Context Clues
The diplomat gave a tactful response, choosing his words carefully so no one at the meeting would feel insulted.
What does tactful mean?
What is considerate, careful with words
“After failing the test, Maria reviewed every mistake and created a new study plan.”
What character trait does this reveal?
What is responsible, reflective, determined?
Which is the stronger argument? Explain.
Excerpt A: In an interview with a reporter, some parents believe "that daily reading time is unnecessary because students already read at home and should use school time for more interactive activities".
Excerpt B: A local school district reported that after introducing daily independent reading time, student vocabulary scores increased by 12% over two semesters. Teachers also noted improved classroom engagement, although no formal behavioral study was conducted.
What is...
Argument B is more credible because it uses research or study from the local district while argument A is a quote from a parent, not an expert.
In Annotations for fiction text find the mistake below:
Problem: Gianna was nervous about starting high school -- new people, teachers, building. Everything about that next step scared her
Outcome: Gianna is now comfortable and excited because her new best friend is also on the same basketball team as her.
Central Idea: Gianna was first nervous of starting high school but after making friends that are also on her basketball team, she is now looking forward to it.
Theme: Starting the next chapter is scary because there is so much unknowns.
What is the theme?
Remember the theme has to be based on BOTH the problem and the outcome
Correct theme: Starting something new can feel frightening at first, but it often leads to unexpected and positive experiences.
What is the strategy to annotate a fiction text?
What is..
Characters
Setting
Conflict
Outcome
Motif
Central Idea
theme
As we entered the abandoned building, the foreboding silence, the broken windows, and the flickering lights made everyone uneasy.”
What does foreboding most nearly mean?
What is threatening or ominous?
“The coach’s voice was sharp, his expression stern, and his commands brief.”
What is the tone of this passage?
What is serious, intense?
Which argument is more reliable?
A: Researchers from the National Sleep Institute studied 4,800 high school students over five years and found that students who slept at least eight hours scored significantly higher on memory and attention assessments.
B: Several students said they felt fine after sleeping only five hours and did not believe more sleep would improve their performance.
Argument A is more reliable because is it based on research and study by the National Sleep Institute, while argument B is based on opinions.
For a non-fiction text, which of the following is NOT a key idea annotation? Explain.
KI 1: The author argues that higher levels of education increase a person’s chances of earning a stable income.
KI 2: The text explains how education influences people’s lives and the world around them.
KI 3: The author explains that schools do more than teach academics — they also develop critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
What is
KI 3: It is too vague and doesn't give a specific picture of how people or the world are influenced by education
What's the strategy to annotate a nonfiction text and explain each one?
What is...
Big topic - topic based on title (1-2 words)
Thesis - the central idea/ purpose of the text
3 Key ideas - the specific main ideas that build the thesis
Structure - how the text is organized
SHERPS - What type of credible evidence is used?
“Despite repeated criticism, the author remained tenacious, continuing to defend his position and refuse to give up.”
What does tenacious most nearly mean?
What is persistent, determined?
“I’m terrible at math. I’ll never understand this,” Jordan muttered, pushing the worksheet away.
The next day, Jordan stayed after class, asked for help, and completed every problem.
How does the author develop Jordan's character in the excerpt above?
What is...
The author uses dialogue and action to develop Jordan's character from discouraged and avoidant to determined and proactive.
A university economics department conducted a four-year study on after-school tutoring programs in 38 public high schools across three states. Researchers analyzed enrollment records, attendance, standardized test scores, and graduation data for more than 12,000 students. Schools that consistently implemented structured tutoring programs saw an average graduation-rate increase of 9%, with especially strong gains among students previously identified as academically at risk. The study concluded that tutoring programs contributed significantly to long-term academic success.
Which statement is supported the least by the excerpt?
A. Tutoring programs contributed to higher graduation rates.
B. Tutoring programs were particularly helpful for students at academic risk.
C. Tutoring programs guaranteed that all students would succeed.
D. The study included data from thousands of students over multiple years.
What is the mistake below in the claim for the question -- How does the author develop the theme in "Sea Fever"?
Claim: The author develops the theme in "Sea Fever" using imagery and figurative language.
What is...
Missing the theme
Question: How does the author develop the theme in "Sea Fever"?
Answer has to have a CRAFT MOVE + THEME
What are the annotation strategy for multiple choice questions and which two are the MOST IMPORTANT to do with intention for success?
What is...
B - break down the question (think AWE)
R - Return to the text and jot down the most important key words
A - answer in your own words
T - trash and pick
Two most important are R and A. Students who apply them with intention tend to master assessments!
“She carefully pruned the rose bushes, cutting away dead branches so the plant could grow stronger.”
What does pruned most nearly mean?
What is trimmed or cut back?
This project is pointless, Elena thought to herself, staring out the window.
Later, she volunteered to lead the group and carefully organized the presentation slides.
How does the author demonstrate the change in Elena’s attitude?
What is...
The author demonstrates the change in Elena's attitude from uninterested to engaged and responsible through inner thoughts and actions.
Excerpt
In a multi-state longitudinal study, researchers compared high schools that invested in after-school tutoring with those that did not. The study examined graduation rates, standardized test scores, and course completion for over 15,000 students. The data indicated that schools with sustained tutoring programs consistently outperformed schools without them in graduation rates, especially among students who had struggled academically in prior years.
Question
Which statement is supported the least by the excerpt?
A. Sustained tutoring programs were linked to higher graduation rates.
B. Tutoring programs guaranteed that no student would struggle academically.
C. The study included students who were previously struggling academically.
D. Schools without tutoring programs had comparatively lower graduation rates.
What is B?
What are the 2 mistakes below for the question: What does the word foreboding in paragraph 10 of the passage?
In the excerpt, the word foreboding means a feeling that something bad or unpleasant is about to happen. The text states that “the silence in the long hallway felt foreboding”. This is important because it shows foreboding means something bad. The text also says “the walls themselves were warning her that everything was about to change.” This shows my claim that foreboding means unpleasant.
What is...
The analysis repeats the claim. Instead it should identify the type of hint (synonym, antonym, or example) and paraphrase the evidence to connect back to the claim.
Can you correct it for a bonus 200 points?
What're the annotations for poetry and explain each one?
Speaker - who is talking?
Subject - what are they talking about?
Tone - what is the poet's attitude towards the subject
Literal Meaning - summarize what is being said
Deeper Meaning - what is the theme/message
“Owls and bats are nocturnal animals; they rest during the day and become active after sunset.”What does nocturnal most nearly mean?
What is active at night
The town was lively, with laughter spilling from every doorway. After the hurricane, the sirens wailed, people fell silent, faces pale, footsteps slow.How does the excerpt above develop the tone?
What is...
The tone changes from cheerful and lively to tense and somber through the use of imagery
Which argument is more effective? Explain
1) In 1910, a popular psychology textbook argued that intelligence was largely inherited and could not be improved through practice or education. The text referenced a few case studies of children performing poorly in school, suggesting that their outcomes were predetermined by birth. Researchers at the time did not have standardized IQ tests, brain imaging, or large-scale data, and conclusions were drawn mainly from anecdotal observation of individual students.
2) A 2022 study published in Cognitive Neuroscience Journal analyzed the effects of targeted brain-training exercises on working memory and problem-solving skills in adolescents. Researchers tested 1,500 students over a two-year period, tracking IQ scores, memory tasks, and neural activity using fMRI scans. They found that students who engaged in structured cognitive exercises improved their working memory by an average of 14%, and neuroimaging showed increased neural connectivity in areas associated with learning and attention. The study concluded that intelligence is not fixed, and that structured mental training can enhance cognitive function.
Argument 2 is more effective because it uses current studies and data to support it's claim that training can develop the brain while argument 1 is using information from 1910, it is outdated.
Find the 9 capitalization mistakes and correct them:
in story, "one last trip", last summer, we traveled to new york City to visit my aunt sarah. She lives near the hudson River and works at the Museum of modern Art. On monday, we walked through Central Park and ate pizza before returning to the Hotel.
1. in - In: First word of a sentence must be capitalized.
2. "on last trip" - "One Last Trip": title of short story
3. new york City - New York City: Proper noun: names of cities and states are capitalized.
4.sarah - Sarah: A person’s name is a proper noun.
5. hudson River - Hudson River: Name of a specific river — both words capitalized.
6. modern - Modern: Part of the official name Museum of Modern Art.
7. monday - Monday: Days of the week are proper nouns.
8. Hotel - hotel: Common noun, not a specific hotel name.
9. River (in hudson River)River (needs capital)Part of proper noun.
In questions what are the annotations for the 5 ELA skills or terms below:
Central idea -
Theme -
Reveal about character -
Perspective/POV/attitude -
Symbolizes -
Figurative language -
Change/impact/influence/develop
Evaluate/how well:
What is...
Central idea - con+res
Theme - message
Reveal about character - trait
Perspective/POV/attitude -feeling/belief
Symbolizes - represents
Figurative language - name FL type
Change/impact/influence/develop Before and After
Evaluate/how well: judge, measure, strong or not?