Unit 1 Final Assessment: Definition Essay

Explanatory Writing Prompt:Think about people who deserve status as heroes—from the past, from the present, from life, and from literature. What defines a hero? Write a multi-paragraph essay that develops your definition of heroism. Be sure to use strategies of definition (function, example, and negation) to guide your writing. Remember the lessons for hooks, transitions, word choice & style, and conclusions.

Scoring Criteria / Exemplary 20 PTS / Proficient 15 PTS / Emerging10 PTS / Incomplete5 PTS
IDEAS
SCORE:
X 2 = /
  • Uses all three strategies of definition effectively to define a hero
  • Maintains a precise and original thesis
  • Integrates relevant supporting details and evidence (quotes and paraphrases) with citations and commentary.
  • Minimum of 2 direct quotes
/
  • Uses strategies of definition effectively to define a hero
  • Maintains a clear thesis
  • Includes adequate supporting details and evidence (quotes and paraphrases) with citations and commentary.
  • Minimum of 2 direct quotes
/
  • Uses insufficient strategies of definition to define a hero
  • Unclear thesis and/or focus
  • Includes poor supporting details and evidence few citations and little commentary.
  • May be missing direct quotes
/
  • Does not define a hero using strategies of definition
  • Has no obvious thesis
  • Lacks supporting details, citations, and/or commentary.

STRUCTURE
SCORE: /
  • Introduces the main idea with an engaging hook and thesis
  • Organizes ideas into focused support paragraphs that progress smoothly
  • Creates coherence with the purposeful use of a variety of transitions and topic sentences
  • Provides an insightful conclusion
/
  • Introduces the topic with a hook, bridge, and thesis
  • Organizes ideas into support paragraphs that progress logically
  • Creates coherence with the use of transitions and topic sentences
  • Provides a conclusion that follows from the ideas presented
/
  • Includes an ineffective introduction or confusing thesis
  • Unrelated or underdeveloped support paragraphs
  • Lack of transitions and topic sentences or they are ineffective.
  • Provides a weak, confusing, or repetitive conclusion
/
  • Lacks an introduction
  • Has minimal, absent, or flawed support paragraphs
  • Uses few or no transitions and topic sentences
  • Lacks a conclusion

STYLE
SCORE: /
  • Uses consistent diction and style appropriate for an academic audience
  • Precise, sophisticated word choices,SAT words, and other uses of figurative language elevate the writing
/
  • Uses diction and style that is generally appropriate for an academic audience
  • Precise, sophisticated word choices, Brushstrokes, SAT words, and figurative language are used occasionally
/
  • Usesdiction or a style that is basic or inappropriate to an academic audience
  • Precise, sophisticated word choices,, SAT words, and other figurative language are rarely used
/
  • Uses flawed diction
  • Elements of style are lacking or used incorrectly

GRAMMAR & Mechanics
SCORE: / Demonstrates command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, spelling, grammar, and usage. Sentence variety in style and length. / Demonstrates adequate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, spelling, grammar, and usage. Some variety in sentence style and length. Fragments and run-ons are minimal / Demonstratespartial or inconsistent command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, spelling, grammar, and usage.Simple sentences are the majority of the paper. Fragments and run-ons interrupt ideas / Lacks command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, spelling, grammar, and usage; frequent errors obscure meaning. Incorrect sentence structure. Frequent fragments and run-ons.