TDA- Text

Dependent
Analysis
PSSA ELA Item Type Training
(Information gathered from Jeri
Thompson, Ed.D- January 13, 2015)

What is a TDA?
PA Core explains TDA as a question that draws
evidence from literary or informational texts to
support analysis, reflection, and research
From PA Anchors
On The ELA-PACCS test, students will be doing a TDA for
an analysis
These REQUIRE text evidence!

These can be brought into any core class easily;

they include analysis of informational text

TDA vs. Open Ended

TDA requires an analysis of the text
Open-ended is mainly a written response with quotes
TDA is more in-depth and requires students to breakdown
ideas from the passage and explain using details
All ideas in a TDA must be supported with text evidence
(direct quotes)

TDA should include

An appropriate response
ENGLISH SKILLS
Introduction
Conclusion
Correct grammar/ punctuation/ spelling

TDA connected to Bloom and

DOK
Bloom- analyze/ evaluate
Webbs DOK in level 3
Decision-making with justification of evidence
Has more than 1 answer
Across content/ across texts

Remember that students should be asked a

variety of questions at all levels
See Hess Cognitive Rigor Matrix & Curricular
Examples

Why does this concern us?

ELA PACCS Test looks like (grades 4-8)
Multiple choice
2 TDAs
1 will count for 19% of a score
1 will be a field question

Writing prompt as well- NOT text dependent

Narrative/ expository/ argumentative
No open-ended

What do these TDA questions

look like?
Examples from Dr. Jeri Thompson
The author of Casey at the Bat uses humor to
describe Caseys experiences. Write an essay
analyzing the authors techniques. Be sure to use
textual evidence to support your analysis.
Notice, this question relies on the text to answer. It
requires the students to analyze the poem by pulling
apart writing techniques.
This is a 6th grade question!!!

What do these TDA questions

look like?
The authors of each of the two texts about
Amelia Earhart have stated that she was a daring,
courageous person. Consider the argument each
author made to demonstrate her bravery. Write an
essay that analyzes the strength of the arguments
using textual evidence to support your ideas.
Again, this requires an understanding of an argumentative
text. Kids cant just skim and pull some quotes from the
text. They must also form their own opinion.

This is a 7th grade question!!!

How can you bring TDA

information into a classroom??
Close reading
In order to respond to ideas and events, students can
practice this skill

Bring in more complex vocabulary to your

classroom
As students are presented with deeper vocabulary, they
can begin to integrate it (or at least identify it in a TDA
question)

On essay test questions, require an introduction/

conclusion as well as correct grammar!
PLEASE!

How can you bring TDA

information into a classroom??
When you ask a question, ask for evidence (even
orally!)
Have students defend their answers
Bring a component of writing to your class and
stress an introduction/ conclusion
Ask your specific grade ELA teacher for some assistance
as to what to include

Modify your existing question to become a higherlevel question

If you are stuck

Here are some quick steps to create a TDA
question.
Read and annotate the text
Identify what is noteworthy and what supports it
Identify academic vocabulary and key structures
that connect to key ideas
Create a question
Answer the question (what do you expect to see in
a proficient response)
Standards*

Keep in mind
Answers should rely on support and explanationnot necessarily did you find x-amount of quotes
Help students actually understand the question
and expectation!

For TDAs to work, we need to attack them as a

team.