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 cycletexture / mineral / lava / erosion / extrusive / intrusive / clastic rocks
chemical rocks / foliated / nonfoliated / metamorphic / sedimentary / igneous / sediment
TIMELINE:
Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / FridayEssay 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 / 1Content / 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)