Name: ________________________________________________
EXTRA CREDIT SCIENCE PROJECT
DUE: Monday, January 5th
In your RAFT, you will write a 4 paragraph persuasive speech about the effects of volcanoes. Your first paragraph
introduces what you are (causes), the second paragraph discusses the negative effects, the third discusses the positive
effects, and the fourth is a conclusion. Remember that in your speech you are trying to tell people that you are not as
bad as they think.
R – Role – Volcano
A – Audience – Public (people near a volcano)
F – Format – Speech
T – Topic – Effects of a volcano (a volcano is not as bad as people assume)
Accuracy
Perspective
Cause and
Effect
Organization
Mechanics
4
Information and details
in RAFT always
accurate. Properly
reflects information,
ideas, and themes
related to the subject.
RAFT maintains clear,
consistent point of
view, tone, and ideas
relevant to role played;
ideas and information
always tied to role and
audience.
Causes and effects are
clearly stated and
supported with
evidence. Both positive
and negative effects
are discussed in detail.
Ideas were expressed
in a clear and organized
fashion. All related
information was
together. It was easy to
figure out what the
writing was about.
Essay contains few to
no fragments, run-on
sentences; rare errors
or mechanical
mistakes; writing is
fluent.
3
Provides accurate
information in RAFT
but could use more
support.
2
Provides information in
RAFT that has some
inaccuracies or
omissions.
1
Provides information
in RAFT that is
incomplete and/or
inaccurate.
Explains how character
would feel about the
event(s).
Shows little insight into
how character would
feel or act during the
event(s).
Does not accurately
develop characters,
thoughts or reactions
to the event(s).
Causes and effects are
clearly stated.
Causes and effects are
unclear or lack
evidence.
Missing causes or
effects.
Ideas were expressed
in a pretty clear
manner, but the
organization could have
been better. Most
related information
was together.
Essay contains some
fragments, run-ons or
other errors; occasional
mistakes; writing is
generally clear.
Ideas were somewhat
organized, but were
not very clear. It took
more than one reading
to figure out what the
letter was about.
The information
seemed to be a
collection of unrelated
sentences. It was very
difficult to figure out
what the letter was
about.
Essay contains
mechanical mistakes;
is marred by numerous
errors.
Essay contains several
sentence errors and
mechanical mistakes
that may interfere with
ideas and clarity of
ideas in writing.
Note: This is an example of a RAFT written about an EARTHQUAKE, NOT a volcano. Yours will be about a
volcano. 
Example:
Good afternoon, I am an earthquake and I am here to tell you a little about myself. Most people think
that I am a destructive force, but I am here to tell you that I am not as bad as people think. For those of you
who do not know who I am, I am that tremor you feel beneath your feet when the earth quakes or shakes. I
happen mainly around the Ring of Fire where most faults are located. Earthquakes such as I happen when the
tectonic plates bump or slide.
Yes, it is true that I can cause damage. When the ground shifts, it can damage roads and buildings.
When these things happen deaths can occur. There have even been times when I have caused entire cities to
crumble because the buildings there were not strong enough to withstand my force. I am a very rapid process
and can cause this damage in less than a minute.
Even though I am able to cause major damage, I am not all bad. There are good things that I am able
to do as well. Mountains form thanks to me! If I happen because the plates are colliding, the land near the
fault can actually rise. All of the major mountain ranges in the world were formed by earthquakes such as me.
Just think of what our world would look like if I had not been there to help shape it. In fact, just recently I
caused the mountains near Pakistan to rise as much as 15 feet!
So, friends, when you think of me do not just remember that I can cause buildings and bridges to
collapse. Also remember that mountains happened thanks to me, and please spread the word: earthquakes
can be great!