Section outline

  • Objective:

    Students will evaluate how authors use language to convey purpose and tone in informational texts.

    Task:

    Choose a news article and evaluate how the author’s tone and language choices influence the article’s purpose and meaning. Write an analysis explaining how the author’s language conveys tone and purpose.

    Outcome:

    Write a well-organized analysis explaining how the author uses language to convey tone and purpose in the article, supported with specific examples from the text.

    Measurable Objective:

    Students will identify and explain the author’s tone and language choices, providing at least two examples from the text.

    Materials List:
    1. News article (chosen by the teacher or selected by the student from a list of provided articles)
    2. Pen or pencil
    3. Notebook or digital document for note-taking
    4. Highlighter (optional)
    5. Dictionary or thesaurus (optional)
    6. Access to a computer for writing the response
    7. Printed rubric (for self-assessment)
    8. Printed outline template (optional)
    9. Citation guide (MLA or APA format as required)
    10. Worksheet for analyzing tone and language (optional)

    Evaluation Rubric

    Criteria

    4 (Excellent)

    3 (Good)

    2 (Needs Improvement)

    1 (Unsatisfactory)

    Identification of Tone

    Clearly identifies and explains the tone with multiple, specific examples.

    Identifies the tone with some explanation and examples.

    Identifies the tone but with limited explanation or examples.

    Does not identify the tone or provides an inaccurate interpretation.

    Explanation of Language Choices

    Provides a detailed analysis of how language choices create tone and purpose.

    Provides a good analysis of language choices, but lacks some detail.

    Provides a limited analysis of language choices.

    Fails to analyze language choices or provides an unclear explanation.

    Use of Evidence

    Uses multiple examples from the text and fully explains how they contribute to tone and purpose.

    Uses at least two examples, but the explanation may lack depth.

    Uses only one example or provides insufficient explanation.

    Does not use examples or provides irrelevant examples.

    Organization and Structure

    Well-organized, logical flow with clear paragraphs and transitions.

    Clear organization, but some ideas may not be well connected.

    Organization is unclear, with weak transitions or paragraph structure.

    Disorganized or hard to follow.

    Grammar and Mechanics

    Writing is free of grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.

    Few minor errors that do not interfere with understanding.

    Several errors that affect clarity.

    Numerous errors that make the writing difficult to understand.

    By the end of this unit, you will be able to effectively analyze how authors use language to convey tone and purpose in informational texts. You will gain skills in identifying tone and purpose, supporting your ideas with examples, and writing a well-organized, thoughtful analysis.