Learning Scale Analyzing Word Choice

Although your learning goal has not changed, it is now more specific: I can identify the author’s tone, compare/contrast the connotation of the author’s word with a synonym, and write an effective analysis of the word choice.

Learning Targets I can understand the learning scale. I can view exemplary responses. I can use the scale to score a response.

4 I can identify the author’s tone, compare/contrast the connotation of the author’s word with a synonym, write an effective analysis of the word choice, and cite evidence (quote + analysis) to support the tone.

3 I can identify the author’s tone, compare/contrast the connotation of the author’s word with a synonym, and write an effective analysis of the word choice.

2 I can identify the author’s tone and compare/contrast the connotation of the author’s word with a synonym; I am not able to write an effective analysis of the word choice.

1 I can identify the author’s tone, but I am not yet able to compare/contrast the connotation of the author’s word with a synonym.

0 I am not yet able to identify the tone.

Formula for Success (Author’s word) supports the author’s ______ tone. The connotation of (author’s word) is ______ whereas (a synonym) is _______. The author is trying to say that (analysis of the word choice).

3 Charred supports the author’s appalled tone. The connotation of charred is strongly negative, as if their skins were blackened like burnt food, whereas burnt may suggest that their bodies were scarred or blistered; it doesn’t feel as negative. The author is trying to say that the way the girls died in the fire was tragic and horrific.

4 Charred supports the author’s appalled tone. The connotation of charred is strongly negative, as if their skins were blackened like burnt food, whereas burnt may suggest that their bodies were scarred or blistered; it doesn’t feel as negative. The author is trying to say that the way the girls died in the fire was tragic and horrific. *Furthermore, the author shows her appalled tone on page 108, “The Triangle disaster has revealed an appalling state of affairs that exists through the factory district of New York” and “the ultimate blame must be traced back to the inadequate building laws, and thence to an indifference or unawakened public that allowed such laws to be passed and to continue into existence.” When the author calls the laws inadequate and the public indifferent or unawakened, she is appalled at the current conditions in the factory.

(insert practice)

You’re the teacher Now that you have practiced with the scale, you and your shoulder partner/triad will score a writing sample for the following prompt: Why is charred a better word choice than burnt?

Use the writing scale to score this example Charred supports the author’s critical tone. The connotation of charred is strong whereas burnt is not as bad. The author is trying to say that the girls were badly hurt. 2 Ineffective analysis – Why did the author choose the word as it relates to the meaning of the text? The author wants to criticize the public for the death of many workers as a result of allowing such dangerous working conditions.

Use the writing scale to score this example Charred is a better choice because if you put in the word burnt, it wouldn’t make sense. They could have used a better word than charred. 0 Doesn’t identify the tone

Use the writing scale to score this example Charred is a better word than burnt because it supports the author’s tone, which is serious. 1 Doesn’t compare/contrast the connotation of the author’s word with a synonym – What feeling does charred give off? What about burnt? The connotation of charred is strongly negative, as if their skins were blackened like burnt food, whereas burnt may suggest that their bodies were scarred or blistered; it doesn’t feel as negative.

Use the writing scale to score this example Charred supports the author’s serious tone. The connotation of charred is a negative word whereas burnt is calmer and doesn’t feel as negative. The author is trying to say that the fire was drastic and deadly, and the bodies were just bodies; nothing was living. 3 Doesn’t cite evidence (quote + analysis) to support the tone – What quote supports the tone? The author shows her serious tone on page 108, “The Triangle disaster has revealed an appalling state of affairs that exists through the factory district of New York.” How does the quote support the tone? When the author says “an appalling state of affairs,” she is seriously referring to the dangers of the factories.