PROMPT: After reading the article, create a short writing piece that summarizes the
issue of Native American mascots and logos. Paraphrase and quote relevant, credible
evidence to support the main idea of the article and also to avoid plagiarism.
1 Thousands of schools have indian or Native American mascots. but some Natives are a
fended. Some students thought the mascots were good. Others thought it was raised
and disrespectful. Pro teams you'es name's like Atlantic Braves.
Some students thought that the mascots where good. Randen Lloyd from
Mukwonago High School felt the mascots just resembles the pride, honor and courage
of the school. others thought that it was bad and raisest . some people made it so the
school was ordered to change their mascot and their name. Pro teams you's names like
Atlantic Braves. indain names have been around for yeas. I think indain names should be
shone as respect.
Holistic Score: 1
Controlling Idea (Creates a topic sentence, however in two sentences, whole essay stays
on topic.)
 Attempts to address prompt but lacks focus or is off task.
 Off task
 Attempts to preview what follows the stated topic
Development (While there are references from the article, there are no quotations used.)
 Lacks analysis of:
o Facts
o Definitions
o Concrete details
o Quotations
o Other information and examples
Organization (The organization is minimal; no transitions are used; the concluding
sentence is attempted.)
 Transitions are ineffective
 Attempts to provide a concluding statement or section
 Lacks the relevant formatting
Command of Language (There are many areas where usage is a problem as well as
spelling errors.)
 Language and vocabulary attempts to inform about the topic
 Establishes a formal tone but does not maintain it
1 Should schools have to change their mascots? Some people believe that school
mascots these days are racists and steriotypical. Many schools have gotten complaints
because parents and students don't approve of school mascots. Some of these mascots
have been around for years and are a part of the schools history. Should schools really
have to change their mascots because a few people dont like them. There are also a few
NFL teams that have so called racist names but they don't have to change them. On the
other hand though some people are right, these mascots can be racist.
There is a way around changing. If you get approval from an indian cheif then you can
keep your mascot whatever it may be. If you don't get approval from a cheif then there
is a law that states that you have to change your mascot, name, or logos. Is it really
worth all this trouble just to keep your mascot? A few schools have just given up and
changed their mascot. In the end there will always be people who are going to fight
against you so you should never change and just stand up for what you believe in.
Holistic Score: 1
Controlling Idea (Restates question posed and previews topic in one sentence)
 Attempts to address prompt but lacks focus or is off task.
 Off task
 Attempts to preview what follows the stated topic
Development (While there are facts from the article, there are no quotations used.)
 Lacks analysis of:
o Facts
o Definitions
o Concrete details
o Quotations
o Other information and examples
Organization (The organization is minimal; no transitions are used; the concluding
sentence is attempted.)
 Transitions are ineffective
 Attempts to provide a concluding statement or section
 Lacks the relevant formatting
Command of Language (There are many areas where usage is a problem as well as
spelling errors. Writer attempts to use vocabulary that matches the text itself, however
words are misused at times.)
 Language and vocabulary attempts to inform about the topic
 Establishes a formal tone but does not maintain it
PROMPT: After reading the article, create a short writing piece that summarizes the
issue of Native American mascots and logos. Paraphrase and quote relevant, credible
evidence to support the main idea of the article and also to avoid plagiarism.
Insult or Honor?
2 Native american s are offended by school names and teams. The Native Americans
plan to stop schools from insulting them. Although many of the schools with the Indian
as their mascot believe it represents honor and pride.
Lloyd an 18-year-old senior says "I always felt like the mascot just resembles the
pride, honor, and courage we have."
Schools do not disgrace their mascot, instead they praise their mascot. Native
Americans still believe that it is an insult having one of their own be a mascot. Schools
over 80 years old have had to change their mascot because the Native Americans said it
is an insult.
Many schools believe that their logos and mascots are their identity and plan to keep
them. "The name is an enormous source of pride." says Frank Black Cloud. If the schools
do not give up their logos and mascots they are not allowed to play in the
championships.
Some schools such as Stanford University in California, decided to change their name
from the Indian to the Cardinal in 1972. Many other schools waited until 2005 when
they were forced to change their name and logos. Arkansas State University's team
changed from the Indians to the Red Wolves.
Schools all around have been changed and many more are getting changed. The most
recent team that has been changed is the University of North Dakota, their nickname
the Fighting Sioux. The University of Utah is still a team and has not been switched.
Native Americans and schools across the U.S. will fight for what is right.
Holistic score: 2
Rationale:
Controlling Idea (Uses a topic sentence for the first paragraph to introduce topic)
 Addresses prompt appropriately and maintains a clear focus
 Introduces topic clearly
 Previews what follows the stated topic
Development (Facts are used from the original article and a quotation is used)
 Develops the topic with analysis of some relevant:
o Well-chosen facts
o Definitions
o Concrete details
o Quotations
o Other information and examples
Organization (Formatting is inconsistent and transitions are not used. There is an
introduction and concluding statement)
 Uses appropriate and varied transitions
 Provides a concluding statement or section
 Includes formatting
Command of Language (Words are used logos, mascots, and Native American, formal
tone is maintained)
 Uses language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the
topic
 Establishes and maintains a formal tone
2 Insult or Honor?
Many schools throughout the United States, about 6,500 elementary, middle, high
schools, and colleges, have Indian or Native American related mascots. For example, the
Mukwonago High School's mascot is the Plains Indian, which a painting of hangs in the
stadium. The football players touch it for luck before each game. One senior said,"I
always felt like the mascot just resembles the pride, honor, and courage we have."
Many other schools feel the same way about their mascot-that it indicates pride and
honor. But others don't agree. The N.C.A.A. (National Collegiate Athletic Association)
felt that all Native American related mascots were considered as "hostile or abusive" to
the Native Americans. They made a list of 19 universities with these mascots, giving
them the option to either get permission from the tribe to keep their name and mascot,
find a new name, or if they didn't do either, they would be excluded from hosting
championship games. Many colleges, like Arkansas State, Indiana University, and
Newberry College, decided to change their names. Indians became Red Wolves, Crimson
Hawks, and Wolves. Other universities sought permission from the tribes, and the
University of Utah and Florida State remained Utes and Seminoles. The North Dakota
Fighting Sioux decided to keep their name, even if it meant they couldn't host
championship games. The nearby Spirit Lake Tribe gave them permission, and sued the
N.C.A.A. to let the name remain. "The name is a source of great pride," said one
member of the tribe.
However, changing a name is not easy. Many professional sports teams were expected
to change as well, but it takes time. The Atlanta Braves draw fans with their "tomahawk
chop" and memorabilia sales are profitable at such games. One professor noticed that
"EVery time the Cleveland Indians play, there is a group of Native People outside who
protest. It's really difficult to be heard and to fight a multi-million dollar industry."
Many of these cases may or have visited court, and many are unresolved, but many
teams hope to keep their names and mascots, along with their source of pride.
Holistic score: 2
Rationale:
Controlling Idea (Prompt is addressed and there is a focus through out)
 Addresses prompt appropriately and maintains a clear focus
 Introduces topic clearly
 Previews what follows the stated topic
Development (There are many quotations and details used; facts and other information
fit into sentences nicely)
 Develops the topic with analysis of some relevant:
o Well-chosen facts
o Definitions
o Concrete details
o Quotations
o Other information and examples
Organization (Some transitions are used but paragraph structure is lacking. There is an
attempt at a concluding statement, although ineffective)
 Uses appropriate and varied transitions
 Provides a concluding statement or section
 Includes formatting
Command of Language (There is use of domain specific language and the tone remains
formal through out. There are areas where punctuation is incorrect and spacing if off.)
 Uses language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the
topic
 Establishes and maintains a formal tone
PROMPT: After reading the article, create a short writing piece that summarizes the
issue of Native American mascots and logos. Paraphrase and quote relevant, credible
evidence to support the main idea of the article and also to avoid plagiarism.
3 Race based school names are causing a problem in many areas.
Firstly, about 6,500 schools in the United States have names that can be offensive to
a race, most commonly the Native American race. Many American Indian Advocacy
groups view the logos, mascots, and names to be offensive and fight to put an end to
these. Some residents are suing too keep young adult learning facility names.
However, some schools are refusing too make changes. The changes that would have
to be made to the equipment could end up causing schools hundreds of thousands of
dollars. Native American names have a long history, many major sports teams have
names derived from Native American tribes. Some say that their name is a huge part of
their identity, though some schools have already changed. Other teams have gotten
permission from tribe members to keep their names.
Although, some people do not mind the names. " The name is an enormous source of
pride," Frank Black Cloud, a fighting Sioux advocate and member of Spirit Lake, recently
told the Time magazine. All of the schools on the N.C.A.A.'s list have resolved the issue,
except for the Alcorn State University of Mississippi.
With one of the largest Native American populations Wisconsin, is the only state so
far that has passed a law to allow changes to the mascots of high schools. It took effect
two years ago and so far there have been four complaints. Which have led to two school
districts to drop their logos and nicknames. And three schools are in the process of
appealing orders to change their team names.
Holistic Score: 3
Controlling Idea (There is a topic sentence that introduces the topic; there are topic
sentences with transitions used throughout the piece)
 Addresses prompt appropriately and maintains a clear focus
 Introduces topic clearly
 Previews what follows the stated topic
Development (The piece is heavy on facts from the article as well as the use of quotes.)
 Develops the topic with analysis of some relevant:
o Well-chosen facts
o Definitions
o Concrete details
o Quotations
o Other information and examples
Organization (There are clearly defined paragraphs and transitions throughout the piece,
the transitions also show relationships from one idea to the next. There is an attempt at
a conclusion but it is not complete and adds additional information for the reader as
opposed to concluding what was discussed.)



Uses appropriate and varied transitions
Attempts to clarify relationships among ideas and concepts
Provides a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the
information or explanation presented
 Includes formatting to aid comprehension
Command of Language (A formal tone is used and maintained, as well as, the use of
domain specific language. There aren’t many areas where usage is distracting to the
reader.)
 Uses language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the
topic
 Establishes and maintains a formal tone
Honor or Insult
3 In the New York Times article, it talks about how Native Americans find that the
mascots we use to portray some of our learning facilities, and well known sports teams
to be offensive, since they are indian mascots.
First, the educational facilities say that their mascot shouldn't show offense, they say
it should rather resemble the qualities they want their students to possess like honor,
pride, and courage. One 18 year old senior said," I always felt like the mascot resemble
the pride, honor, and courage we have," Many other schools say the names and logos
are main parts of their identity that they honor, rather than disrespect the Native
Americans.
Second many, colleges are having to change their mascot, because their mascots they
have sound hostile or abusive to Native Americans. In the 2005 the N.C.A.A[National
Collegiate Athletic Association] found 19 university to change because of their mascot.
"Since Arkansas State University switched from the Indian to the Red Wolves; Indiana
University's Indians became the Crimson Hawks." There still are some who haven't
changed, such as the Utah Utes, but they are still working on it.
Lastly, Native Americans are protesting at some of the games of the Cleveland
Indians. Some say," It's at least a start," to have some change in a few mascots. One
man says," It's a recognition that it causes a hostile environment for Native people who
happen to go to school there or who are in the community. He also talks about how
when protesting," It's really difficult to be heard and to fight a multimillion dollar
industry." So to this day N.C.A.A. is still working to fix the Mascots of the colleges that
still have indians as mascots, but the Native Americans are still happy that we have
recognized that the Indian mascots are offensive and should be and are being dealt
with.
Holistic Score: 3
Controlling Idea
 Addresses prompt appropriately and maintains a clear focus
 Introduces topic clearly
 Previews what follows the stated topic
Development
 Develops the topic with analysis of some relevant:
o Well-chosen facts
o Definitions
o Concrete details
o Quotations
o Other information and examples
Organization
 Uses appropriate and varied transitions
 Attempts to clarify relationships among ideas and concepts
 Provides a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the
information or explanation presented
 Includes formatting to aid comprehension
Command of Language
 Uses language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the
topic
 Establishes and maintains a formal tone
PROMPT: After reading the article, create a short writing piece that summarizes the
issue of Native American mascots and logos. Paraphrase and quote relevant, credible
evidence to support the main idea of the article and also to avoid plagiarism.
Insult or Honor
4 Native Americans are grieved by the many Indian mascots that represent schools
and professional sports teams. Some people have the opinion that the Indian mascots
simply represent the honor that the school or sports team has. Others believe it is an
insult to have an Indian for a mascot. Either way the schools and sports teams are
beginning to make a change from Indian-based mascots. However there are still nearly
6,500 elementary, middle, and high schools that use the mascots. Which side are you
on?
In high school the mascot you designate has a deep connection to the school. The
mascot represents the qualities the school strives for. This is why Lloyd, a senior in high
school said,
"I always felt like the mascot just resembles the pride, honor, and courage we have."
Having an Indian for a mascot isn't a problem at all for most people. Other people
however are offended by the very idea of an Indian mascot.
The people against having the mascot are just as opinionated. The find the Indian as
disrespectful, rather than showing honor. They want the mascots to be racially friendly.
They see it as an insult, and so they have been contending for a multitude of years to
stop the stereotypical views of Native American culture. They have been very
accomplished with schools, but professional sports are a whole different story.
Professional sports have had a difficult time with the changes of mascots. They have
had issues because it costs thousands of dollars to get new facilities, equipment, and to
rebrand the equipment. They will also lose attention to the team switching the mascot.
The teams are already multi-million dollar organizations, so this issue is not a huge deal
for them. Many fighters against the mascots say it's nearly impossible to make a case to
these gigantic organizations. Although they do try, there is a group that protests every
Cleveland Indian game. They are making an effort towards professional sports.
Colleges have differentiated their mascots thanks to a rule from the N.C.A.A. that
requires the colleges with hostile mascot names to change. They must change unless
they receive permission from the Indian Tribe to use their name. Otherwise they may
not host championship games. Over nineteen schools have had the opportunity to
change their mascot. The only school that refused was Alcorn State University in
Mississippi who go by the Braves.
The struggle against the mascots is making an effort, but not everyone is excited. The
so-called racially unfriendly mascots are used to display honor. This is how many people
look at it. There have been countless court appearances with men and women who
don't agree with the changes they are making with their schools. It's your decision to
look at the change as a good thing or a bad thing. Time will tell what the largest interest
is for the fight for mascots.
Holistic Score: 4
Controlling Idea
 Addresses all aspects of the prompt appropriately with a consistently strong
focus
 Introduces topic clearly
 Effectively previews what follows the stated topic
Development
 Develops the topic with analysis of multiple relevant:
o Well-chosen facts
o Definitions
o Concrete details
o Quotations
o Other information and examples
Organization
 Organizes ideas, concepts and information into broader categories
 Uses appropriate and varied transitions to create cohesion
 Provides s complete and successful concluding statement or section that follows
from and supports the information or explanation presented
 Includes formatting to aid comprehension
Command of Language
 Uses language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the
topic
 Establishes and maintains a formal style that enhances the topic
Insult or Honor?
4 Horse's hooves ring against the ground and the cries of the Indians echo in the
valley. Indian themed mascots are used at thousands of schools around America. Many
pro sports teams such as the Kansas City Chiefs use an Indian themed mascot. Many
fans and supporters think highly of them, but the Native Americans find this imagery
offensive. Many schooling facilities claim the mascots provide honor, rather than
disrespect, for the Native Americans. Although some agree, laws and alterations are
being made to resolve this conflict. But the teams and schools claim it's all tradition and
team logos/mascots help draw fan which produces a lot of money.
First, a plethora of schools claim the mascots honor, rather than disrespect, the
Native Americans. Frank Black Cloud, a Fighting Sioux advocate told theTime Magazine,
"The name is an enormous source of pride." Many schools say the names/logos "are
vital parts of their identity." Many American Indians don't agree. American Indian
advocacy groups have fought for years to put an end to these "stereotypical
representations of their culture." With only some success, they still fight over this
conflicting battle. And it seems like they are finally getting through to people.
There are now laws and alterations being made to resolve this conflict. In 2005, the
NCAA singled out 19 universities whose names were considered "hostile or abusive."
The only way that these collegiate educational facilities would be able to keep their
current Indian themed logos and mascots were if they "got permission from the tribal
leaders." If they could not accustom to this request or pick a new name, they would be
excluded from hosting championship games. Many had to change their mascot themes,
but other teams who received permission, such as the University of Utah's Utes, are
"still taking the field." In 2010, Wisconsin took a similar aim at this conflict and passed a
law giving residents "the right to contest race-based nicknames, logos, or mascots." The
concept is spreading quickly and many are paying attention.
Many teams (many of which are professionally leveled) claim that the Indian themed
franchises offer tradition and rituals at their games. Many of those traditions, such as
the "tomahawk chop" at the Braves game "fuel profitable memorabilia sales." Yet,
again, that's not always viewed as a good thing and rebellion sets in. "Every time the
Cleveland Indians play, there's a group of Native people outside who protest," says
Charles Teters, a founder of the National Coalition on Racism in Sports and the Media.
"It's really difficult to be heard and to fight a multimillion-dollar industry." But not only is
it the managers and the owners of the clubs, fans don't want to lose their beloved and
crucial part of their teams' traditions. Many are keeping their fingers crossed as the
battle for their tradition, money, and honor rages on. Many others are hoping for an
underdog victory in the battle for respect.
Holistic Score: 4
Controlling Idea
 Addresses all aspects of the prompt appropriately with a consistently strong
focus
 Introduces topic clearly
 Effectively previews what follows the stated topic
Development
 Develops the topic with analysis of multiple relevant:
o Well-chosen facts
o Definitions
o Concrete details
o Quotations
o Other information and examples
Organization
 Organizes ideas, concepts and information into broader categories
 Uses appropriate and varied transitions to create cohesion
 Provides s complete and successful concluding statement or section that follows
from and supports the information or explanation presented
 Includes formatting to aid comprehension
Command of Language
 Uses language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the
topic
 Establishes and maintains a formal style that enhances the topic