R.5

Description: Analyze the structure of texts, including how specific sentences, paragraphs, and larger portions of the text (e.g., a section, chapter, scene, stanza) relate to each other and the whole.
Maps to Reading Plus skills: 5A, 5A

Exemplars

5A: Examining Text Structure

5A: Examining Text Structure

Description: Examining Text Structure

SeeReader
✓ standard met

Selection: HiB-23

HiB-23

Grade level: 2
Word count: 1133 words
Author: L. Frank Baum
Synopsis: Dorothy is in for a most unusual ride.
Excerpt: When Aunt Em came there to live she was a young, pretty wife. The sun and wind had changed her, too. They had taken the sparkle from her eyes. They turned her eyes a serious gray. They had taken the red from her cheeks and lips. They were gray also. She was thin and gaunt, and never smiled now.

Uncle Henry never laughed. He was gray also, from his long beard to his rough boots. He looked stern and solemn. He rarely spoke.

Question: Based on this excerpt, the color gray is repeated to give the idea that Aunt Em and Uncle Henry are
  1. serious.
  2. happy.
  3. confused.
  4. energetic.

Writing
✓ standard met

Writing prompt: Why would an author choose to tell a story that does not follow chronological order? Use an example from a fictional story you have read to support your argument.

Evaluator

Organization: Certica Solutions

5A: Examining Text Structure

5A: Examining Text Structure

Description: Examining Text Structure

SeeReader
~ standard partially met

Selection: B-11

B-11

Grade level: 2
Word count: 1026 words
Author: Tracey Baptiste
Synopsis: What makes a good pet? Loyalty? Friendliness? Fur?
Excerpt: No excerpt is available for this question.
Question: How does the author organize the information in this selection?
  1. Things are compared to see how they are similar or different from one another.
  2. One problem is presented and many possible solutions are described.
  3. Information is presented randomly and is not organized.
  4. Events are described in alphabetical order.

Writing
~ standard partially met

Writing prompt: Explain an author's use of description in a selection, and how the description shaped the way you viewed and understood the person, object, or event described.

Evaluator

Organization: Certica Solutions