Links to Student Work
Student Work 1      

ELA

Performance Task

10 – 2 final

(Content Area)

 

(Grade Level-Task Number)

 

 

Standard(s):

 

Public Documents:

 

E6a The student critiques public documents with an eye to strategies common in public discourse, including:

E6a.1 effective use of argument

E6a.4 appeal to audiences both friendly and hostile to the position presented

E6a.5 use of emotionally laden words and imagery.

 

E6b The student produces public documents, in which the student:

E6b.1 exhibits an awareness of the importance of precise word choice and the power of

           imagery and/or anecdote

E6b.2 utilizes and recognizes the power of logical arguments, arguments based on

           appealing to a reader’s emotions, and arguments dependent upon the writer’s

           persona

E6b.3 uses arguments that are appropriate in terms of the knowledge, values and degree

           of understanding of the intended audience

E6b.4 uses a range of strategies to appeal to readers.

 

Writing

 

E2e – The student produces a persuasive essay that:

E2e.1 engages the reader by establishing a context, creating a persona, and
           otherwise developing reader interest

E2e.2  develops a controlling idea that makes a clear and knowledgeable judgment

E2e.3  creates an organizing structure that is appropriate to the needs, values, and

            interests of a specified audience, and arranges details, reasons, examples, and

            anecdotes effectively and persuasively

E2e.4  includes appropriate information and arguments

E3e.5  excludes information and arguments that are irrelevant

E2e.6  anticipates and addresses reader concerns and counter arguments

E2e.7  supports arguments with detailed evidence citing sources of information as

            appropriate

E2e.8  uses a range of strategies to elaborate and persuade, such as definitions

           descriptions, illustrations, examples from evidence, and anecdotes

E2e.9  provides a sense of closure to the writing.

 

Conventions, Grammar, and Usage of the English Language

 

E4a The student independently and habitually demonstrates an understanding of the rules of English language in written and oral work, and selects the structures and features of language appropriate to the purpose, audience, and the context of the work.  The student demonstrates control of:

E4a 1 grammar

E4a 2 paragraph structure

E4a 3 punctuation

E4a 4 sentence construction

E4a 5 spelling

E4a.6  usage.

 

The  Performance Task:

 

You have become a real advocate for change in a specific area of concern at your school, in your community or in our nation/world today. 

 

You are determined to make some changes in relation to this issue: first, increase the knowledge level of others, then change the feelings and thinking of others, and/or arouse others to action.  You will do this via a letter to the editor of the local newspaper, a letter to an elected town official, or a letter to a member of congress.    You will:

 

1.      Select an area of concern to you.

2.      Gather information about your concern from multiple sources: newspaper editorial, television news, videos, speeches, interviews (at least three sources).

3.      Critique at least one of your sources in terms of effective presentation of argument, persuasive language used.

4.      Determine what your goal is in writing the letter: change thinking, initiate a specific action.

5.      Organize information in a meaningful way to lead toward your goal (outline, mind map, arrangement of note cards, graphic organizer, etc.).

6.      Search for a rich vocabulary to support your position (emotion-laden words, metaphors, anecdotes, imagery).

7.      Write a persuasive letter of up to 500 words to your chosen recipient.

8.      Assure that all elements of a persuasive essay, as well as conventions of the English language, are used appropriately

9.      Participate in peer editing with a partner; ask for honest and helpful feedback and recommendations; rewrite letter.

10.  Turn in a copy of your letter to your teacher.  Also, turn in your critique of your source and how you organized your information.

 

 

Circumstances of Performance:

 

  X

alone

 

in a group

 

 

 

 

  X

in class

 

as homework

 

 

 

 

  X

with teacher feedback

  X

with peer feedback

 

 

 

 

 

timed

  X

extended project

 

 

 

 

  X

 

 

opportunity for revision

 

Criteria for Success:

 

1.      Persuasive letter of up to 500 words is completed and turned in to the teacher.

2.      The goal of the letter is clearly understood.

3.      Precise, rich language is used in letter.

4.      Critical elements of a persuasive essay are included in the letter.

5.      Conventions of the English language are used appropriately.

6.  Student completed critique of at least one public document.