This document outlines targets and assessments for teaching students to analyze how an author's choices impact elements in a story or drama. Students will analyze settings, characters, plot sequences and their development and relationships. They will determine how these elements support themes. Assessments include analyzing story elements, character analyses, determining author's purpose, and evaluating how setting impacts tone and plot supports themes. Students will also write reflections on weekly news articles. The goal is for students to understand how author choices develop a story and how elements relate.

1. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.3:​ Analyze the impact of the author’s choices regarding how to develop and relate elements of a story or drama (e.g., where a story is set, how the
action is ordered, how the characters are introduced and developed).
English 11: RL.11-12.3 (Analyze Impact of Author's Choices: Setting, Characterization, & Order of Events)
Targets Student Tasks to Reach Targets Assessments (Formative &
Summative)
Resources
1. Analyze basic elements of
a story
A. Determine setting,
characters, plot, conflict,
theme, and tone
B. Understand elements of
plot
C. Analyze the relationship
between story elements
D. Know how plot supports
theme
● Analyze Story Elements ● Google Slides Presentation:
Introduction to RL.11-12.3
● Collaborative Terms:
RL.11-12.3
● The Crucible: Act 1, Scene 1
(Arthur Miller)
● The Crucible: Act 1, Scene 2
(Arthur Miller)
● The Crucible: Act 2​ (Arthur
Miller)
● The Crucible: Act 3​ (Arthur
Miller)
2. Determine and analyze
character personality and
motivation
A. Define direct
characterization vs.
indirect characterization
● Character Analysis Chart ● Direct vs. Indirect
Characterization

2. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.3:​ Analyze the impact of the author’s choices regarding how to develop and relate elements of a story or drama (e.g., where a story is set, how the
action is ordered, how the characters are introduced and developed).
3. Analyze the impact of the
author’s choices
regarding character
development throughout
the story
A. Compare and contrast
characters in the story
B. Determine character
traits
C. Find textual evidence to
support claims regarding
character traits
D. Determine character
motivation
● Author’s Purpose Chart
● RL.11-12.3 Assessment
● Author’s Purpose Chart: Mean
Girls
4. Analyze the impact of the
author’s choices
regarding the setting
A. Determine the setting of a
story
B. Identify how setting
impacts tone
● Analyze Setting
● Analyze Story & Author
Context
● (See resources above)
5. Analyze the impact of the
author’s choices
regarding the plot
sequence
A. Determine the rising
action, climax, and falling
action of a story
B. Determine conflicts in the
story
C. Know how plot supports
theme
● Analyze Plot ● (See resources above)

3. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.3:​ Analyze the impact of the author’s choices regarding how to develop and relate elements of a story or drama (e.g., where a story is set, how the
action is ordered, how the characters are introduced and developed).
6. Write routinely over
extended time frames and
shorter time frames
A. Read a news article each
week
B. Highlight important
information and areas of
confusion
C. Write a one page
reflection on the article
● Article of the Week: ​Quarter 1
Assessment (Option 1)
● Article of the Week: ​Quarter 1
Assessment (Option 2)
● Article of the Week (4)
● Article of the Week (5​)
● Article of the Week (6)