Middle East – Essay & Rubric

We have looked at Middle East issues over the past several weeks. Respond to the following essay prompt using the multitude of sources at your disposal (The World Today, Upfront Magazine, class notes, maps, the World Atlas, diagrams, YouTube clips, documentaries, online sites, etc.). Choose only one essay topic.

Great Source Materials for Essay #1

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/01/04/world/middleeast/sunni-shiite-map-middle-east-iran-saudi-arabia.html?smid=fb-nytimes&smtyp=cur&_r=0

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dean-obeidallah/isis-defeat-muslims_b_10825028.html

https://www.indy100.com/article/four-charts-that-will-tell-you-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-war-with-isis-one-year-on--ZkdXTkeVGg

Great Source Materials for Essay #2

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/05/malala-yousafzai-tells-emma-watson-im-a-feminist-thanks-to-you?CMP=fb_gu

https://www.ted.com/talks/manal_al_sharif_a_saudi_woman_who_dared_to_drive

https://www.ted.com/talks/ziauddin_yousafzai_my_daughter_malala

Category / 5 – Exceeds / 4 - Meets / 3 – Approaches / 2 – Working Towards
Paragraph 1
(Introduction) / - Outstanding intro sentence (hook)
- Thesis offers clear declarative position
- Outstanding review of body paragraphs
- Grammar and spelling are flawless / - Clear intro sentence (hook)
- Thesis offers clear declarative position
- Clear review of body paragraphs
- Grammar and spelling are appropriate / - Intro sentence is weak
- Thesis offers declarative position
- Review of only a few body paragraphs
- Grammar and spelling needs improvement / - Offers weak intro sentence
- Thesis is unclear and does not offer a declarative position
- Review of body paragraphs is missing
- Grammar and spelling is unacceptable
Paragraph 2
(Body I) / - Outstanding topic sentence
- Supporting examples I-III offer outstanding relevant details
-Expertly used quote
- Element of culture is explained thoroughly
- Grammar and spelling are flawless / - Appropriate topic sentence
- Supporting examples I-III offer relevant details
-Uses quote
- Element of culture is explained thoroughly
- Grammar and spelling are appropriate / - Appropriate topic sentence
- Supporting examples I-III offer mostly relevant details
-Loosely uses quote
- Element of culture is introduced
- Grammar and spelling needs improvement / - Weak topic sentence
- Supporting examples I-III offer few relevant details
-No quote offered
- Element of culture is missing
- Grammar and spelling is unacceptable
Paragraphs 3
(Body II) / - Outstanding topic sentence
- Supporting examples I-III offer outstanding relevant details
- Expertly used quote
- Grammar and spelling are flawless / - Appropriate topic sentence
- Supporting examples I-III offer relevant details
- Uses quote
- Grammar and spelling are appropriate / - Appropriate topic sentence
- Supporting examples I-III offer mostly relevant details
-Loosely uses quote
- Grammar and spelling needs improvement / - Weak topic sentence
- Supporting examples I-III offer few relevant details
- No quote offered
- Grammar and spelling is unacceptable
Paragraph 4
(Body III) / - Outstanding topic sentence
- Supporting examples I-III offer outstanding relevant details
- Expertly used quote
- Primary Source is explained thoroughly
- Grammar and spelling are flawless / - Appropriate topic sentence
- Supporting examples I-III offer relevant details
- Uses quote
- Primary Source is used
- Grammar and spelling are appropriate / - Appropriate topic sentence
- Supporting examples I-III offer mostly relevant details
- Loosely uses quote
- Primary Source needs honing
- Grammar and spelling needs improvement / - Weak topic sentence
- Supporting examples I-III offer few relevant details
- No quote offered
- Primary Source is missing
- Grammar and spelling is unacceptable
Paragraph 5
(Conclusion) / - Outstanding summary of essay
- Thoughtful new idea or connection to in-class ideas
- Grammar and spelling are flawless
- Uses at least 5 scholarly sources / - Appropriate summary of essay
- Thoughtful new idea or connection to in-class ideas
- Grammar and spelling are appropriate
- Uses at least 4 scholarly sources / - Summary of essay is weak
- Thoughtful new idea or connection to in-class ideas
- Grammar and spelling needs improvement
- Uses at least 3 scholarly sources / - No summary of essay
- Thoughtful new idea or connection to in-class ideas
- Grammar and spelling is unacceptable
- Uses 2 or fewer scholarly sources

Earn extra points by working on your essay in Ms. Basch’s or Ms. Shinn’s Writing Lab! Have either sign and date below when you attend J