Having read a challenging text, students infer tone and explain how word choice conveys the narrator's tone/attitude toward central character. This slideshow shares student exemplars linked to a rubric, showing grading criteria and levels of

1. “every student career and
college ready”
Literacy Interim I
BHS Student Exemplars
“Uncle Wilbur”

2. Infer tone & RL. 6.4 RL. 7.4
explain how Determine the meaning of Determine the meaning of words
words and phrases as they and phrases as they are used in a
specific word are used in a text, including text, including figurative and
choice convey figurative and connotative connotative meanings; analyze
the tone. meanings; analyze the the impact of rhymes and other
impact of specific word repetitions of sounds (e.g.
Learning Goal: choices on meaning and alliteration) on a specific verse or
tone. stanza of a poem or section of a
Interpret words story or drama.
and phrases as RL. 8.4 RL. 9-10.4
they are used in Determine the meaning of Determine the meaning of words
the text, including words and phrases as they and phrases as they are used in a
determining are used in a text, including text, including figurative and
figurative and connotative connotative meanings; analyze
technical, meanings; analyze the the cumulative impact of specific
connotative, and impact of specific word word choices on meaning and
figurative choices on meaning and tone (e.g., how the language
tone, including analogies or evokes a sense of time and
meanings, and allusions to other texts. place; how it sets a formal or
analyze how informal tone).
specific word RL. 11-12.4
choice shape Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used
meaning or tone. in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze
the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone,
including words with multiple meanings or language that is
particularly fresh, engaging, or beautiful. (Include Shakespeare
as well as other authors.)

3. 1350L Open Response
Prompt
Explain the narrator’s
attitude (or tone) toward
Uncle Wilbur. Choose two
words from the passage
that BEST convey the tone.
For each word, explain the
connotation and how the
CCSS Recommended Lexile Bands
9th – 10th 11th-CCR word reveals the narrator’s
attitude toward Uncle
1050-1335 1185-1385
Wilbur.

4. 4—Advanced 3—Proficient 2—Basic 1—Below Basic
Inference Draws thought-provoking Draws correct inference Makes accurate inference Inference is inaccurate,
inference(s) about the about the attitude/tone but but offers no evidence to not supported by the
attitude/tone of the passage . is less compelling than the support. passage .
“4.” OR
Inference is overly
simplistic.
OR
Analyzes character, instead
of tone.
Evidence Selects two words that offer Selects two words as Textual evidence weakly Omits evidence,
compelling evidence of the evidence from the text to supports inference. OR
tone. correctly support tone, but Evidence doesn’t logically
evidence is not as compelling support the inference(s).
or strongly related to tone as
the level “4.”
Explanatio Thoroughly explains the Explains the connotations of Explanation is weak, Omits explanation.
n connotations of two selected two selected words showing student does not OR
words and how they convey accurately, but explanation is firmly grasp the tone of the Explanation shows
the tone of the piece. less compelling and/or passage. inaccurate reading of
Explanation is compelling. thorough than the “4.” Does OR passage.
not thoroughly connect Student can’t accurately OR
connotations of words to explain ideas. Explanation doesn’t make
narrator’s attitude toward OR sense.
Wilbur. Student explains character
rather than tone.

5. 4—Advanced
Career & College Ready
Infers Draws thought-provoking inference(s) about
the attitude/tone (how narrator feels toward
Wilbur)
Evidence Selects two words that offer
compelling evidence of the tone.
Explanatio Thoroughly explains the connotations
of two selected words and how they
n
convey the tone of the piece.
Explanation is compelling.

6. CCR
4

7. CCR
4

8. CCR
4

9. Tones not
accurately
connected to word
choice and
explanation.
3
Minimal Commentary/Significance

10. Analyzing character
of Wilbur, not tone
2 Minimal Commentary/Significance

11. Weak explanation
and evidence
Doesn’t develop
ideas
2 Minimal Commentary/Significance

12. Inaccurately
explains tone
toward Wilbur
1