Formative assessment tasks for MYP Language and Literature

Criterion A: Analysing
i. analyse the content, context, language, structure, technique and style of text(s) and the relationship
among texts
ii. analyse the effects of the creator’s choices on an audience
iii. justify opinions and ideas, using examples, explanations and terminology
iv. evaluate similarities and differences by connecting features across and within genres and texts.

1. Text Analysis Worksheet:

Provide students with a passage or short text from a literary work.
Ask them to complete a worksheet or graphic organizer that addresses various elements: content, context, language, structure, technique, and style.

Have them identify and explain how these elements contribute to the overall meaning of the text.

2. Creator's Choices Analysis:

Select a text or literary work and present it to students.
Ask students to identify specific choices made by the author, such as word choice, tone, symbolism, and narrative techniques.
Have them analyze how these choices affect the audience's understanding and emotions.

3. Justifying Opinions and Ideas:

After reading a text or discussing a literary concept, provide students with statements related to the text or concept.
Ask students to agree or disagree with these statements and provide evidence from the text to justify their opinions.
Encourage them to use appropriate literary terminology to support their arguments.

4. Genre and Text Comparison:

Assign different genres of literature (e.g., poetry, prose, drama) or multiple texts related to a common theme.
Ask students to analyze and compare the features within and across these texts.
Encourage them to identify similarities and differences in content, language, structure, and style.

5. Socratic Seminars:
Organize a Socratic seminar where students discuss a particular text.
Require students to delve into the content, context, language, structure, and style of the text.
Encourage them to justify their opinions and engage in critical discussions with classmates.

6. Literature Circles:
Divide students into small groups and assign them different texts or genres.
Have each group analyze their assigned text, focusing on the specified criteria.
Groups can then present their findings to the class and engage in discussions.

7. Literary Analysis Essays:

Assign a longer writing task where students select a text and conduct a thorough analysis based on the criteria.
Require them to provide examples, explanations, and terminology to support their analysis.
This assessment allows for a more extended exploration of the criteria.
8. Peer Review and Feedback:
Have students exchange their analysis of a text or literary work.
Encourage peers to evaluate each other's work based on the criteria and provide constructive feedback.

Criterion B: Organizing
i. employ organizational structures that serve the context and intention
ii. organize opinions and ideas in a sustained, coherent and logical manner
iii. use referencing and formatting tools to create a presentation style suitable to the context and
intention.
1. Essay or Report Writing:
Assign a topic or text analysis task.
Require students to write an essay or report that demonstrates their ability to employ organizational structures that suit the context and intention.

Assess their ability to organize opinions and ideas in a sustained, coherent, and logical manner.
Encourage the use of referencing and formatting tools to create an appropriate presentation style.

2. Persuasive Speech or Presentation:

Have students prepare a persuasive speech or presentation on a given topic.
Assess their ability to structure the presentation effectively, including an introduction, body, and conclusion.
Evaluate how well they organize their ideas in a logical and coherent manner.
Encourage the use of visual aids and formatting tools to enhance the presentation's impact.

3. Literary Analysis Timeline:

Ask students to create a visual timeline that represents the chronological organization of events or ideas in a literary work.
Assess their ability to employ an appropriate organizational structure to convey the story or themes effectively.

4. Mind Maps or Concept Maps:

Provide students with a central topic or theme related to a text or concept.
Have them create mind maps or concept maps that visually represent the organization of ideas, opinions, and supporting evidence.
Assess the clarity and coherence of their visual representations.

5. Collaborative Essay Writing:

Divide students into small groups and assign each group a portion of a larger essay or research paper.
Have them work collaboratively to organize their assigned section.
Afterward, combine all the sections to create a complete, well-organized essay.
Evaluate the overall coherence and flow of the combined essay.

6. Storyboard for Narratives:

For a narrative writing assignment, ask students to create a storyboard that outlines the sequence of events in their story.
Assess their ability to organize the narrative logically and ensure that it flows smoothly.

7. Literature Review:
Assign students to conduct a literature review on a particular literary topic.
Evaluate their ability to organize the reviewed sources, summarizing key ideas and identifying common themes or trends.
Assess their use of referencing and formatting tools for proper citation.

8. Peer Editing and Feedback:

Pair students and have them exchange their written assignments.
Ask students to provide feedback on the organization of their peer's work, focusing on structure, coherence, and formatting.
Encourage constructive suggestions for improvement.

9. Podcast or Video Presentation:

Allow students to create a podcast episode or video presentation on a literary or language-related topic.
Assess their ability to organize and structure the content effectively for an auditory or visual medium.
Evaluate their use of appropriate referencing and formatting tools for multimedia presentations.

Criterion C: Producing text

i. produce texts that demonstrate insight, imagination and sensitivity while exploring and reflecting critically on new perspectives and ideas arising from
personal engagement with the creative process
ii. make stylistic choices in terms of linguistic, literary and visual devices, demonstrating awareness of impact on an audience
iii. select relevant details and examples to develop ideas.

1. Creative Writing Project:

Assign a creative writing task that allows students to explore new perspectives or ideas.
Encourage them to produce a short story, poem, or narrative essay that demonstrates insight, imagination, and sensitivity.
Assess their ability to make stylistic choices using linguistic, literary, and visual devices while developing the narrative.

2. Literary Analysis Essay:

Provide students with a literary text (e.g., a short story, poem, or excerpt from a novel).
Ask them to write an essay analyzing the text while making stylistic choices in their analysis.
Evaluate their ability to select relevant details and examples to develop their ideas and demonstrate awareness of the impact on the audience.
3. Visual Essay or Presentation:
Have students create a visual essay or presentation that combines text with visual elements (e.g., images, graphics, and typography).
Assign a topic or theme for exploration.
Assess their ability to produce texts with insight and creativity while making stylistic choices in terms of both text and visuals.

4. Journal or Blogging Assignment:

Assign students a journal or blog entry task.
Encourage them to reflect critically on new perspectives and ideas related to a text, theme, or current event.
Assess their ability to convey insight, imagination, sensitivity, and stylistic choices through their writing.

5. Literary Magazine or Anthology:

Over the course of a unit or semester, have students contribute to a class literary magazine or anthology.
Encourage them to submit creative pieces, essays, or reflections that showcase their insight, imagination, and stylistic choices.
Collaborate as a class to compile and publish the literary magazine or anthology.

6. Group Storytelling or Playwriting:

Divide students into groups and assign them to collaboratively create a story or play.
Each group should focus on demonstrating insight, imagination, sensitivity, and stylistic choices in their storytelling.
Assess the final product and each group's ability to select relevant details and examples to develop their ideas.

7. Multimedia Presentation:
Allow students to create multimedia presentations that incorporate text, visuals, and potentially audio or video elements.
Assign a topic or theme that requires them to produce text with insight and imagination while making stylistic choices.
Evaluate their ability to effectively communicate their ideas to an audience.

8. Peer Review and Feedback:

Have students exchange their creative writing or analysis assignments with peers.
Encourage peers to provide constructive feedback on how well the text demonstrates insight, imagination, sensitivity, and effective stylistic choices.

Criterion D: Using language

i. use appropriate and varied vocabulary, sentence structures and forms of expression
ii. write and speak in a register and style that serve the context and intention
iii. use correct grammar, syntax and punctuation
iv. spell (alphabetic languages), write (character languages) and pronounce with accuracy
v. use appropriate non-verbal communication techniques.

1. Vocabulary and Style Analysis:

Provide students with a short text or excerpt from a literary work.
Ask them to analyze the author's use of vocabulary, sentence structures, and style to serve the context and intention.
Have students imitate the author's style by writing a similar passage or creating a dialogue in the same register.

2. Register and Style in Formal Writing:

Assign a formal writing task, such as a business letter, research report, or academic essay.
Require students to select an appropriate register and style that suits the context and intention.
Assess their ability to use varied vocabulary, sentence structures, and correct grammar and punctuation in their formal writing.
3. Spelling and Pronunciation Check:
Provide students with a list of vocabulary words or sentences with potential spelling or pronunciation challenges.
Ask them to write the correct spelling and practice pronunciation.
Conduct oral quizzes to assess their pronunciation accuracy.

4. Register and Style in Informal Writing:

Assign an informal writing task, such as a personal blog post, journal entry, or creative writing piece.
Encourage students to choose a register and style that fits the context and their intention.
Assess their ability to use appropriate vocabulary, sentence structures, and non-verbal techniques in informal writing.

5. Grammar and Syntax Exercises:

Provide students with sentences containing grammar or syntax errors.
Ask them to identify and correct these errors.
Create sentence-building exercises that require students to construct sentences with correct grammar and syntax.

6. Non-Verbal Communication Assessment:

Conduct an in-class discussion or debate on a given topic.
Assess students not only on their verbal communication skills but also on their non-verbal communication, such as body language, eye contact, and
gestures.
Provide feedback on how their non-verbal communication enhances or detracts from their spoken communication.

7. Vocabulary Development Activities:

Assign vocabulary-building exercises that involve creating word maps, synonyms and antonyms lists, or vocabulary journals.
Encourage students to incorporate new vocabulary into their writing and speaking.
8. Peer Editing for Grammar and Style:
Pair students and have them exchange their written assignments.
Ask students to review their peer's work for correct grammar, sentence structures, and appropriate style.
Provide guidance on effective peer editing strategies.

9. Presentation Skills Assessment:

Have students give a presentation on a topic of their choice.
Assess their ability to use appropriate vocabulary, sentence structures, non-verbal communication techniques, and correct pronunciation during the
presentation.

10. Interactive Writing Activities:

- Engage students in interactive writing activities such as collaborative storytelling or dialogues.
- Assess their ability to use appropriate language and style when working with peers.