uses them. Common tasks are an argument, an explanation or a report. Before writing, identify the task words (discuss, explain, argue, compare), the audience and the required length. Then plan: state a clear thesis or controlling idea, select two or three relevant points from the sources, and decide how to organise them - usually introduction, body paragraphs with one idea each, and conclusion.
Integrate source material by paraphrasing and quoting briefly, and attribute ideas ('According to the council report...'). Do not copy long passages; examiners reward your own framing. Use cohesive devices (firstly, moreover, in contrast, consequently) to link sentences and paragraphs, and vary sentence length for readability. Formal register means avoiding slang and contractions.
Traps include summarising the sources without answering the question, ignoring a source that offers a counter-argument, writing an unbalanced one-sided response when discuss is required, and running out of time because of over-planning. Leave several minutes to check subject-verb agreement, tense consistency and spelling.
Rule of thumb: every body paragraph should contain a point, evidence from a source, and explanation linking back to your thesis.
Worked example: For 'Argue whether the town should fund a new library', a weak answer lists library facts. A strong answer claims 'The library is a sound investment', supports it with a source statistic on literacy programmes, acknowledges the cost objection, and rebuts it.