Task: Literacy Letter #2

You will write a letter to me about the latest book you have read. It is similar to the first literacy letter you wrote, but includes some
additions:
You need to develop and write about the theme of the book. Remember theme is more than one word. You should be able
to develop a sentence about the theme which answers one of the following questions:
What is the author saying about the topic?
What did the character learn about that topic?
What is the message of the book?
In addition, you need to prove your theme with evidence from the book.
Also, you need to make a comparison to another author in your response. Please review the model which I have already
given you.
Make sure you prove the authors tone by showing examples from the book.
This assignment is due on Friday, January 9, 2015.
Outcome
Plan
Make deliberate
plans, reflect, and
persevere in order to
achieve goals.
Be Precise
Accurately represent
language.

Not Yet

Rubric for Literacy Letter

Meets Standards

Exceeds Standards

___ Student follows the correct format.

In addition to meeting standards,

___ Student hands the assignment in on time.

___ The student shows the writing

process by including her planning page and
draft(s).

___ Student demonstrates an understanding

of standard capitalization rules.

In addition to meeting standards,

___ Student does not use run on sentences.

___ Student has some spelling, punctuation,
and grammar errors, but they do not detract
from the readers understanding of the text.
___ Student tries to accurately cite all
quotes, but there are a few errors.
___ Student underlines the title of a book.

___ Student has no spelling, punctuation,

grammar or capitalization errors.
___ Student accurately cites all quotes
using the proper format.

Discern
View, read, and listen
with focused
attention to what
matters.
Conclude

Infer meanings,
analyze information
and develop valid
ideas based on
evidence and
analysis.

___ The student shows a basic understanding

of the text. She may however, not use the
best evidence to support her analysis.

___The student cites strong and

thorough textual evidence to support
analysis of the book they have read.

___ Student discusses the following literary

elements in their letter:
___ Plot
___ Setting
___ Conflict
___ Characters (protagonist vs.
antagonist
___ Theme

In addition to meeting standards,

___ When discussing theme, the student uses

more than one word. The student is able to
create a meaningful sentence about the
theme.
__ The student describes the authors tone
in the book using the best evidence.

___ Student makes meaningful,

interesting, inferences and presents
compelling ideas, using specific evidence
from the text to back up her claim.
___ When discussing theme, the student
uses specific evidence from the text to
support her claim.
___ The student uses multiple pieces of
evidence to show the authors tone in the
book.
___ Student draws meaningful
connections between the ideas of multiple
authors.