Overview

In this performance assessment, students will apply their skills in analyzing an author's text and specifically looking at how the overall structure develops the author’s ideals. Students will analyze the structure and elements of the writing to come to this conclusion. They will write these evaluations, ensuring they include strong introductions to establish context and demonstrate a command of writing conventions.

More specifically, students will be looking at an informational text from which they will then select specific pieces of evidence that support the author’s purpose. After collecting these pieces of evidence and reasoning, they will then write an introductory paragraph (that could pair with a larger essay; however, for this purpose, they are just expected to write an introduction). 

Students will be responding through written text. This can be done in any way that fits the classroom and general practices. Students may respond in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or paper and pencil. 

This assessment would be best used after a unit on identifying an author’s purpose, focusing on a variety of ways in which the author can build their purpose. This may also be a good fit after instruction on developing focused introductions, and students should have an understanding of conventions in writing. 

Details

Big Ideas & Competencies

Big Ideas Competencies

B. Reading Informational Text

Students can read with purpose, understand and analyze information and evidence to construct meaning in increasingly complex texts.

B2

Students can analyze how sections of text contribute to the overall structure and development of ideas.

C. Writing

Students can effectively communicate purpose to an intended audience through written language, using a variety of media.

C5

Students can write introductions that establish context (e.g., acknowledging opposing claims, previewing what’s to come, establishing point of view).

F. Style and Language

Students can apply conventions of grammar and use academic and domain-specific vocabulary.

F3

Students will write using a command of conventions.

NOTE ABOUT ASSESSMENT RUBRICS

Below are analytic teacher rubrics. The column on the left shows the dimension that is being measured in the student’s performance. The levels across the top row indicate the performance level in the dimensions. Occasionally all dimensions and performance levels are exemplified by multiple students in a single recording.

Teacher Rubric

Dimensions Not Yet Meeting Expectations Meeting Expectations Exceeding Expectations

Focus/Organization

  • Introduces a claim, but it does not begin to answer the intended question or is unfocused.
No exemplars at this time.
  • Introduces a claim, acknowledges the claim, but seems unfocused or includes little context.
No exemplars at this time.
  • Establishes a credible claim and maintains the claim throughout the paragraph in an insightful and coherent manner.
No exemplars at this time.

Comprehension

  • Supports a claim with unfounded reasons and/or evidence from the source.
No exemplars at this time.
  • Supports a claim with logical reasons and relevant evidence.
No exemplars at this time.
  • Supports a claim with logical and insightful reasoning and relevant context.
No exemplars at this time.

Use of Conventions

  • Uses ineffective sentence structures, creating an informal style and tone.  
  • Uses generic vocabulary to identify and explain the topic and/or supporting information.
No exemplars at this time.
  • Uses precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to identify and explain the topic and supporting information.  
  • Uses grade-appropriate grammar and conventions; errors are minor and do not interfere with meaning and readability.
No exemplars at this time.
  • Uses precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to identify and explain the topic, ideas, and concepts, and supporting information.  
  • Uses advanced and varied sentence structures to establish a formal style and tone.
No exemplars at this time.

Leave Feedback for this Assessment

What did you like? Did you need to revise anything? How could we make this assessment better? Our Assessments are written by teachers for you, so your feedback is important to us!

Comments about items may be moderated and/or reposted to aid item improvement and teacher learning. By leaving a comment, you agree that we can use your comment without attributing it to you.

You must be logged in to leave feedback.

Don't have an account? Register Here

Log in