Thesis - Newsela Writing looks for a direct answer to the assigned prompt. Newsela Writing will chose the sentence that presents the main idea the student develops in the essay as the thesis. If the chosen rubric, or a teacher's preferred synonym, contains a different term such as Claim, Newsela Writing uses the same logic to identify this sentence type.

• Prompt: Discuss the theme of love in Romeo and Juliet.

  • Thesis: Love is the source of resolution in Romeo and Juliet because love leads to an outcome that forces the two families to resolve their differences.

  • Not a Thesis: Love is important in Romeo and Juliet.

Evidence - Newsela Writing defines evidence as information from a text that supports the student’s thesis. Students can use either direct quotes or paraphrasing as evidence, which. Newsela Writing recognizes with quotation marks or in-text citations. See how Newsela Writing recognizes evidence:

• Evidence: At the end of the play, the Prince says: “And I, for winking at your discords too, / Have lost a brace of kinsmen. All are punished”  (Romeo and Juliet, Act 5, Scene 3). 

• Not evidence: Romeo tells Juliet he loves her.

Analysis - Analysis sentences develop the student’s argument. To identify analysis, Newsela Writing looks for sentences that are on-topic and argumentative. Declarative sentences don’t count. See how Newsela Writing recognizes an analysis:

• Analysis: Romeo’s monologues demonstrate that conflict can only be resolved through tragedy. 

• Not an analysis: Romeo and Juliet is a play about love. 

Background/Context - Newsela Writing defines background or context sentences as declarative ones that are on topic but don’t develop an argument. You’ll see the background label on short-form responses and the context label on long-form essays. See how Newsela Writing recognizes background and context content:

• Background or context: Romeo and Juliet is a play about love. 

• Not background or context: Romeo’s monologues demonstrate that conflict can only be resolved through tragedy. 

Summary - Newsela Writing defines a summary as a sentence that restates the essay’s main idea. It should be clear that the sentence indicates a final thought. Newsela Writing uses Summary for short answer paragraphs and body paragraphs in long-form essays. See how Newsela Writing recognizes a summary:

• Summary: In conclusion, love functions as a kind of character. 

• Not a summary: Love functions as a kind of character. 

FAQ

Can I customize the labels to match my classroom terminology?

Yes. When you set up your assignment, Newsela Writing will default the labels to those most closely aligned to the rubric that is the default suggestion based on the genre and the state in which your’s school is located. On the last step of the assignment creation, you will have an option to adjust the rubric, as well as align the labels to those most closely matching the terminology used in your class, using the available names in the dropdown.

I disagree with Newsela Writing's labeling of a sentence, what can I do?

Teachers can flag a sentence label that they disagree with for review by the Newsela Writing team. This enables teachers to react to the labels and helps the Writing team receive feedback from teachers.

Hover over the label name, and a flag icon with the text “Flag label error” will appear. Click the “Flag label error” icon and you'll be prompted to submit a comment to the team explaining why you believe the label is in error.

The Writing team regularly reviews this feedback in order to evaluate how to improve the product.