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 (gvs6th@gmail.com; 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
cementatio
n
rock cycle
texture
mineral
lava
erosion
extrusive
intrusive
clastic
rocks
chemical
rocks
foliated
nonfoliate
d
metamorphi
c
sedimentar
y
igneous
sediment
TIMELINE:
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Essay 1 Assigned
2/27
Outline 1 Due
3/4
Essay 1 Due
3/6
Final Day to
Submit
Revised Essay
1
3/12
Essay 2
Assigned
3/7
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 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).
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.
Content
Organization
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)