Africa Writing Assessment – Cross-Categorical Persuasive Essay
You will be working collaboratively with Mr Jakob and Mrs Cappa on a social studies/language arts project. (instead of writing a paper for LA and a paper for social studies, you only have to write 1!) You will be graded on conventions and writing for a grade in Language Arts and you will be graded on content and factual information in social studies. Persuasive argumentation will be part of your grade in both classes. Two separate rubrics will be used.
Many European explorers traveled to Africa and were surprised by what they found. Their comments may be very strange to you.
Mr Explorer made the claim,
“Look at this place! The natives live like savages. This is an unsophisticated continent that needs European intervention. These people lack culture of any kind!”
You know after studying the cultures of Africa that this is incorrect, but it will take a lot to convince Mr Explorer. You will write a persuasive essay convincing Mr Explorer and those who share his view that the African continent is full of advanced cultures. You will use evidence from our Social Studies unit and compare and contrast Africa to something that Mr Explorer can relate to: European culture.
Your social studies grade will be determined by the following rubric:
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1 |
2 |
3 |
|---|---|---|---|
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Africa Facts |
Each paragraph has only 1 or 2 facts from our Africa chapters |
Each paragraph has about 2 relevant facts from our Africa chapters |
Each paragraph includes at least 3 developed, relevant facts from our Africa chapters |
|
Understanding of Facts |
The facts do know indicate that the writer understands their true significance |
The use of the facts does not show complete understanding of the relevance of the issues |
The use of the facts is aligned with the argument and shows understanding |
|
European Facts |
0-1 connections are made or author fails to compare and contrast Africa with Europe |
Only 1 or 2 connections are made comparing and contrasting Africa with Europe |
At least 3 connections are made comparing and contrasting Africa with Europe |
|
Persuasive Aspect |
The facts do not convince the audience that African culture exists |
The facts somewhat convince the audience of African Culture |
Facts are used to adequately convince the audience of advanced African Culture |