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2018 MCAS
Grade 8 English Language Arts
Question 8

Idea Development - Score Point 4

The central idea of this essay is clear and well developed. Lincoln and Douglass are described as having strong ideals that influence their actions and make them effective leaders. Lincoln "respected the opinion of everyone," and Douglass wanted "there to be equal rights." Organization is effective, and details are effectively selected and explained to show how the two men's actions support their ideals. Lincoln "puts his time aside for [the American people]," and he "respected the opinion of everyone and wanted to hear from the [A]merican people what he was doing wrong and right so much that he didn't feel the need to restrict the time that anyone could see him and give feedback." Douglass shows leadership through his "persist[e]nce to enlist men [in] the army and make sure that the sacrifices that are given aren't given for nothing." The conclusion expands upon the central idea of the essay by stating how effective Lincoln and Douglass were in "bringing problems to attention and finding a fair but enforced law to the rights of all in America." The writing shows full awareness of the task.

Standard English Conventions - Score Point 3

Control of sentences, grammar, usage, and mechanics is apparent in text that is sufficiently complex. Inclusions of clauses such as "when he puts his time aside for them, the more problems he will be able to solve" help illustrate control. A few awkward, overly long sentences and some missing punctuation do not detract from the overall quality of control.
Answer for Idea Development Score Point 4, and Standard English Conventions Score Point 3 In the history of the American Civil War the most respected and effective leaders were known as being able to start from poverty and end in more respected positions where their voices could be hear. In both stories "Waiting for Mr. Lincoln" and Life and Times of Frederick Douglass accuratly portray the effective leaders at the time known as Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. In the excerpt "Waiting for Mr. Lincoln" it tells about the importance of Abraham to the American people and how when he puts his time aside for them, the more problems he will be able to solve and make their lives better. During the excerpt they describe the waiting room as being crowded with citizens and politicions. The author follows that by saying, "Lincoln tried to meet with as many callers as he possibly could each day. He said he enjoyed his 'public opinion baths' and found them a useful way to find out what people were thinking. When first elected, he had refused to limit his visiting hours. (3)" The information given shows that Lincoln had respected the opinion of everyone and wanted to hear from the american people what he was doing wrong and right so much that he didn't feel the need to restrict the time that anyone could see him and give feedback. In the story Life and Times of Frederick Douglass they focus on the importance of equality to men and women of all races to Frederick Douglass describing his efforts and struggles to hire African Americans to the army. In the story they explain the respect that Abraham Lincoln gives to Douglass as he meets with him which leads into Douglass telling Lincoln, "I then told him the object of my visit: that I was assisting to raise colored troops; that several months before I had been very successful in getting men to enlist, but that now it was not easy to induce the colored men to enter the service, because there was a feeling among them that the government did not, in several respects, deal fairly with them." This excerpt of the story shows that under Douglass's leadership he was able to effectivly recruit African Americans in the army to fight in the American Civil War but that now they feel as though the government doesn't respect them for their sacrifices and Douglass wants there to be equal rights. The sacrifices given by both men to maintain order is insperation including how effective they were in bringing problems to attention and finding a fair but enforced law to the rights of all in America. Abraham Lincolns respect towards all living things and the way to create an equal environment for them to live in plus Frederick Douglass's persistance to enlist men to the army and make sure that the sacrifices that are given aren't given for nothing makes that two of them two of the most respected men in the eyes of many and see as heros to all.



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