Name:
Writer’s Workshop
Date:
A____
Expository Writing: Attribution Theory
Challenge Level 1: Studies seem to show that people with internal-unstable attributions are the most
successful, while people with external-stable attributions are the least successful.
In a two page expository essay, explain why I-Us are so much more successful than E-Ss.
Your two-page paper should be a minimum of five paragraphs. The following points must be addressed
in your paper:
a) What are the differences between internal and external attribute? What are the
differences between stable and unstable attribution?
b) How do these concepts apply to both successes and failures?
c) How does internal-unstable attribution show good qualities in a student or
employee?
d) How does external-stable attribution show bad qualities in a student or
employee?
e) Why is this an important concept for people to be aware of?
Completion
Elaboration
Essay is too short
and fails to answer
at least two of the
questions above.
Essay is slightly
too short and fails
to answer one of
the questions
above
Essay includes
Essay includes
fewer than three
four vague
examples, and
examples OR
those examples are only includes
vague, repetitive,
three examples.
or indirectly related Examples may be
to the topic of the
somewhat
essay.
repetitive.
Clarity
Essay is relatively
unclear on all
levels.
Word Choice
Essay uses
repetitive,
uninteresting, and
inappropriate
language.
More than 13
errors in spelling
and grammar.
Conventions
Essay is clear
either on the
holistic level or
the sentence
level.
Essay lapses into
informal language
and/or uses the
same words
repeatedly.
7-12 mistakes in
spelling and
grammar.
Essay is two pages
long, but does not
answer all five
questions
completely
Essay includes four
examples, but the
examples may not
be very detailed.
Example
demonstrate a few
different situations
where this concept
is relevant.
Essay is fairly clear
at the sentence,
paragraph, and
holistic level.
Essay employs
appropriate
language, but it is
somewhat
repetitive.
3-6 mistakes in
spelling, grammar,
and punctuation.
Essay is two
pages long and
addresses all
five of the
questions above
Essay makes
use of detailed,
specific
examples that
demonstrate
different
situations where
this concept is
relevant.
Essay is
extremely clear
at the sentence,
paragraph, and
holistic level.
Essay employs
interesting, ageappropriate, and
varied
language.
Fewer than 2
mistakes in
spelling,
grammar, and
punctuation.
Name:
Writer’s Workshop
Date:
A____
Expository Writing: Attribution Theory
Challenge Level 2: Studies show that people with unstable attributions seem to be more successful than
others (i.e. If you say, I failed because this test was hard, that is unstable; some tests will be easier. You
have hope!) In a 1.5-2 page expository essay, explain why it is better to have unstable attributions than
stable attributions. How does unstable attribution play a part in school? In work? In a social setting?
Your paper should be a minimum of four paragraphs. The following points must be addressed:
a) What does it mean to have stable attribution, and what about unstable attribution?
b) Can you only have stable/unstable attributions when things go badly, or does this apply to
when things go well too?
c) What good characteristics/personality traits are demonstrated by unstable attributions? What
can we tell about a person who makes unstable statements.
d) As a student, how does unstable attribution help you? What jobs would require people to have
unstable attributions? Why?
e) Why is this an important concept for people to be aware of?
Completion
Comprehension
Organization
Clarity
Grammar.
Essay is too short
and lacks answers
to two or more of
the five questions
listed above.
Essay is
slightly too
short and lacks
an answer to
one of the
questions
Demonstrates
Demonstrates
limited
some
understanding of understanding
the concepts
of the concepts
we’ve discussed
we’ve
in class.
discussed in
class.
May include
Includes
arbitrary
paragraph
paragraph
breaks, but the
breaks/Paragraphs paragraphs are
are broken up for indistinct, hard
no logic reason.
to tell apart,
and don’t
necessarily
make specific
points.
Relatively unclear Clear either on
on all levels.
the holistic or
the sentence
level.
More than 13
9-12 mistakes
mistakes in
in grammar.
grammar
Essay is 1.5pgs
and includes
answers to
questions A-E,
but answers
may lack depth.
Demonstrates a
good
understanding
of the concepts
we’ve
discussed in
class.
Organized into
paragraphs,
each of which
is “about”
something, but
there is some
confusion about
what each
paragraph is
about.
Fairly clear at
all level.
6-8 mistakes in
grammar.
Essay is long
enough and
includes clear
answers to
questions A-E
Demonstrates a
clear
understanding
of the concepts
we’ve
discussed in
class.
Organized in
distinct
paragraphs.
Each paragraph
is “about”
something
clear, and each
is “about”
something
different.
Extremely clear
at the sentence,
paragraph, and
holistic level.
5 or fewer
mistakes
grammar.
This essay is about: ___________________________________________________________________
Paragraph 1 is about:___________________________________________________________________
a. (What is internal attribution?)
b. (What is external attribution?)
c. (Can these apply to both successes and failures?)
d. (Name some situations where this might be relevant?)
e. (Write a short sentence about how this might relate to schools)
Paragraph 2 is about: __________________________________________________________________
a. (How internal attribution helps students IN GENERAL)
b. (A specific example of one way a student might be successful in school)
c. (How would a student with internal attribution react to this success?)
d. (How would a student with external attribution react to this success?)
e. (Why is the internal reaction better here? Why is that a good reaction?)
Paragraph 3 is about: __________________________________________________________________
a. (How could internal attribution help someone in a situation other than school?)
b. (Give a specific examples of one way a person might be unsuccessful outside of school)
c. (How would a person with internal attribution react to this failure?)
d. (How would a person with external attribution react to this failure?)
e. (Why is the internal reaction better here too? Why is that a good reaction?)
Paragraph 4 is about: __________________________________________________________________
a. (Why is it important for students to think about their attributions?)
b. (How could kids’ behavior change if they understood the importance of internal attribution?)
c. (Why is it important for adults to think about their attribution at their jobs or as parents?)
d. (How could adults’ behavior change if they understood the importance of internal attribution?)
Name:
Writer’s Workshop
Date:
A____
Expository Writing: Attribution Theory
Challenge Level 3: Studies show that people with internal attribution (people who give themselves
credit for success and failure) are more successful than people with external attribution (give other
things/people credit). How would people benefit from having internal attribution in school? At work? In
your social life? In a 1.5 page expository essay, explain why it is better to have internal attributions
than external attributions. You will write four paragraphs, all of which are outlined below.
Section 1: What does “internal attribution” mean? What does “external attribution.” Do these ideas only count for
failures, are do these ides apply to success too? What are some situations or places where you might see people demonstrate
internal or external attribution? (You should include school and work, but you should also come up with two more situations
on your own.)
Section 2: Why does internal attribution help students in schools? Give an example of a situations where a student
was successful. How would a student with internal attribution react to that success? How would a student with external
attribution react to that success? Why is the internal reaction better in this situation?
Section 3: How does internal attribution help people in situations outside of school? What is a way a person could be
unsuccessful in this situation? How would a person with internal attribution react to that failure? How would a person with
external attribution react to that failure? Why is the internal reaction better in this situation?
Section 4: Why is it important for students to think about their attribution (whether they blame themselves or other
people for their successes and failures)? How do you think students’ behavior might change if they understand the
importance of internal attribution (giving themselves credit for their success). Why is it important for adults to think about
their attribution at their jobs or as parents? How do you think adults’ behavior might change if they understand the
importance of internal attribution?
Organization
Outline
1
There are no distinct
paragraphs or
paragraphs all say
(more or less) the
same thing.
2
Although
paragraphs are
visually
separated, it is not
clear what each
paragraph is
about. Paragraphs
may also be
repetitive.
Outline is incomplete Outline is mostly
or not handed in with completed and is
essay.
handed in. Mostly
matches up with
essay.
Examples
You use no specific
examples in your
essay.
You use one
specific example
in your essay.
Effort
Poor effort
Fair effort
3
Each of your
paragraphs is
indented and is
about something,
although it might
not be entirely clear
what. Paragraphs
are all distinct.
4
Each of your
paragraphs is
indented and about
something specific
and recognizable.
Each paragraph is
different from each
other paragraph.
Outline is
completed and
handed in, but
could have been
more thorough.
Essay and outline
match up.
You use at least
two specific
examples in your
essay.
Good effort
Outline is
completed and
handed in with the
essay. The info on
the outline
corresponds with
the essay.
You use at least
three specific
examples in your
essay.
Great effort