Survival Unit 5 Paragraph Essay Assignment
ASSIGNMENT: Your assignment is to write a composition on one of the three following questions:
1)What is the power of a story?
2)How can the human experience be seen in literature? (looking at 3 of this year’s themes)
3)What is the importance of survival? (physical, emotional, psychological, spiritual, etc)
Explain your position using specific examples! Remember that you must have one overall argument (guiding topic) with 3 supporting points! You have the freedom to interpret these questions in a variety of ways and take this paper many directions. Choose something that will interest you!
PREWRITING: Pick the question you want to answer. Develop multiple answers to that question. Pick one of your answers and develop three main points to support your argument. Develop at least three specific examples you could use to support EACH of your main points. Find a quote which could support each of your main points.
DRAFTING: First, write your thesis – make sure to include a guiding topic (argument/answer to question) AND 3 main points. This will be the LAST sentence of your introduction paragraph!
In your introductory paragraph, you should start with a hook. Then, explain the question and answer. (DO NOT USE 1st PERSON!!!) Finish with your thesis sentence.
The body of your composition should directly answer the initial question by supporting your answer/argument. Each paragraph should start with a transition and topic sentence, support the corresponding main point from your thesis, explain specific examples, relate to your overall argument, and include a supporting quote (with proper in-text citation and punctuation).
Lastly, write a conclusion paragraph in which you summarize your argument/guiding topic. Start with a transition, readdress your guiding topic and 3 main points in separate and newly-worded sentences, and conclude with a finale.
Survival Unit Essay RubricWriter:Grader:
Introduction:
Capture the Audience’s Attention with Strong Hook___/1
Guiding Topic addressed in General (Survival, Story, Human Experience)___/1
Thesis Statement includes the Guiding Topic (Argument about above) ___/1
Thesis Statement includes 3 Main Points ___/1
Thesis Statement is Last Sentence of Intro Paragraph ___/1
Body Paragraphs (Subtract 1 point for each paragraph lacking): Start with Transition Word or Phrase ___/3
Start with Topic Sentence Pointing to Thesis (Order/Wording)___/3
Include Good Support for Main Point of Paragraph___/3
Include specific or examples___/3
Supports/Connects to Guiding Topic___/3
Good Sentence Fluency and Organization (Easy-to-Follow)___/3
Conclusion:
Starts with Transition ___/1
Addressed Guiding Topic (Survival, Story, Human Experience) (1pt)and 3 Main Points (1pt)___/2
Main Points Addressed in Unique Manner___/1
3 Main Points Divided into Separate Sentences___/1
Strong and Creative Finale (1/2 pt); Wraps up Argument (1/2 pt)___/1
Format and Quotations:
Heading includes Name, Due Date, Teacher, Class (1/2 pt each)___/2
Header includes Last Name, Pg #, in Upper Right Corner, each Pg (1/2 pt each)___/2
Title is Centered (1pt) and has No Font Changes (1pt)___/2
Paper is Double-Spaced___/1
Grammar/Spelling Errors do not distract reader from argument___/1
No 1st Person used___/1
Includes 1 Quote/Body Paragraph(1 pt each)___/3
Quotes are well-chosen and placed___/1
Includes Proper In-Text Citation (O’Brien #) (1/2 pt author, ½ pt # x3 quotes)___/3
Quotes Properly Punctuated “____” (____). (1/2 pt period, ½ pt “”() x3 quotes)___/3
Completion___/2
Total___/50