E3.6.D
Description:
Analyze how the historical, social, and economic context of setting(s) influences the plot, characterization, and theme.
Maps to Reading Plus skills:
1A, 2B, 3B, 3C
Exemplars
1A: Recalling Explicit Details
1A: Recalling Explicit Details
Description:
Identifying explicit details including character, time, setting and speaker
SeeReader
✓ standard met
Selection:
L-9
L-9
Grade level: 12
Word count: 2379 words
Author: Francois Coppee
Synopsis: A discarded crust of bread transforms the lives of two soldiers.
Excerpt:
So much the worse for me! Now I am going to commence to be devoured by hunger again for, believe me friend, if you will, I have suffered from hunger all my life."
The words were startling, especially to a duke who had just been dreamily longing for the kitchen of the Cafe Anglais, and Henri de Hardimont regarded his companion in almost terrified amazement.
The words were startling, especially to a duke who had just been dreamily longing for the kitchen of the Cafe Anglais, and Henri de Hardimont regarded his companion in almost terrified amazement.
Question:
What about Jean-Victor strikes Hardimont as "startling"?
- Jean-Victor's struggle with starvation
- Jean-Victor's obsession with war
- Jean-Victor's preoccupation with poverty
- Jean-Victor's fascination with history
Writing
✓ standard met
Writing prompt:
What are some clues you found in a selection that let you know when and where the selection takes place even though the author does not overtly state this information?
Evaluator
Organization:
Certica Solutions
2B: Analyzing Relative Importance
2B: Analyzing Relative Importance
Description:
Determining Relative Importance
SeeReader
✓ standard met
Selection:
L-12
L-12
Grade level: 12
Word count: 2364 words
Author: Diane Lang
Synopsis: After Dustyn enrolls in Graffiti Studio, his creative juices start to flow.
Excerpt:
"Do you mean Jorge, the famous DP, director of photography, who has shot major movies; you ever hear of Disney or Sony pictures, where he is their main man? The Graffiti Studio's modus operandi is to snag famous or semi-famous artists to impart not necessarily their trade but their passion; do you have something you're passionate about?"
Question:
The Graffiti Studio could best be described as
- a stimulating and professional environment.
- an exact replica of a Disney or Sony studio.
- an alternative high school program.
- a place to improve your academic knowledge.
Writing
✓ standard met
Writing prompt:
Develop a survey that asks readers to rate different elements (characters, actions, events, motivations, etc.) in a selection according to their importance to the plot.
Evaluator
Organization:
Certica Solutions
3B: Analyzing Plot/Character
3B: Analyzing Plot/Character
Description:
Analyzing setting, plot, and character
SeeReader
✓ standard met
Selection:
L-11
L-11
Grade level: 12
Word count: 2359 words
Author: Diane Lang
Synopsis: Two techie students challenge themselves to develop an innovative means of transportation.
Excerpt:
"I'm so sorry, Dad; I wish I could help." Sipping her chocolate malt, a spark ignited inside Ariel, and sitting up straight, she said, "I'm going to create a masterpiece for you, Dad! We have autopilots for airplanes, why not for cars? Brock and I are going to develop a rig for blind people!"
Question:
How does Ariel react when her dad tells her he has stage four, diabetic retinopathy?
- She was sympathetic, but hopeful that he would drive again.
- She decided to focus on the fine arts, because masterpieces were important to him.
- She wanted him to have an eye operation that would help him regain his vision.
- She felt despondent because she knew he would never drive again.
Writing
✓ standard met
Writing prompt:
Imagine you are the main character in a selection you read. Would your emotional reactions to events in the selection be the same as those of the actual character? Explain why or why not.
Evaluator
Organization:
Certica Solutions
3C: Analyzing Cause/Effect
3C: Analyzing Cause/Effect
Description:
Analyzing Cause and Effect
SeeReader
✓ standard met
Selection:
L-23
L-23
Grade level: 12
Word count: 3221 words
Author: Stephen Crane
Synopsis: What will happen to the four men who have been shipwrecked for more than 30 hours?
Excerpt:
The piece of life-preserver lay under him, and sometimes he whirled down the incline of a wave as if he were on a hand sled.
But finally he arrived at a place in the sea where travel was beset with difficulty. He did not pause swimming to inquire what manner of current had caught him, but there his progress ceased. The shore was set before him like a bit of scenery on a stage, and he looked at it and understood with his eyes each detail of it.
But finally he arrived at a place in the sea where travel was beset with difficulty. He did not pause swimming to inquire what manner of current had caught him, but there his progress ceased. The shore was set before him like a bit of scenery on a stage, and he looked at it and understood with his eyes each detail of it.
Question:
At first the correspondent makes good progress as he swims to shore, but then
- a strong current grabs hold of him.
- a rope on the lifeboat wraps around his leg.
- the captain's hand grabs his arm and pulls him under the waves.
- the cook's life-belt tangles around his neck.
Writing
✓ standard met
Writing prompt:
Give an example of how recognizing cause and effect helped you better understand the plot development of a selection.
Evaluator
Organization:
Certica Solutions