Name: _________________________ Class: ___________
Grade 6 Humanities
Ancient Egypt: Egypt Excursion Letter
In Humanities class, you recently studied Egypt and learned all about its geography and how it
affected the ancient civilization. Then, your family decided to take you to Egypt during the school
holiday. You have just finished a riverboat cruise of the Nile River and you are excited about what
you saw. In order to explain what you learned, you should now write a letter to your teacher
describing your experience, focusing on one specific monument.
Directions:
Write a formal letter to Mr. Ormrod (or another teacher at SAS if you so choose) about one of the four Ancient
Egyptian monuments visited on the Riverboat Cruise. Include specific information you learned from the Riverboat
Cruise, but be sure to paraphrase it in your own words. Also, finish with one question you are still curious about.
This letter should:
 be typed, 12-point, default font AND double-spaced
 be written in appropriate formal voice (remember our formality spectrums)
 have a greeting and signature
 be between 150 and 350 words long (and include your word count at the bottom)
Finally:
Use the internet to find an image of the Ancient Egyptian site you have chosen to write about. Use your Photoshop
skills from the Menace of Mesopotamia poster to add yourself to the image (like you were really there!). Include this
edited image as part of your letter. Be sure to cite the source where you found this image at the end of your letter!
Letter Rubric
Pts
Voice
 2 My letter has personality and feeling, yet it is still written in the appropriate formal tone.
 1 My letter has some formal tone but this is mixed with informal phrases or elements. This
has my flavor, though some of it is common. My writing isn’t unique.
2
Categories
Word Choice
 4 Extremely clear, visual and accurate, I chose the right words for the right places. Words
are colorful, snappy, and fresh. You won’t find overdone or repetitive language (dead
words!).
 3 Most words are clear and vivid, though some are repetitive and overdone. I have revised
for Word Choice. However, I have missed opportunities and I have echoes.
 2 Correct but not striking. I used everyday words but did not stretch much for new and
better ways to say things. My words aren’t specific. I need better details.
 1 Confusing or unclear. A lot of words and phrases are vague. I used the same words all
over.
4
Conventions
 3 Mostly correct. There are very few errors in my letter. Spelling is accurate; capitals used
correctly; punctuation marks are correct; grammar is consistent.
 2 About halfway there. A number of bothersome mistakes need cleaning up. A few
simple/common mistakes have been overlooked. Problems in punctuation.
 1 Editing is not under control yet. Spelling errors are common. Capital letters are scattered
all over, or not used at all. Punctuation is limited or overused. I haven’t spent time editing
this paper.
3
Photoshopped Image
 2 You photoshopped yourself into a photograph of the correct monument. Numerous
Photo-editing skills have been applied to your picture and the photo to individualize it to
excellent effect.
 1 Incorrect monument and/or basic Photo-editing skills have been applied to the picture to
individualize it.
Image Citation
1 point for the correct citation of the source where you got your image (not Google!)
2
1
Total: 12
Student
Teacher
Outline:
Use this space to plan out your writing by understanding the parts of a letter and making an outline:
Greeting
Purpose
My Letter
Beginning
Purpose
My Letter
Purpose
My Letter
Purpose
My Letter
Revision (Leave blank for now)
Middle
Revision (Leave blank for now)
End
Revision (Leave blank for now)
Signature
Purpose
My Letter