SCORE SHEET
SAMPLE SCORE ______
Student / My Score
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2. / ______
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2 Point Constructed Response

English MSL Practice Item

The question you read next will require you to answer in writing.

1. Write your answer on separate paper.

2. Be sure to write your name on each page.

Explain how the author’s choice of structure contributes to his meaning. Include one relevant example to support your answer.

Rubric

2-Point Constructed Response

Score 0 / No response or the response does not address the prompt
Score 1 / Fulfills only 1 of 2 requirements of a level 2 performance
Score 2 / Clearly and coherently explains how the author’s choice of structurecontributes to his meaning; Supports answer with one relevant example from the text.

English MSLPractice Item

Practice Student Answer

Last line of the first paragraph is written as if the author is willing and maybe even honored, but when this crafty writer starts the next paragraph with “Surely,” this reader said hold on just one minute! The order of this information packed a backhanded compliment.

Student Response 1

The author means to give a definition of democracy by giving specific examples. He puts these in an interesting order to keep people reading.

Student Response 2

The 2 “Democracy is…” sentences in the very middle slow the reader’s pace down after galloping through other examples. It’s like he’s saying, Watch out. Something important’s about to happen.

Student Response 3

Putting the “mustard on the hot dog” after “the beginning of the ninth” is smart. People would wonder where the hot dog came from.

Student Response 4

  • “It is…It is… It is” sentences at the beginning of the examples
  • gentle rhythm
  • democracy // pleasant sense
  • the War Board is happy

Student Response 5

The author uses a lot of structure in this story. He wants to make people think. He likes democracy, but he doesn’t want people toohave to easy of a definition in thier head.

Student Response 6

In this piece the general organizational structure of the entire response is the single element that creates the power and ultimate sarcastic tone. The beginning has an element of honor, the middle supports the greatness of democracy and the task requested, the end is the twisting of the figurative knife to those seated delicately in the safety of a meeting room “in the middle of the morning in the middle of a war.”

Student Response 7

He tells them his purpose in the beginning which is what my teacher taught me to do so I bet he had a really really good teacher!

Student Response 8

He gives lots of examples to make his point. He talks about the good things it does for us and lists them like hot dogs and coffee

Student Response 9

Idea disproved YET

Song of words WHICH HAVE NOT GONE BAD

Cream in the RATIONED COFFEE

Student Response 10

Sentences are short in the beginning and move quickly then the sentences are longer to make the reader hear the words…the beginning reminds me of slogans and jingles they roll off your tongue, but if it’s important, it should marinate