Pen It to Win It
DOUBLE JEOPARDY!!!!
This part of your SCR should directly answer the prompt in a clear focused sentence.
What is a thesis statement?
This is the reason why an author writes a text.
What is the author's purpose?
What is "setting" in a story?
DOUBLE JEOPARDY: This terms describes the author's attitude toward the subject or audience, revealed through word choice and style.
What is tone?
DOUBLE JEOPARDY: A student in a story avoids eye contact, speaks in short, clipped sentences, and keeps glancing at the clock.
What can you infer about the student's emotional state, and how specific details support your conclusion?
What is the student is most likely anxious or uncomfortable?
Their lack of eye contact, short speech, and repeated checking of the time all suggest restlessness or nervous anticipation.
You must include this to support your answer-- either a quote or summary from the text.
What is text evidence?
DOUBLE JEOPARDY: This term refers to the group of readers the author is trying to reach.
What is the audience?
Read: "The cold wind howled through the empty forest." Which of your senses does this evidence most appeal to?
Sound/Hearing
The words childish and youthful have similar denotations (dictionary meanings), but different connotations. Which word has a more negative connotation?
What is childish?
An author describes a character who volunteers for extra work, speaks respectfully to others, and quietly cleans up messes no one else notices. The narrator never comments directly on this behavior.
What can you infer about this character, and how do their actions support your interpretation?
What is the character demonstrates humility, responsibility, and a strong work ethic. Their selfless actions reveal a quiet, dependable nature without needing praise or recognition?
DOUBLE JEOPARDY: This follows your text evidence and explains how it supports your central idea.
What is the explanation or analysis?
Read this summary and identify the author's purpose:
In “The Boy Who Cried Wolf,” a shepherd boy repeatedly tricks villagers by falsely shouting that a wolf is attacking his sheep. When a wolf actually appears, no one believes him, and his sheep are lost.
What is the author's purpose?
What is to teach a lesson about honesty and the consequences of lying?
Identify the mood created by this description and explain which words contribute most to it:
"A cold wind sliced through the silent streets, shadows, stretched long under the flickering streetlights."
What is a tense or foreboding mood created by words like "cold", "sliced", "silent", and "flickering".
What tone is suggested by this sentence?
"She finally dragged herself into the meeting, rolling her eyes and sighing loudly."
What is a frustrated, annoyed, or disrespectful tone?
DOUBLE JEOPARDY
Read this brief scene:
"When the other team won, Rachel clapped politely but stayed in her seat. She tried to smile, but failed, and her gaze never left her phone screen as the other team was awarded for their win."
What can you infer about Rachel's character and emotional state, and how does the author subtly reveal this?
What is Rachel likely feels disconnected, disinterested, or jealous. Her restrained reaction and refusal to fully engage with the celebration suggest emotional distance. The authors uses body language and behavior to reveal her true feelings?
DOUBLE JEOPARDY: Revise and edit the following response.
Johnny shows courge when he saved the kids from the burning church. He didn't have to go in but he choosed to help them anyway. He said "I'm going in" and didn't wait for nobody. This shows he was brave even though he was scared, and he new he might get hurt.
Change courge to courage
Change choosed to chose
Change new to knew
Read this summary and identify the author's purpose:
In "The Tortoise and the Hare," a speedy hare mocks a slow-moving tortoise. The tortoise challenges the hare to a race and wins because the hare becomes overconfident and takes a nap.
What is the author's purpose?
What is to teach a lesson about persistence and not underestimating others?
Read the passage below and analyze how the author's use of imagery and setting establishes mood and supports the story's deeper meaning:
"Beneath a sky bruised with storm clouds, the abandoned playground lay silent, swings swaying in the gusts like ghosts of laughter long gone."
What mood is created, and how do imagery and setting contribute to the story's message about loss or change?
What is a melancholic or haunting mood created by imagery of "storm clouds", "abandoned playground", and "ghosts of laughter", suggesting themes of loss, nostalgia, or the passage of time?
DOUBLE JEOPARDY: Examine the sentence below and explain how the connotative meaning of a word shapes the tone.
"The politician dodged every question with a slick grin, offering rehearsed answers that danced around the truth."
What tone is created, and how do specific word choices contribute to it?
What is a critical or distrustful tone, created by negative connotations in words like "dodged", "slick grin", and "danced around", which suggest dishonesty or manipulation?
An author writes:
"Even after failing the test, Jonah offered his notes to classmates and said, 'Maybe they'll help someone else do better."
What does this suggest about Jonah's values or mindset, and how does this moment complicate his characterization?
What is Jonah values generosity and resilience. Even in failure, he shows maturity and selflessness. This moment reveals emotional strength and contradicts a typical self-centered response to disappointment, making his character more complex?
This vague phrase is often used in SCRs and weakens your response by not clearly explaining how the evidence supports your idea.
(Hint: it is Ms. Perkins' pet peeve)
What is writing "this shows" in your analysis.
Example: "This shows that the character is good."
DOUBLE JEOPARDY!!!!
Read this summary and identify the author's purpose:
In "Cinderella," a kind and patient girl suffers mistreatment from her stepfamily but stays hopeful. With help, she attends the royal ball, impresses the prince, and is rewarded for her kindness.
What is the author's purpose?
What is to teach a lesson about kindness, patience, and hope?
Read the passage below and analyze the author's use of imagery and setting creates mood and supports the theme:
"Golden sunlight poured over the rolling hills, casting long, warm shadows on the vibrant wildflowers swaying gently in the breeze. The distant sound of children's laughter filled the air, blending with the sweet scent of blooming trees-- a perfect morning full of promise and new beginnings."
What mood is created, and how do the imagery and setting enhance the story's theme of hope and renewal?
What is a hopeful and uplifting mood created through imagery of "golden sunlight", "vibrant wildflowers", "children's laughter", and "sweet scent", which reinforces the theme of renewal and fresh starts?
Read the passage and identify the author's tone, then explain how the connotative meanings of specific words help create it:
"She gazed at the award in silence, her lips pressed tight, fingers clenched around the edges. Around her, applause echoed, but her eyes remained fixed-- not on the trophy, but on the door."
What is the tone, and how do word choices contribute to it?
What is a conflicted or tense tone, created by words with heavy connotations like "pressed tight", "clenched", and "fixed", which suggests internal struggle or discomfort rather than celebration?
Read the passage and analyze both the internal conflict and the character traits revealed:
"Maya hesitated at the front of the class. Her hand hovered over her presentation notes. She took one step forward, then back. The teacher waited. Finally, she exhaled, squared her shoulders, and began to speak-- her voice shaking, but steadying with each word."
What can you infer about Maya's internal conflict, and what traits does the author reveal through this moment?
What is Maya is experiencing fear or self-doubt, likely struggling with anxiety or public speaking nerves. However, her decision to move forward despite that fear shows courage, determination, and personal growth. The author reveals her resilience and strength by showing how she acts in a vulnerable moment?