“My Favorite…” A Descriptive Writing Assignment Sheet
Due Date:___________________
To wrap up our work on Six Traits Writing Ideas, I would like you to complete a descriptive
writing assignment, “My Favorite…” You may share your descriptive piece aloud on the last
day of the writing process procedure for 5 extra credit points.
Assignment:
Write about a favorite place, memory, experience, object, or person that has made an impression
on your life in thorough detail. You need to write in a manner that will appeal to your readers
(which are your classmates and I). Show significance and meaning of your “favorite”
throughout your writing piece by providing insight, writing selectively, using sentences that
show rather than tell, and using details that evoke all the senses (sight, sound, touch, taste, and
smell). Try to make an exciting introduction that will hook your reader and end your writing
piece appropriately. Pay attention to spelling and conventions. Remember, I will be grading
more heavily on ideas/development for this assignment. Use MLA formatting.
What you need:
 To complete a prewriting strategy filled with ideas for your writing piece by the end
of class. You can brainstorm using a story life map, your list from “100 Natural
Highs” project, or webbing. I need to see lots of DETAILS!
 Use thoughtful examples from material already discussed in class such as “100
Natural Highs” project, bell ringer entries, your own inspiration, etc.
 Provide purpose for your “favorite” writing piece—Make sure to SHOW readers the
story, not TELL them.
 To complete a self evaluation form after writing your first rough draft.
 To complete a peer conference day that includes making an appointment with
classmates to discuss your paper strengths and weaknesses. You will need to
complete 1 Peer Conference Writing Record sheet.
 Positive attitude and a smile. This will be fun!
Helpful Tips:
* Use your “100 Natural Highs” project to brainstorm writing ideas. Pick a favorite
that you know a lot about.
* Stay focused on one of your “favorites.” Try not to branch out on several
unnecessary topics. Make sure your main point stands out clearly and DO NOT use
“snoozer”/ “filler” information.
* Remember that you want your reader to feel like they are experiencing your
“favorite” with you. Your reader should not want to stop reading after they have
started reading your paper.
* Be specific with details in your story. Make sure they are significant and support
your main point.
* Use peer feedback from peer conference day and your self evaluation form to tweak
your final piece.
** Check out the rubric on the back for how you will be graded on this final piece.**
“My Favorite…” Final Rubric
Student’s Name:___________________________________
hour _________
Prewriting Strategy Used:
______/ 5 points
Peer Conference:
_______/5 points
Student completed Peer Conference Writing Record Sheet
Edited and revised rough draft:
Student included suggestions made by peer-responder
and made changes based on his/her self evaluation form
_______/10 points
Self Evaluation form:
_______/5 points
Completed and attached to the rough draft
Rubric for “My Favorite…” Descriptive Writing Assignment
Based off of Six-Trait Writing Scoring Continuum
5
Ideas and
Content
Conventions
Organization
3
1
*topic is narrow and manageable; the
writer effectively uses the “zoom
lens”
*topic is fairly broad; the writer
does not use the “zoom lens”
correctly
*the writer is still working on
what they want to say about
their topic; no “zoom lens” is
used
*there are several supporting details
for the main idea . Creates imagery
using words that relate to the 5
senses.
*there is some support of the main
idea; some details are “snoozers.”
One or fewer examples of
imagery.
*the details included are too
vague or missing. No imagery.
*the writer shows instead of tells the
reader by using interesting tidbits
*the writer tries to show the reader
instead of tell, but lacks interesting
tidbits
*the writer tells the reader
information rather than show
*there is one controlling idea; easy to
understand
*the writer is trying to share
several ideas; confusing to read
*everything seems as
important as everything else;
does not make sense
*the writer demonstrates a good
grasp of conventions,
ie. Spelling, punctuation, grammar,
paragraphing
*errors in conventions occur often
enough to become somewhat
distracting
*there are numerous errors
that make the text difficult to
read
Uses MLA formatting; double spaced;
12 font; Times or Ariel; heading with
name, teacher, class, and date
Some of the MLA formatting is
evident but not all
No MLA formatting
Writer uses an introduction that has a
lead which grabs the readers
attention.
An introduction is present but no
lead that grabs attention.
No introduction or lead is
present.
Overall Comments:
Writing: ______/ 35 points
______/ 60 points
Extra Credit for presentation: ______/ 5 points