Writing Assignment and Rubric – Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration
Read the following writing prompts. You will choose ONE to complete as one of two 3rd six week’s
writing assignments. Each will be 5% of your average. Take the assignment seriously. Use the rubric for
your prompt to guide you.
1. You wake up one morning and realize YOU ARE GREEN! This is due to all your mitochondria
turning into chloroplasts (you now have NO mitochondria). In an essay explain how you will
survive both day and night. Also explain what is happening in your chloroplasts and cells to
keep you alive.
2. You are an oxygen molecule floating in the air near a rabbit about to pass into its nasal
passageways. Tell the story of your adventure through cellular respiration of the rabbit and
then photosynthesis in a plant.
Before you begin writing you must show your thoughts and ideas using the ABS format. You will have
time to work on this in class. You must include your “brainstorm” graphic with your paper and rubric.
ABS Process:
ATTACK!
1) Cross out extra information not needed
2) Circle task (verb) and what you will do (explain, describe, evaluate, etc)
3) Draw arrow to specific information verbs address
4) Rewrite the writing task
BRAINSTORM!
1) Use graphic organizer
2) Brainstorm arguments/ ideas
3) Make sure each argument/idea has specific examples
4) Ensure your examples are specific
SEQUENCE!
1) Number order arguments will appear in essay (don’t have to use all of them)
2) In scientific argument evidence is used to make a case whether scientific ideas should be
accepted or rejected
Student Name: ___________________________________________ Due Date: __________________
Staple this to the front of your writing assignment and graphic organizer when you turn it in.
YOU ARE
GREEN!
5
points
3
points
1
points
0
points
How do you
get energy
Clearly explain Partial
Wrong
No
process of
explanation of explanation of explanation of
photosynthesis photosynthesis photosynthesis photosynthesis
What’s
happening in
your cells
Clearly explain
how the cells
function using
the products
of
photosynthesis
for survival
Partial
explanation of
how the cells
function using
the products
of
photosynthesis
for survival
Little or
incorrect
explanation of
how the cells
function using
the products
of
photosynthesis
for survival
No
explanation of
how the cells
function using
the products
of
photosynthesis
for survival
Surviving day
and night
Clearly explain
how you will
survive during
the day and
night.
Partial
explanation of
how you will
survive during
the day and
night.
Poor
explanation of
how you will
survive during
the day and
night.
No
explanation of
how you will
survive during
the day and
night.
Writing &
Creativity
Complete
sentences,
legible – neat
handwriting,
creative and
thoughtful
Complete
sentences,
legible – neat
handwriting,
little creativity
Complete
sentences,
legible – neat
handwriting,
no creativity
Some
incomplete
sentences or
run-ons, little
effort shown
to be legible
For the teacher to fill out:
Points earned _____________ out of 20 possible points. Total grade = __________________
Student Name: ___________________________________________ Due Date: __________________
Staple this to the front of your writing assignment and graphic organizer when you turn it in.
5
points
3
points
1
points
0
points
Cellular
Respiration
From inhale to
mitochondrion
to exhale, full
explanation of
entire trip
From inhale to
mitochondrion
to exhale,
partial
explanation of
entire trip
Partial
explanation of
trip including
mitochondrion
No
explanation of
Cellular
Respiration
Photosynthesis
From entering
as oxygen to
chloroplast to
leaving as CO2,
full
explanation of
entire trip
From entering
as oxygen to
chloroplast to
leaving as CO2,
partial
explanation of
entire trip
Partial
explanation of
trip including
chloroplast
No
explanation of
Photosynthesis
Writing &
Creativity
Complete
sentences,
legible – neat
handwriting,
creative and
thoughtful
Complete
sentences,
legible – neat
handwriting,
little creativity
Complete
sentences,
legible – neat
handwriting,
no creativity
Some
incomplete
sentences or
run-ons, little
effort shown
to be legible
Oxygen
Adventure
For the teacher to fill out:
Points earned _____________ out of 15 possible points. Total grade = __________________