Explain what information could have been added to "Bard of Avon" to help a reader better understand an important idea in the article. In your response, use information from the article that supports your explanation. Write your answer on your answer document.

Annotation: The reader answers that "a better discription of the galleries, stage and the courtyards" and offers that the information in the text was "blury" and that more details were needed. The reader does answer the question and explains in a very general way why the information is needed. To improve this response, the reader should explain why knowing the organization of the galleries, stage, and courtyards is important to understanding the article. The reader could explain that if he/she knows how the stage area appears then he/she will better understand what the performance of a play was like which is an important idea.

Annotation: The reader selects a line "A wise playwright would throw in a joke" and wants an explanation of the line. The reader does answer the question. To improve this response, the reader should explain how knowing the meaning of that line would help a reader understand an important idea in the article. For example, the reader could state that if he/she knew what the stated sentence meant, he/she would know what would keep the groundlings happy. Since the text shows that the groundlings are the part of the audience closest to the actors, and the groundlings have a reputation for unruly behavior, it is an important idea to understand how the plays could continue without disruption.

Annotation: The reader responds that no additional information is needed "because it made sense and it was easier to understand" and continues in a repetitive fashion to conclude "it could use some text features." The reader does answer the question. To improve this response, the reader should be more specific, cite an important idea from the text, and explain how it is easily understood. For example, in paragraph #6, the reader could relay that the information in that paragraph shows that the little scenery that was used was symbolic and that Elizabethan audiences had to use much imagination thereby showing that the reader understands an important idea in the article.

Annotation: The reader answers that he/she knows that James Burbage opened the theater but "all we know is that he did not how he did or why he did." The reader does answer the question. To improve this response, the reader should use text support to show how Burbage's theater was the first building designed only for performing plays and that it was a wonderful success. This is an important idea in the article and knowing if Burbage built the theater to make money or just because he loved plays helps a reader understand this idea.

Score 3

The response demonstrates an understanding of the complexities of the text.

• Addresses the demands of the question
• Effectively uses text-relevant¹ information to clarify or extend understanding

Score 2

The response demonstrates a general understanding of the text.

• Partially addresses the demands of the question
• Uses text-relevant¹ information to show understanding

Score 1

The response demonstrates a minimal understanding of the text.

• Minimally addresses the demands of the question
• Uses minimal information to show some understanding of the text in relation to the question

Score 0

The response is completely incorrect, irrelevant to the question, or missing.²

Note 1:

Text-relevant: This information may or may not be an exact copy (quote) of the text but is clearly related to the text and often shows an analysis and/or interpretation of important ideas. Students may incorporate information to show connections to relevant prior experience as appropriate.

Note 2:

An exact copy (quote) or paraphrase of the question that provides no new relevant information will receive a score of "0".

Rubric Document Date: June 2003