Page 33 - SpringBoard_ELA_CA_Smapler_Flipbook

Text Complexity Analysis
Grade 6, Unit 3, Activity 3.6
Text: from “Letter on Thomas Jefferson,” by John Adams
Text Description: In this excerpt from his 1776 “Letter on Thomas Jefferson,” John Adams explains why Jefferson was chosen to draft the Declaration of Independence. Not only was he known for his “felicity of expression,” he also had an ability to write in a frank, direct manner. In addition, he was a Virginian, and most importantly, he received one more vote than anyone else.
Context
Prior to reading this text, students practice identifying tone and formal style. While reading this letter, they mark the text for precise nouns, active verbs, and diction specific to the topic and audience. Afterward, students identify the purpose and tone of the text and cite textual evidence of Adams’s formal style. Finally, they practice using a formal and an informal tone by working collaboratively to write two versions of a letter to their principal.
Students’ work in this activity scaffolds to Embedded Assessment 1: Researching and Debating a Controversy because they identify the reasons and analyze the purpose for using formal style and tone in an academic setting, especially in argumentative communication.
Quantitative/Complexity Measures
Genre: Historical Document Overall: Complex
Quantitative: 1010L
Qualitative: Moderate Difficulty Task Demands: Moderate (Analyze)
The Lexile for this text places it in the middle of the Grades 6–8 band. Similarly, qualitative measures and task considerations indicate a moderate difficulty. All complexity measures support inclusion of this text.
Qualitative Considerations
Purpose/Levels of Meaning: The author’s purpose in this text is to explain why Thomas Jefferson was chosen to draft the Declaration of Independence. This is explicitly stated in the first two sentences of this letter: “You inquire why ... Mr. Jefferson was placed at the head of the committee for preparing a Declaration of Independence? I answer ...” The letter was written in 1776 to Timothy Pickering, a Massachusetts politician, in response to questions he raised regarding the matter. Adams addresses Mr. Pickering directly in his frank, direct opening.
Structure: The format of this letter is easy to follow. Adams addresses the question posed by Timothy Pickering, provides background information as to why other prominent figures were not appointed to write the Declaration, describes the attributes of Jefferson that made him a likely candidate, and finally explains that he won the popular vote. The last paragraph somewhat humorously depicts the informal way in which Jefferson agreed to take on the task. The text contains no graphics or ancillary text features.
Language: Adams uses a very formal style in his letter. Not only was it written in 1776, but it was addressed to a politician, so the tone and language are very formal and proper. Examples of formal