ESSAY ASSIGNMENT 1: ROCK CYCLE

SHORT ESSAY: What is the rock cycle?

DIRECTIONS:

●  Describe the rock cycle. Explain the parts of the rock cycle and their importance.

●  Use specific vocabulary from our rocks and minerals unit.

●  Revisit the Rocks and Minerals websites (; 6thgrade) or the Science textbook (see Mrs. Sylvain to borrow one) for vocabulary.

●  Use the attached pages to complete the assignment.

POSSIBLE VOCABULARY:

plate boundary / pattern / magma / weathering / deposition / cementation / rock cycle
texture / mineral / lava / erosion / extrusive / intrusive / clastic rocks
chemical rocks / foliated / nonfoliated / metamorphic / sedimentary / igneous / sediment

TIMELINE:

Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / Friday
Essay 1 Assigned
2/27
Outline 1 Due
3/4 / Essay 1 Due
3/6 / Essay 2 Assigned
3/7
Final Day to Submit Revised Essay 1
3/12

EXPOSITORY ESSAY STRUCTURE

PARAGRAPH 1: Introduce your topic (3-5 sentences)

●  Lead (ask a question, state a surprising fact, tell a quick story)

●  Linking sentence(s) (add a sentence or two to connect the lead and main idea)

●  Main Idea (broad answer to essay question)

PARAGRAPH 2: Explain (5 sentences)

●  Why/how explanation for Joe Schmoe (who doesn’t know the essay question or much about the topic)

●  Use logical sequence of steps or events in time

●  Use transition words to link your ideas

In addition, next, moreover, on top of that, finally, for example, specifically, etc.

●  Stick to a more formal tone

PARAGRAPH 3: Conclusion (3 sentences)

Include (in an order that sounds right and makes sense)

●  Restate your main idea

●  State why this is important or what it all means (What’s the big picture meaning of this?)

●  Revisit “hook” (Use the idea in your hook to wrap up)

SHORT ESSAY: What is the rock cycle?

Outline due Tuesday March 4th

DIRECTIONS: Describe the rock cycle. Explain the parts of the rock cycle and their importance. Use specific vocabulary from our rocks and minerals unit.

PARAGRAPH 1: Introduce your topic (3-5 sentences)

Lead:______

______

Linking sentence(s): ______

______

Main Idea: ______

______

PARAGRAPH 2: Explain (5 sentences)

1) ______

______

2) ______

______

3) ______

______

4) ______

______

5) ______

______

PARAGRAPH 3: Conclusion (3 sentences)

Restate main idea:______

______

What it all means: ______

______

Revisit “hook”: ______

______

Grading Rubric for Short Essay Outline

4 / 3 / 2 / 1
Content / Content is thoroughly explained in complete sentences. / Content is well explained in large phrases. / Content is partially explained in short phrases. / Content is not adequately explained (only 1-2 words per line).
Organization / All information is clearly and logically organized in appropriate paragraphs. / Information is logically organized in appropriate paragraphs. / Some information needs to be moved into different paragraphs. / No or very little organization of information.
Mechanics / All grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors have been fixed. / Most grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors have been fixed. (Errors do not interfere with meaning.) / Grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors are present. (Errors distract from meaning.) / Grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors are present, making outline difficult to read.
Work Habits / Submitted early (Monday) and with exceptional neatness. / Submitted on time (Tuesday) with acceptable neatness. / Submitted one day late (Wednesday); handwriting is somewhat difficult to read. / Submitted more than one day late; handwriting is illegible.

Short Essay Checklist

_____ Descriptive Title Stating the Topic (capitalize important words)

_____ First paragraph has:

_____ Hook (surprising fact, question, quick story)

_____ Sentence (or two) that leads hook idea to main idea

_____ Main idea statement

_____ Middle paragraph:

_____ First sentence introduces explanation to come

_____ Explains main idea with at least 3 details (more if needed)

_____ Details are in an order that makes sense and is easy to follow

_____ Last sentence concludes explanation

_____ Last paragraph (has the following in any order that makes sense):

_____ restates main idea (you can “flip” wording of your main idea sentence)

_____ states why this is important or “what it all means”

_____ revisits hook idea

_____ Essay reread and checked for:

_____ C.O.P.S. (capitals, omissions, punctuation, spelling)

_____ Used word bank words

_____Transition words (In addition, What’s more, For example, As you can see, Clearly)

_____ Repetitive and unnecessary words (weed out!)

_____ Words with precise, vivid meanings

(SEEK AND DESTROY: Stuff, thing, get, then, really)