Activities

1. List examples of precise language used in a written informative/explanatory text to inform about or explain the topic.
   
   
2. List examples of discipline specific language used in a written informative/explanatory text to inform about or explain the topic.

3. Identify examples of precise language used by a writer in a specific written informative/explanatory text that informs about or explains the topic.
   
   
4. Identify examples discipline specific language used by a writer in a specific written informative/explanatory text that informs about or explains the topic.

5. Construct an original explanation of information using precise and discipline specific language to inform about or explain the topic in the informative/explanatory written text.
   
   
6. Evaluate the effectiveness of language to inform about or explain the topic in an original informative/explanatory written text.

Answer Key/Rubric

1. Student lists examples of precise language used in a written informative/explanatory text to inform about or explain the topic. Examples of precise language include, but are not limited to, words that create a clear and informative tone that is appropriate for the intended audience. The student lists specific verbs, nouns, and adjectives that can be used to accurately explain a topic, concept, or procedure. These words are typically literal, unambiguous, and not colloquial.
   
   
2. Student lists examples of discipline specific language used in a written informative/explanatory text to inform about or explain the topic. Examples of discipline-specific language include words that directly relate to understanding the topic or subject of a discipline-specific writing task. Examples of discipline-specific writing tasks include, but are not limited to, literary analysis, scientific lab reports, and procedural writing explaining a mathematical process. Examples of discipline-specific language can be found in glossaries of topic or subject specific texts.
   
   
3. Student identifies examples of precise language used by a writer in a specific written informative/explanatory text that informs about or explains the topic. The student directly cites specific examples of precise language that are used in the text to clearly and accurately inform about or explain the topic. The student also explains how the language used contributes to an appropriate tone that develops the informative meaning of the text.
   
   
4. Student identifies examples discipline-specific language used by a writer in a specific written informative/explanatory text that informs about or explains the topic. The student directly cites specific examples of discipline specific language that creates this style. The student also explains how the language used contributes to an appropriate tone that develops the informative meaning of the text.
   
   
5. Student constructs an original explanation of information using precise and discipline specific language to inform about or explain the topic in the informative/explanatory written text. The constructed explanation includes evidence of deliberately selected language used to establish an appropriate tone that develops the informative meaning of the text. The student avoids the use of words that are too general, vague, or ineffective for their purpose of writing.
   
   
6. Student evaluates the effectiveness of language to inform about or explain the topic in an original informative/explanatory written text. The student evaluates a writer’s use of precise and discipline specific words and the overall affect they have on the informative tone of the written explanation.