Introduction to Physical Science
Writing Assignment Prompts
1. Think about all of the forms of renewable energy available (solar, wind, hydro, geothermal). Based on
the climate where you live, which one or ones of these types of renewable energy sources would work
best? Do you think in the future one of these forms of renewable energy will be used? If so, would you
use it to help power or heat your home?
2. If you could design your own house using alternative forms of renewable energy, how would you
power each element of your house (heating, cooling, electricity, vehicle, etc.)? Do you think this will be
likely become the house of the future? If so, when do you think this futuristic house will be available to
purchase?
3. Most of the energy we have is produced by using fuels like coal and gas. These fuels are being used
up. Scientists are working to find new fuels that won’t run out. Conservation helps use less fuel. Visit
www.earthday.net or other websites to find out about conserving energy and creating new energy
sources. Write a paper that summarizes what you learn about renewable and non-renewable energy
sources.
4. Write a 5 paragraph double-spaced essay in which you persuade the reader that installing a solar
energy system at your school would be beneficial. Remember to support your position with reasoning
and specific examples taken from your research, studies, experience, or observations. (persuasive essay)
5. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using fossil fuels?
6. What are the benefits and drawbacks of using renewable energy technologies?
7. Compare and contrast traditional energy forms (fossil fuels) and new, alternative energy sources.
8. Compare and contrast two energy sources of your choice. (compare and contrast essay)
9. Alternative energy such as natural gas, wind energy or solar energy cost more than the value they give
to society, therefore society should discontinue funding the alternative energy sources. (persuasive
essay)
10. Convince me that the energy source of your choice is the best energy source available. (persuasive
essay)
Introduction to Physical Science
Benchmarks and Rubric
4
3
2
Identified highly
appropriate sources
in a variety of
formats (books,
journals, electronic
sources)
Identified mostly
appropriate sources
in a variety of
formats (books,
journals, electronic
sources).
Identified a few
appropriate
sources but made
little attempt to
balance format
types.
Cited all sources of
information
accurately to
demonstrate the
credibility and
authority of the
information
presented.
Cited most sources
of information in
proper format and
documented
sources to enable
accuracy checking
Cited most
sources of
information
improperly and
provided little or
no supporting
documentation to
check accuracy
1
Benchmark
S.W.6-8.8 Gather relevant
information from multiple
print and digital sources,
using search terms
effectively; assess the
credibility and accuracy of
each source; and quote or
paraphrase the data and
conclusions of others while
avoiding plagiarism and
following a standard
format.
Used information
ethically all of the
time
S.W.6-8.7 Conduct short
research projects to answer
a question (including a selfgenerated question),
drawing on several sources
and generating additional
related, focused questions
that allow for multiple
avenues of exploration.
S.W.6-8.6 Use technology,
including the internet, to
produce and publish
writing and present the
relationships between
information and ideas
clearly and efficiently.
Wrote thoughtful,
creative, wellworded specific
questions that were
relevant to the
assigned topic.
Presented content
clearly and concisely
with a logical
progression of ideas
and effective
supporting evidence.
Used information
ethically most of the
time
Wrote well-worded,
specific questions
that were relevant
to the assigned
topic.
Presented most of
the content with a
logical progression
of ideas and
supporting evidence
Failed to use
information
ethically some of
the time.
Wrote questions
which lacked
focus, were poorly
stated, and were
not entirely
relevant to the
assigned topic.
Presented content
which failed to
maintain a
consistent focus,
showed minimal
organization and
effort, and lacked
an adequate
amount of
supporting
evidence.
Identified no
appropriate
sources in any
format.
Created citations
which were
incomplete or
inaccurate, and
provided no way
to check the
validity of the
information
gathered.
Failed to use
information
ethically.
Wrote questions
which lacked a
specific focus,
were poorly
stated, and not
relevant to the
assigned topic
Presented content
which was
unfocused, poorly
organized, showed
little thought or
effort and lacked
supporting
evidence.
Introduction to Physical Science
S.W.6-8.5 With some
guidance and support from
peers and adults, develop
and strengthen writing as
needed by planning,
revising, editing, rewriting,
or trying a new approach,
focusing on how well
purpose and audience have
been addressed.
The writing fulfills
its purpose by
The writing fulfills its presenting
purpose by
information
presenting
gathered about a
information gathered topic.
about a topic.
The writing is
The writing is clearly targeted to its
targeted to its
intended audience.
intended audience.
The writing has an
The writing has an
introduction, a
introduction, a body, body, and a
and a conclusion.
conclusion.
The report includes a
thesis statement that
is supported with
evidence and details.
S.W.6-8.4
Produce clear and coherent
writing in which the
development, organization,
and style are appropriate to
task, purpose, and
audience.
S.W.6-8.2a
Introduce a topic clearly,
previewing what is to
follow, organize ideas,
concepts, and information
into broader categories as
appropriate to achieving
purpose; include formatting
(e.g., headings), graphics
(e.g., charts, tables), and
multimedia when useful to
aiding comprehension.
Reflects essential
information; is
logically arranged;
concepts succinctly
presented; no
misspellings or
grammatical errors
Main concept easily
identified;
subconcepts branch
appropriately from
main idea
The report includes
a thesis statement
that is supported
with evidence and
details.
Reflects most of the
essential
information; is
generally logically
arranged; concepts
presented without
too many excess
words; fewer than
three misspellings
or grammatical
errors.
Main concept easily
identified; most
subconcepts branch
from main idea.
The writing almost
fulfills its purpose
by presenting
information
gathered about a
topic.
The writing is not
targeted to its
intended
audience.
The writing has an
introduction, a
body, and a
conclusion.
The report
includes a thesis
statement.
Reflects some of
the essential
information; is
almost logically
arranged;
concepts
presented with
too many words;
misspellings and
grammatical
errors.
Main concept
almost clearly
identified;
subconcepts don’t
always branch
from main idea.
The writing does
not fulfill its
purpose of
presenting
information
gathered about a
topic.
The writing is not
targeted to its
intended
audience.
The writing does
not have an
introduction, a
body, and a
conclusion.
The report does
not include a
thesis statement.
Contains
extraneous
information; is not
logically arranged;
contains
numerous spelling
and grammatical
errors.
Main concept not
clearly identified;
subconcepts don’t
consistently
branch from main
idea.
Introduction to Physical Science
S.W.6-8.2
Students will be able to
write
informative/explanatory
texts, including the
narration of scientific
procedures/experiments,
or technical processes.
S.W.6-8.10
Write routinely over
extended time frames (time
for reflection and revision)
and shorter time frames (a
single sitting or day or two)
for a range of disciplinespecific tasks, purposes,
and audiences.
Commanding use of
key terms with very
few or no errors
Connections
between concepts
are well developed
Concepts presented
demonstrate
understanding at the
analysis, synthesis,
or evaluation levels;
reflect
transformation
of content beyond
that provided in the
text/activity by the
student
Sufficient use of key
terms to illustrate
comprehension;
majority of key
terms used
accurately
Connections
between concepts
are beginning,
although they
may be limited to
the applications
provided in the
text/activities
Relatively few key
terms present; or
a majority of the
key terms
present are used
inaccurately
Connections
between concepts
not always
present; or
generally
incorrect
Few key terms
present; or a
majority of the key
terms
present are used
inaccurately
Connections
between concepts
not present; or
generally incorrect
Students produce a
complete research
paper that includes
all assigned tasks and
exceeds
expectations.
Students produce a
complete research
paper that includes
all assigned tasks
and meets
expectations.
Students produce
a complete
research paper
that includes most
assigned tasks but
does not meet
expectations fully.
Students produce
an incomplete
research paper
that is missing
assigned tasks and
does not meet
expectations.