Assess students' ability to analyze how an author's diction (specific word choices and connotations) and sentence-level decisions (syntax, length, punctuation) create tone and reveal character in a middle-grade short story. Tasks require identifying words/phrases and sentence structures that shape tone, explaining how these choices influence reader perception of character, citing textual evidence, and making brief revisions to alter tone. Grade 6–8; moderate complexity; evidence-based analysis.