The following 7 Anchor Papers represent a range of score points and are used in conjunction with the rubrics to assess student responses.

Score for Anchor Paper #1: Rubric Score 1

Annotation: This response shows evidence of a minimal understanding of the texts. The student refers to a couple of the top photograph's features (water moving and no crabs) and includes some text support from the essay (I was filled with the odd sensation). The assertion (the author was imaging a crab near the sea) may indicate a misreading of the text.

Score for Anchor Paper #2: Rubric Score 1

Annotation: This response shows evidence that some meaning has been derived from the texts. The student's choice of photo is supported by a comparison (this picture contains some ghost crabs and the other does not), and a quote from the text is provided ('there was no other visible life — just one small snow crab near the sea').

Score for Anchor Paper #3: Rubric Score 2

Annotation: This response demonstrates a partial understanding of the texts. The student's choice of photograph is supported by expressed information ('there was no other visible life — just one ghost crab;' 'waves crashing on the beach'). An attempt at analysis is made (looks to be more from the ghost crabs point of view + that was how the man was trying to think); however, more clarity and extended understanding are needed for a higher score.

Score for Anchor Paper #4: Rubric Score 2

Annotation: This response demonstrates a partial understanding of the texts. Although the first photo is rejected for two reasons, no crabs and no beach, the second is selected because ([it] includes the ghost crabs, the main topic of the essay; shows them 'just above the surf;' the delicate structure of the ghost crab is clearly seen). A brief fragment of interpretation is also given (because it is connected to the theme of how delicate life is).

Score for Anchor Paper #5: Rubric Score 2

Annotation: This response demonstrates a partial understanding of the texts. The student provides both expressed information ('the distractions of daylight brings into sharper focus the elemental realities;' 'the delicate, destructible, yet incredibly vital force') and implied information (this photograph shows small crabs scuttling on the beach, and it is taken during nighttime; you can perhaps not see, but percieve things better at night) to support the choice of the bottom photograph. More clarification and extension beyond the literal is needed for the response to receive a higher score.

Score for Anchor Paper #6: Rubric Score 3

Annotation: This response demonstrates an understanding of the complexities of the texts. The selection of the bottom photograph (ghost crabs similarly situated - battling the powerful tide) and the idea of "the simple beauty of the crabs" are supported by expressed information ('ghost crab lying in a pit he had dug just above the surf;' 'a creature in its own world'). Moving beyond the literal, the student clarifies and extends understanding through an in-depth interpretation of the photograph (symbolize the power of outside forces in Carson's essay; triumph of life over the 'harsh realities;' embodies the world of ideas about life itself that Carson strives to describe).

Score for Anchor Paper #7: Rubric Score 3

Annotation: Through an interweaving of literal information and insight, this response demonstrates an understanding of the complexities of the texts. The student selects the top photo (the crab and the ocean as a 'symbol that stood for life itself') and demonstrates an understanding of the figurative significance of both the ocean (metaphor for the vast, harsh relentlessness of life) and the crab (metaphor for the way people overcome changes in life). The student further clarifies and extends understanding by emphasizing the peril of the crab (its alone, facing the ocean) An insightful conclusion completes this thoughtful response. (Photograph one represents the power of life, the vastness of it. Although there is no crab to stand up to the ocean, the photograph effectively describes the metaphor of the ocean as life described by Carson.)

Additional Scored Student Responses