Name __________________________________________ Date _______________ Period ________________
Level 3: Understands the theory of biological evolution and the current evidence to support it (e.g., fossil records, molecular evidence, similarities within diversity of living organisms, vestigial structures, embryological development).
Write a five-paragraph essay that presents an argument for or against the theory of biological evolution. The essay should follow this format:
Paragraph 1: Clearly state your thesis – are you supporting or refuting the theory of biological evolution? How will you go about supporting your position?
Paragraph 2: Explanation of evidence 1. Choose from fossil records, molecular evidence, similarities within diversity of living organisms, vestigial structures, or embryological development.
Paragraph 3: Explanation of evidence 2. Choose a different category from paragraph 1. Your choices are fossil records, molecular evidence, similarities within diversity of living organisms, vestigial structures, or embryological development.
Paragraph 4: Explanation of evidence 3. Choose a different category from paragraph 1 and 2. Your choices are fossil records, molecular evidence, similarities within diversity of living organisms, vestigial structures, or embryological development.
Paragraph 5: Restate your thesis and how you supported it.
Level 4: Understands the potential of genetic engineering and health care technology to influence natural selection and evolution (e.g., new varieties of cultivated plants, antibiotic resistant bacteria).
Explain how genetic engineering and health care technology could influence natural selection and evolution. Hint: check out antibiotic drug resistance.
Your explanation should be at least five paragraphs and include at least three scientifically credible sources.

Name ______________________________________ Date ____________ Period ____________
Level 3: Understands the theory of biological evolution and the current evidence to support it (e.g., fossil records,
molecular evidence, similarities within diversity of living organisms, vestigial structures, embryological development).
If the essay contains five (5) grammar and/or spelling errors, the teacher will stop grading at that point and return the essay to the student. The student then has 24 hours to edit and return the paper. If the student chooses not to edit or submits an edited paper with five (5) grammar and/or spelling errors, the paper will receive a zero (0).
Criteria
Paragraph
1
0
No reasonable attempt
Paragraph
2
Paragraph
3
3
Clearly states if the student is supporting or refuting the theory of evolution. Clearly states how the position will be supported.
Clearly and with detail, explains evidence 1 by:
1.
stating the name of the evidence
2.
defining the term
3.
researching at least one specific example
4.
linking the evidence to the theory of evolution
Clearly and with detail, explains evidence 1 by:
1.
stating the name of the evidence
2.
defining the term
3.
researching at least one specific example linking the evidence to the theory of evolution
2.5
States if the student is supporting or refuting the theory of evolution. States how the position will be supported.
May have minor confusion.
Explains evidence 1 by:
1.
stating the name of the evidence
2.
defining the term
3.
researching at least one specific example
4.
linking the evidence to the theory of evolution
AND misses one of the above
Explains evidence 1 by:
1.
stating the name of the evidence
2.
defining the term
3.
researching at least one specific example
4.
linking the evidence to the theory of evolution
AND misses one of the above
2
Does not state if the student is supporting or refuting the theory of evolution. OR Does not state how the position will be supported. OR major confusion.
Attempts to explain evidence 1 by:
1.
stating the name of the evidence
2.
defining the term
3.
researching at least one specific example
4.
linking the evidence to the theory of evolution
AND misses more than one of the above
Attempts to explain evidence 1 by:
1.
stating the name of the evidence
2.
defining the term
3.
researching at least one specific example
4.
linking the evidence to the theory of evolution
AND misses more than one of the above
No reasonable attempt
No reasonable attempt

Criteria
Paragraph
4
Paragraph
5
3
Clearly and with detail, explains evidence 1 by:
1.
stating the name of the evidence
2.
defining the term
3.
researching at least one specific example
4.
linking the evidence to the theory of evolution
Clearly restates the thesis and concludes how the thesis was supported.
Cites three scientifically credible sources
18 to 16 points
Sources
Points
Level 4
Achieves a 3 on the above rubric AND
4
Clearly and with abundant detail, explains how genetic engineering and health care technology could influence natural selection and evolution. AND correctly cites (APA) at least three scientifically credible sources.
2.5
Explains evidence 1 by:
1.
stating the name of the evidence
2.
defining the term
3.
researching at least one specific example
4.
linking the evidence to the theory of evolution
AND misses one of the above
Restates the thesis and concludes how the thesis was supported. May have minor confusion.
Cites two scientifically credible sources
15 to 13
2
Attempts to explain evidence 1 by:
1.
stating the name of the evidence
2.
defining the term
3.
researching at least one specific example
4.
linking the evidence to the theory of evolution
AND misses more than one of the above
Restates the thesis OR concludes how the thesis was supported. OR major confusion.
Cites less than two scientifically credible sources
12 to 10
0
No reasonable attempt
No reasonable attempt
Less than
10
3.5
Explains how genetic engineering and health care technology could influence natural selection and evolution but lacks in-depth understanding. AND correctly cites (APA) at least three scientifically credible sources.
3
Explains how genetic engineering and health care technology could influence natural selection and evolution but shows little understanding beyond level
3. OR correctly cites (APA) less than three scientifically credible sources.