Revised: 10/30/2013
SYRACUSE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Grade02 Unit 02 Hybrid Unit
Rubric
Reading Standards: RI and RL 12.1, RI and RL 12.2, RI and RL 12.3, RI and RL 12.4, RI and RL 12.5
Question #1 Determine two themes or central ideas of “Raising Their Voices”, and trace their development over the course of the text by providing
an objective summary of the article. Be sure to cite specific details from the article in your summary, including at least one quote and inferences
you’ve made to support the themes or central ideas. (RI.12.1, RI 12.2)
Exemplar answer (level 3):
In the article, “Raising Their Voices”, by Jeff Chu, the central ideas of feminism and the changing roles of women in the Middle East are
explored. In the beginning of the article, the author describes the work of Inas El Degheidi, a female Egyptian filmmaker. She’s challenging the
traditional values of the Middle East, where 90% of the population is Muslim and females aren’t treated as equal to men. El Degheidi raises public
awareness to the problems that Arab society would rather keep silent. “Issues need to be brought to the surface, the director says, “ to create a
healthy social dialogue”. El Degheidi, and a growing generation of Arab women are leading the charge toward’s women’s rights.
The article gives many examples of the strides Arab women are making for equal rights, but also illustrate how slowly these changes are
taking place and how women’s rights are still not accepted by many male- dominated groups. One example of change is in the growing presence
of women in government. In 2003, Qatar gave women the right to vote and run for office and the Persian Gulf state, Tunisia and Jordan have
women in their Cabinet. Another example of the expansion of women’s rights is that Moroccan lawmakers have given women the right to ask for a
divorce, raised the minimum age for marriage and limited polygamy. Despite the positive steps toward equality, “Women in the Arab world are still
operating in male-dominated societies with stale traditions,” says Haifa al Kaylani, founder of the Arab International Women’s Forum.
The rights of women in Arabic countries aren’t what they should be yet, but progress is being made. The changes do not seem fast to
Western countries, but women of the Arab world respond by asking for patience. “We are moving in the right direction,”says al-Harthy. “ But we
can’t go too fast. Change is not easy to take.”
Level 4

All of Level 3
plus:
Level 3
Level 2
Level 1
 Provides a
thorough, accurate,
 Provides
an accurate,
 Provides a
summary of the
Page 1
Includes depth of
analysis and
synthesis of
theme using
sophisticated
language,
structure and style
objective summary
of the text
 Provides two
themes or central ideas of the text
 Describes how
each theme develops over the
course of the text
 Includes at least one
quote
 Makes inferences from text
based details
objective summary
of the text
 Identifies
accurately two
central
ideas/themes
 Provides unclear
or inaccurate
explanation of how
each theme is
developed OR only
provides ONE
explanation
 Makes few or no inferences from
text based details
text that is
missing key
elements and/or is
not objective
 Identifies no
theme or
inaccurately
identifies one
theme
 Does not identify
how each theme is
developed
 Does not include inferences from
text based details
Question # 2 Based on the two excerpts from Pride and Prejudice and "Raising Their Voices”, write a critical essay that explains how the role of
women in late-eighteenth century English Society compares with the role of women in Arab societies today. What has changed and what has
remained the same. Cite specific textual evidence from both texts to support your answers. (RI.12.1, RL.12.1, RI. 12.3, RL. 12.4, RI.12.5, RL.12.5)
Exemplar answer (level 3):
The role of women in different times of history, as well as place, have been portrayed in literature and examined critically in informational
texts. The fiction excerpt from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin and the article, “Raising Their Voices” by Jeff Chu both address the role of women
in different time periods, as well as, in different cultures. Women in late eighteenth century English society are portrayed in the excerpt from Pride
and Prejudice and women in modern Arab countries are portrayed in the excerpt from “Raising their Voices.” Both pieces allow the reader to
compare the roles of women throughout history, and see what has changed and what has remained the same.
The women of late-eighteenth century English society were mainly concerned with making sure their daughters would marry a wealthy man.
When Mrs. Bennet described Mr. Bingley, a potential husband for her daughters, she said, “A single man of large fortune; four or five thousand a
year. What a fine thing for our girls!” Young girls, of this time, had little control over who they would marry, as it was decided by the parents. In the
text it says that Mr. Bennet would give Mr. Bingley his permission to marry any of his girls. Women during this time period were also not considered as
smart as men. This is shown in Mr. Bennet’s description of his daughters as silly and ignorant as other girls.
In contrast, the women who are portrayed in the article are beginning to change the traditional role of women in modern day Arab
countries. A filmmaker, Inas El Degheidi, is an example of a woman who has a career in a once male dominated profession. Not all men are
pleased with her presence in this traditionally male field, and she has even received death threats. Throughout the Arab world women are showing
Page 2
their intelligence and worth in fields such as politics, business, arts and sports. More and more women are attending universities where more than
half of the student body is women. Women are beginning to participate in their government in many Arab countries. Arab women are, “preparing
for a society in which it’s normal for women to be called “doctor” or “entrepreneur” in addition to-and sometimes instead of-“wife” and “mother.”
Women in late-eighteenth century British society would have never been accepted in traditional male professions or be able to participate in
government.
Despite the positive changes to the traditional role of women in Arab society, some similarities to the women of late- eighteenth century
English society still exist. Modern day Arab countries are still mainly patriarchal, much like the society portrayed in Pride and Prejudice. Haifa al
Kaylani, founder of the Arab International Women’s Forum, says, “Women in the Arab world are still operating in male-dominated societies with stale
traditions.”
Level 4
 All of 3 plus:
Includes depth of
analysis in comparing and
contrasting both fiction and
informational texts using
sophisticated
language,
structure and style
Level 3
●
Level 2
Provides accurate text
based details comparing
and contrasting
elements of both texts
 Includes inferences made
from text based details
●
●
Level 1
Provides accurate text
based details from
ONE text
Includes little or NO
inferences made from
text based details
●
Provides an inaccurate or
confused response with little to
NO text based details from
either text
Question #3 In the excerpt from Pride and Prejudice, analyze the impact the author’s word choice has on the meaning or tone of the passage. Be
sure to cite specific examples from the text and inferences you’ve made to support your answer. (RL12.1, RL. 12.3 RL 12.4)
Exemplar answer (level 3):
In the excerpt from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin, the author’s word choices impacts the reader’s understanding of the role of women and the
attitude of men towards women in late eighteenth century England. Mr. Bennet’s description of his daughters as silly and ignorant like other girls,
illustrates the attitude of men toward women in this time period. When the author describes Mrs. Bennet, she says, “Her mind was less difficult to
develop. She was a woman of mean understanding, little information and uncertain temper. This description of her leads the reader to assume that
she wasn’t a very smart woman. When the author writes of Mrs. Benett, “The business of her life was to get her daughters married; its solace was
visiting and news,” it further exemplifies the role of women. Her only goal in life was to get her daughters married and the only thing that made her
happy was when she could visit with people and get news of what was happening in society at that time. In contrast, the author describes Mr.
Page 3
Benett as an odd mixture of quick parts, sarcastic humor, reserve and caprice. These words are more positive in nature and lead the reader to
believe that he’s more intelligent.
Level 4
All of a 3 plus:
 Analysis of impact
of specific words
on meaning or tone uses sophisticated language,
structure and style
Level 3
Level 2
 States meaning
or tone
discusses specific
word choices, and
their impact on
meaning or tone
Page 4
 Implies rather
than states
meaning or tone
 Discusses word
choices in a
general or broad
sense, versus
specifically
 Implies impact of
word choices on
meaning or tone
Level 1

States meaning or
tone
 Does not discuss
word choice
 Presents a
confused or
incorrect
sense of the
impact of
word choice
on meaning
or tone