Internet Academy

Instruction:

You may have read and reviewed this article several times in the last few lessons. In this lesson, the focus will be on helping you learn to determine the author's purpose in writing. Read "The Ups and Downs of Space Travel ." Click on the book icon to the right and open the passage. Review the tips about author's purpose in the TIPS section of this lesson (previous page) so you too can read with a purpose.

The Ups and Downs
of Space Travel

Extended Answer Prompt:

What is the author's purpose in this selection? Highlight your choice.

To explain how space flight works

To suggest a drawback to space flight

To promote the space program

Give three details from the selection to support your choice.

There are three responses included in this example. After reviewing the criteria for points, you'll be evaluating each extended response and assigning a score.

Criteria:

A 4-point response circles or identifies a choice and supports it with three text-based details.

Example: If "To suggest a drawback to space flight" is chosen as the author's purpose, details might include: Microgravity can cause problems for travelers in space. It upsets the body's balancing system. It makes you feel sick.
Example: If "To explain how space flight works" is chosen as the author's purpose, details might include: Astronauts wear special suits that keep their blood more evenly distributed. They exercise on a stationary bicycle for several hours each day. They also have to deal with space sickness.
Example: If "To promote the space program" is chosen as the author's purpose, details might include: The article says that American astronauts have lived in space for months. Two Russians hold a record for living in space for a year. A lot has been learned about microgravity and how to deal with its effects on humans.

A 3-point response highlights or identifies a choice and supports it with two text-based details.

A 2-point response highlights or identifies a choice and supports it with one text-based detail. OR it may or may not highlight or identify a choice but gives three vague or surface details.

A 1-point response highlights or identifies a choice, but supports it in a vague or surface way. OR it gives two vague/surface details.

What is the author's purpose in this selection? Highlight your choice.

To explain how space flight works

To suggest a drawback to space flight

To promote the space program

Give three details from the selection to support your choice.

Student 1 writes:

I picked number 1. The author is mainly talking about how your body would react in a long period of time in space. Like how your muscles would weaken and things like that. That's why I picked number 1.

Evalute and score this answer using the criteria discussed for this prompt:

How many accurate text-based details are included to support the author's purpose?

Student 2 writes:

I chose the #2 purpose: To suggest a drawback to space flight.

Gravity is very important. When going out to space about half of the austronauts get space sickness. This leads to vomiting. Fortunately it doesn't last long. Without the gravity the astronauts' bones loose calcium and get weaker. Astronauts need extra exercise in space. Exercise provides the bones and muscles with calcium so they can be in balance and in shape.

Evalute and score this answer using the criteria discussed for this prompt:

How many accurate text-based details are included to support the author's purpose?

Student 3 writes:

I chose the #2 purpose: To suggest a drawback to space flight.

I think the author's purpose in this selection is to suggest a drawback in space flight. (Notice strong intro sentence.) First they give examples of how people can get sick in space, then they tell how muscles can deteriorate under the influence of microgravity, if astronauts don't exercise. Also, they tell about how most of your bones lose calcium and become weaker. Finally, in the last paragraph they tell about on a long space trip there might still be some unkonwn dangers. (Note also the transition words to help the reader follow the writer's logical flow of text-based details.)

Evalute and score this answer using the criteria discussed for this prompt:

How many accurate text-based details are included to support the author's purpose?

Let's try a different kind of question now.

Example 2 >>