Author's Purpose
An author writes a text mainly to teach the reader facts and information. What is the author's purpose?
To inform
If you don't know the meaning of a word while reading, what are TWO strategies you can use to figure it out?
Any two of:
use context clues, reread, use background knowledge, use a dictionary/resource, look at prefixes/suffixes/roots
What is an inference?
A conclusion you make using clues from the text and what you already know.
What does SCR stand for?
Short Constructed Response
Why is Stanley sent to Camp Green Lake?
He is accused of stealing Clyde "Sweet Feet" Livingston's shoes.
An author writes a funny story about a boy who keeps making ridiculous mistakes because the goal is to entertain the reader. What is the author's purpose?
To entertain
In the sentence, "The exhausted runner dragged himself across the finish line," what does exhausted most likely mean?
Very tired
Complete this reading equation:
Text Evidence + ______ = Inference
Background knowledge / what you already know / schema
What is the most important thing you should include when answering a text-dependent question?
Evidence from the text
What are the boys at Camp Green Lake required to do every day?
Dig one hole each day that is five feet wide and five feet deep.
What is the difference between an author's purpose and an author's message?
Purpose is why the author wrote the text; message is the idea or lesson the author wants the reader to understand.
Why might an author choose the word stomped instead of walked?
"Stomped" gives the reader more specific information and can communicate emotion such as anger or frustration.
A student highlights almost every sentence in a passage. Why might this NOT be effective annotation?
Good annotation should help you identify important ideas, questions, connections, or evidence- not simply mark everything.
Put these steps in the correct general order:
Revise — Plan — Publish — Draft — Edit
Plan → Draft → Revise → Edit → Publish
Why does the Warden actually want the boys to dig holes?
She is searching for something buried at Camp Green Lake.
An author wants readers to understand that failure can help people grow. Which detail would BEST support that message?
A. The character lives in a large house.
B. The character makes a mistake, learns from it, and tries again.
C. The character has a younger sister.
D. The story takes place in the summer.
What is the difference between the literal meaning of a phrase and its figurative meaning?
Literal means exactly what the words say; figurative means the words communicate another meaning.
You are reading a paragraph and suddenly realize you don't understand what is happening. Name two strategies you could use.
Reread, slow down, ask a question, use context clues, use background knowledge, annotate
A student answers an SCR question with a claim and evidence but never explains how the evidence supports the answer. What is missing?
Explanation/reasoning
How does Stanley's relationship with Zero change over the course of the novel?
They begin as campmates who don't know each other well, but they develop a friendship and learn to trust and help one another.
Two authors write about the same topic. One wants to teach readers facts about it. The other wants to convince readers to take action. How would their purposes most likely affect the way they write?
Their choices of details, organization, and language would be different because they have different purposes and audiences.
An author writes, "The wind whispered through the trees." What type of figurative language is being used, and what does it help the reader imagine?
Personification; it gives the wind a human quality and helps the reader imagine/hear the soft sound of the wind.
A character says, "I don't care if I win," but then practices every day, becomes frustrated when she makes mistakes, and celebrates when she improves. What can you infer about the character?
She actually cares about improving/succeeding, even though she says she doesn't.
A student writes this response:
"The character shows perseverance. In the story, she keeps trying even after she fails several times."
What would the student need to add to make this a stronger evidence-based response?
More specific text evidence and/or an explanation connecting the evidence to the claim.
The novel connects Stanley's story, Zero's story, and the stories of their ancestors. Why is this structure important to the author's message?
The connected stories show how events from the past can affect the present and help explain how the characters' lives become connected. It also develops ideas about friendship, perseverance, and breaking cycles of injustice.