Unit 2: Families & Celebrations – Embedded Assessment 2: Expository Essay

 

Writing about Cultural Celebrations: Research a “rite of passage” or holiday/celebration from a culture other than your own. You may choose to research

 

~ marriage ceremonies                                       ~ birth ceremonies

~ death ceremonies                                            ~ coming of age ceremonies

~ religious holidays (other than your own)            ~ national or regional holidays (other than American)

 

Then, in a well-organized, expository essay explain the rite of passage or celebration, identify its significance in the context of that culture. In your conclusion, provide some insight into how the rite of passage or celebration relates to your culture.

 

 

  1. Calling on prior experiences and what you have learned about celebrations throughout this unit, identify one rite of passage or celebration from the general list above to research. The ceremony, celebration or rite of passage you choose should be based in a culture about which you know very little.
  2. Research. Utilizing the internet (appropriate and reliable sources only), the library, friends, and family research your topic and the culture in which it is based. You must have, at least, three strong sources of research material. See “guidelines for research” for proper modes of research and MLA citation format.
  3. Organize your research. There are many different ways to research and note important information as you move through a variety of sources. One way is outlined below.

Using a note card, organize information as follows:

On FRONT of note card:

Books

- Full name of author or editor (last name first)

- Title and subtitle (underlined, when you type it will be put in italics)

- City of publication, name of publisher, year of publication

Magazines and Newspapers

- full name of author

- Title of article (in quotation marks)

- Name of magazine or newspaper (underlined, then italicized in print)

- Dates, page numbers

Internet Sources

- Author’s name (if known)

- Title of article (in quotations)

- Title of overall website

- Full and exact URL website

- Date site was updated (if known) and date you visited site.

 

On BACK of note card: information learned

- What did you learn about from this source (summarize or paraphrase)

- Copy down an exact quote that might provide clear evidence in your essay. Use quotation marks so you won’t be confused about what is in your words vs. the author’s words later.

- What other sources led you here? Where can you go from here?

NOTE: a proper MLA guide can be found at the bottom of GHHS Library Website’s home page.

 

 

  1. Prewriting & Thesis Statement: Look over your research and create a meaningful thesis statement to focus and drive your essay. Using your thesis statement. Then, pre-write, brainstorming and organizing your research and analysis. You may do this in any format; although outlining may be most effective for this writing task
  2. Draft your essay. You must include
    1. An introductory and concluding paragraph,
    2. Focused thesis statement with clear identification of celebration/ceremony and its significance to the culture
    3. at least two body paragraphs with specific topic sentences focused on an element of the ceremony/celebration of significance. Topic sentences should tie back to the thesis statement.
    4. at least three direct quotes with proper internal citations
    5. “Works Cited” page in proper MLA format listing all sources directly cited in your paper. You may also include a section on this page for “Works Consulted” (otherwise known as a bibliography) for sources you consulted or used but did not directly cite.
  3. Complete self- and peer-revision assessments
  4. Revise and write a second draft. This draft must be read and commented on by a person outside of this class.
  5. Revise and write a Final Draft

Turn in your Final Draft with all pre-writing, previous drafts 1 & 2 (with self- and peer-assessments) and rubric.

 

 

Embedded Assessment 2.2: Rubric & Scoring Guide

 

 

Scoring
Criteria

Exceeds Expectations

Meets
Expectations

Does Not Yet
Meet Expectations

Organization

 

The essay engages the reader as the writer unveils the culture purpose of the ceremony, holiday, or celebration. The body paragraphs provide consistent and eloquent descriptions of the event as well as insightful and provocative evidence to support the writer’s explanation and analysis. The conclusion reflects an insightful understanding of the event’s significance, effectively ties back to the lead, and includes a connection to the writer’s personal culture.

The essay establishes a clear focus for the culture and the ceremony, holiday, or celebration. The body paragraphs provide detailed descriptions of the event, but lack in meaningful evidence or explanation/analysis. The conclusion reflects an understanding event but only provides minimal connections between event and writer’s personal culture.

The essay lacks focus and purpose. The body paragraphs are vague and may or may not provide the reader with a detailed description of the event or culture from which it comes. Evidence lacks connection to topic or is not explained The conclusion fails to capture the significance of the event and writer may not provide personal connection.

Analysis of Ceremony, Ritual, or Custom

Writer’s analysis draws meaningful conclusions about the event and addresses its significance.

Analysis explains the cultural significance of the event, but lacks in breadth and depth.

Analysis fails to explain the significance of the event or is plagued by redundancy.

Technically Sound Essay

 

The text is well written and polished. Transitions are utilized appropriately within and between paragraphs. Quotes are introduced seamlessly and are meaningfully explained. Connections between evidence and analysis are clear and insightful.   

While some errors in conventions and/or usage may be present, they do not interfere with the meaning of the text. In addition, the text may lack flow. The writer may demonstrate an inability to use transitions and evidence effectively.

There are numerous errors in usage and conventions that interfere with the meaning of the text. Transitions are lacking. Evidence is not tied to text, nor is it properly introduced or explained.  

Aspects of Research

 

Essay includes a correctly formatted works cited page. Internal citations are also properly formatted. There are, at least, three direct quotes used.

Essay includes three direct quotes that are correctly cited within the text. Essay includes a works cited page. Both internal citations and works cited page may have one or two formatting errors.

Essay may not include three direct quotes that are correctly cited. Essay may not include works cited page or internal citations that are formatted correctly.

Language & Writing Conventions

Writing conventions and language contain few errors. Student uses appropriate conventions and mechanics, i.e.  spelling, grammar, verb tense, subject-verb agreement, capitalization, punctuation (esp. commas), vocabulary usage, sentence structures and sentence variety. There are few, if any, grammatical errors.

Language and writing conventions are used correctly, with some occasional errors. Student’s writing is limited by an inappropriate use of proper conventions and mechanics, i.e. spelling, grammar, verb tense, subject-verb agreement, capitalization, punctuation (esp. commas), vocabulary usage, sentence structures and sentence variety. There are more than a few major grammatical errors.

Language and writing conventions contain many errors. Student’s writing is riddled with inappropriate and inconsistent use of proper conventions and mechanic. The writing is plagued by numerous grammatical errors.

 

Total points earned:                    /