Homework - 2/23

Due Monday, 2/27 :

Finish the outline for your cause/effect essay.  We will write the first draft in class on Monday, so please be prepared with your ideas and bring your laptop.  The final draft will be due on Thursday, the last day before spring break!

Here are the requirements (rubric) for your cause/effect essay:


ESL 4 Cause / Effect Essay
Purpose of this assignment: 
·       To show Mr. A that you can use explain causes and effects using cause/effect phrases, transition words, and paragraph transitions in an organized, detailed essay.

Essay topic:  Choose an issue and write about the causes and/or effects.

Requirements:
  • ·       Introduction and conclusion paragraphs
  • ·       2-5 body paragraphs explaining the causes or effects of an issue/phenomenon
  • ·       Use at least 5 cause/effect phrases (is due to, contributes, to, develops from, etc.)
  • ·       Use appropriate transition words and paragraph transitions
  • ·       at least 1.5 pages, double-spaced
  • ·       follow writing format guidelines (hung on wall in classroom)


Your grade:
Introduction & Conclusion

15 points
0
Your introduction and conclusion is missing or unclear.
5
Your introduction or conclusion is missing or unclear.
10
Your introduction and conclusion are a little too simple (missing background, summary, thesis, or additional thoughts in the conclusion).
15
Your introduction has a clear thesis statement and a few background sentences to introduce the topic.  Your conclusion has a summary and something to leave the reader interested.
Support paragraphs

40 points
5
Your body paragraphs do not support your thesis statement and match the topic of your essay.
10
Some sentences in your body paragraphs do not match the thesis statement (topic) of your essay, or lack detail.
15
You have support paragraphs that give some detail and support the thesis statement.
20
You have detailed support paragraphs that clearly describe causes or effects in detail, are connected with paragraph transitions, and support the thesis.
Grammar and Spelling

15 points
5
You have many basic errors and you didn’t fix them.  You used only a few basic transition words, and cause / effect words.
15
You have several run-on sentences or grammar errors.  You used few cause / effect and transition words.
30
You may have 1-2 run-on sentences or grammar errors.  You used several cause / effect and transition words.
40
You have no run-on sentences or other grammar errors.  You used a variety of cause / effect and transition words.
Vocabulary

15 points
0
You used very basic words with no detail.
5
You used basic words with only a little detail and few words you’ve learned in this class.
10
You used some words you’ve learned in this class.
15
You used many words you’ve learned in this class.
Clarity

15 points
0
I can’t understand most of your paragraph, or you didn’t write about a trend.

5
I can’t understand 3-4 sentences.
7
Your writing is clear, but I can’t understand one sentence.
10
Your writing is very clear.  I can understand everything.


***After you hand in your paragraph to me, you will check your writing and complete a final draft. 
On your final draft, you may receive up to +10 points.