Benchmarks (8 - 10)
B.
Identify examples of rhetorical devices and valid and invalid inferences, and explain how authors use these devices to achieve their purposes and reach their intended audiences.
D.
Explain and analyze how an author appeals to an audience and develops an argument or viewpoint in text.
E.
Utilize multiple sources pertaining to a singular topic to critique the various ways authors develop their ideas (e.g., treatment, scope and organization).
Benchmarks (11 - 12)
A.
Analyze the features and structures of documents and critique them for their effectiveness.
B.
Identify and analyze examples of rhetorical devices and valid and invalid inferences.
C.
Critique the effectiveness and validity of arguments in text and whether they achieve the author's purpose.
D.
Synthesize the content from several sources on a single issue or written by a single author, clarifying ideas and connecting them to other sources and related topics.
E.
Analyze an author's implicit and explicit philosophical assumptions and beliefs about a subject.
Grade Level Indicators (Grade 9)
2.
Critique the treatment, scope and organization of ideas from multiple sources on the same topic.
4.
Assess the adequacy, accuracy and appropriateness of an author's details, identifying persuasive techniques (e.g., bandwagon, testimonial, transfer, glittering generalities, emotional word repetition, bait and switch) and examples of propaganda, bias and stereotyping.
5.
Analyze an author's implicit and explicit argument, perspective or viewpoint in text.
6.
Analyze the author's development of key points to support argument or point of view.
Grade Level Indicators (Grade 10)
1.
Identify and understand organizational patterns (e.g., cause-effect, problem-solution) and techniques, including repetition of ideas, syntax and word choice, that authors use to accomplish their purpose and reach their intended audience.
2.
Critique the treatment, scope and organization of ideas from multiple sources on the same topic.
4.
Assess the adequacy, accuracy and appropriateness of an author's details, identifying persuasive techniques (e.g., transfer, glittering generalities, bait and switch) and examples of propaganda, bias and stereotyping.
5.
Analyze an author's implicit and explicit argument, perspective or viewpoint in text.
Grade Level Indicators (Grade 11)
1.
Analyze the rhetorical devices used in public documents, including newspaper editorials and speeches.
2.
Analyze and critique organizational patterns and techniques including repetition of ideas, appeals to authority, reason and emotion, syntax and word choice that authors use to accomplish their purpose and reach their intended audience.
3.
Analyze the content from several sources on a single issue, clarifying ideas and connecting them to other sources and related topics.
4.
Distinguish between valid and invalid inferences and provide evidence to support the findings, noting instances of unsupported inferences, fallacious reasoning, propaganda techniques, bias and stereotyping.
5.
Examine an author's implicit and explicit philosophical assumptions and beliefs about a subject.
Grade Level Indicators (Grade 12)
1.
Analyze the rhetorical devices used in public documents, including state or school policy statements, newspaper editorials and speeches.
2.
Analyze and critique organizational patterns and techniques including repetition of ideas, appeals to authority, reason and emotion, syntax and word choice that authors use to accomplish their purpose and reach their intended audience.
3.
Analyze and compile information from several sources on a single issue or written by a single author, clarifying ideas and connecting them to other sources and related topics.
4.
Distinguish between valid and invalid inferences and provide evidence to support the findings, noting instances of unsupported inferences, fallacious reasoning, propaganda techniques, bias and stereotyping.
5.
Examine an author's implicit and explicit philosophical assumptions and beliefs about a subject.