APE If students do not provide text evidence, they will NOT pass!

RUBRIC FOR SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS (SARs)

Score Point 0 Insufficient Response to the Question
Insufficient responses indicate a very limited reading performance. These responses have one
of the following problems.
_______

The idea is not an answer to the question asked.

_______

The idea is incorrect because it is not based on the text.

_______

The idea is too general, vague, or unclear to determine whether it is reasonable.

_______

No idea is present. Sometimes the response contains only text evidence. At other

times there appears to be an idea; however, this idea cannot be considered an answer
to the question because it merely repeats verbatim, or echoes, the text evidence.

Example:
Question How does the connotation of the authors word choices in Navajo Code Talkers:
The Centurys Best-Kept Secret, influence the readers perspective toward these specialized
service men? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection.
Student Response - In war it is always good to use a language that is barely known in its
country and throughout the world. These codes can help to win the war while the enemy is
trying to figure out what the heck it is that their hearing.
Score Explanation: Student did not answer the question being asked. The idea that it is always
good to use a language that is barely known in its country and throughout the world does not
answer the question of the authors use of connotation influencing the reader.

Score Point 1 Partially Sufficient Response to the Question

Partially sufficient responses indicate a basic reading performance. These responses have one
of the following characteristics.
_______

The idea is reasonable, but the response contains no text evidence.

_______

The idea is reasonable, but the text evidence is flawed and does not adequately

support the idea. Text evidence is considered inadequate when it is only a general
reference to the text, too partial to support the idea, weakly linked to the idea, or used
inappropriately because it wrongly manipulates the meaning of the text.
_______

The idea needs more explanation or specificity even though it is supported with

text evidence.

_______

The idea represents only a literal reading of the text, with or without text

evidence.

Example:
Question In Book 1 of The Odyssey, how does Homers use of epithets affect the readers
opinion of the characters? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection.
Student Response Homers use of epithets may influence the readers opinion on Calypso
when he refers to her as the Bright goddess. Her beauty is what helps her get people to do
what she says.
Score Explanation: Student does not adequately support the idea that epithets influence the
readers opinion. Text evidence is flawed or inadequate because it is only a general reference to
the text. The idea represents only a literal reading.

NEITHER a 0 nor a 1 is a passing score.

Score Point 2 Sufficient Response to the Question
Sufficient responses indicate a satisfactory reading performance. These responses have the
following characteristics.
_______

The idea is reasonable and goes beyond a literal reading of the text. It is

explained specifically enough to show that the student can make appropriate
connections across the text and draw valid conclusions.
_______

The text evidence used to support the idea is accurate and relevant.

_______

The idea and text evidence used to support it are clearly linked.

_______

The combination of the idea and the text evidence demonstrates a good

understanding of the text.

Example:
Question How does the connotation of the authors word choices in Navajo Code Talkers:
The Centurys Best-Kept Secret, influence the readers perspective toward these specialized
service men? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection.
Student Response It influences the readers perspective to make the men really important.
They were so unique, so valuable that everywhere they went the Navajo speakers traveled
with a personal bodyguard. This indicates how important each Navajo speaker was and why
they were protected by bodyguards so nothing would happen to the well trained men.
Score Explanation: The student presents the idea that the authors use of connotation
influences the readers perspective to make the men really important is reasonable and goes

beyond a literal reading of the text. The combination of the idea and the text evidence
demonstrates a good understanding of the text.

Score Point 3 Exemplary Response to the Question

Exemplary responses indicate an accomplished reading performance. These responses have
the following characteristics.
_______

The idea is perceptive and reflects an awareness of the complexities of the text.

The student is able to develop a coherent explanation of the idea by making discerning
connections across the text.
_______

The text evidence used to support the idea is specific and well chosen. Overall,

the evidence strongly supports the validity of the idea.

_______

The combination of the idea and the text evidence demonstrates a deep

understanding of the text.

Example:
Question In Book 1 of The Odyssey, how does Homers use of epithets affect the readers
opinion of the characters? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection.
Student Response Due to his noble birth, extensive journey, and stern refusal to embark on it,
Odysseus perfectly embodies the concept of an epic hero. Nobility and vast travels are two of
their seven characteristics and are both evident in him as not only is he introduced as the king
of Ithaca but he is also punished by Poseidon who makes him wander the seas after the
Trojan War never allowing him to reach home. Furthermore, Odysseus did not want to fight
at Troy and had to be tricked into joining the Greek army completing the refusal stage of
Christopher Voglers Heros Journey. Considering these easily identifiable aspects of both him
and his story, Odysseus is the textbook example of an epic hero.
Score Explanation: The combination of the idea that due to his noble birth, extensive journey,
and stern refusal to embark on it, Odysseus perfectly embodies the concept of an epic hero
and text evidence demonstrates a deep understanding of the text.
2s and 3s are fantastic scores!!