Record your ten open-ended research questions here. Find sources that will answer at least five of your ten open-ended research questions and enter the source information, as well as the open-ended question(s) that it answers.

Write an informative essay of at least 500 words on one of the topics specified in the "Directions" section: either a topic concerning sea life or a social condition or historical event of the early 1800s.

All of your sources should be correctly cited, using the MLA format for in-text citations and providing a works-cited list. Click here to view the MLA Style Guide.

Rubric
Criteria Points Possible 20 11-19 6-10 0-5 Points Earned
Ideas & Content
Main theme
Supporting details
20 Clear, focused, interesting ideas with appropriate detail Evident main idea with some support which may be general or limited Main idea may be unclear; supporting detail is vague or off topic Central idea or theme is not stated; supporting detail may be non-existent
Organization
Structure
Introduction
Conclusion
20 Strong organization; seamless paragraph transitions; effective and engaging intro and conclusion Organization is appropriate but conventional; attempt at introduction and conclusion Attempts at organization, inappropriate use of lists or bullets; introduction and conclusion are not developed No introduction or conclusion; no clear organizational framework or transitions
Word Choice
Precision
Effectiveness
Imagery
20 Broad range of descriptive words; creative examples with vivid details and images Language is functional and appropriate; descriptions may lack detail or be overdone Words may be correct but simplistic; no attempt at detail, description, or examples Word choice is limited, words are often misused, supporting detail and examples are non-existent
Sentence Fluency
Variety
Cohesion
20 Good variety in length and structure; ideas are linked together smoothly; transitions are clear and purposeful. Sentences are appropriate but lack variety and length; ideas are linked; transitions are evident. Similar patterns and choppy language; an attempt was made to link ideas; transitions are abrupt. Sentences are incomplete or difficult to follow, language is confusing; ideas are not linked together; transitions are missing.
Conventions
Age appropriate spelling, caps, punctuation, grammar
20 Strong use of correct conventions; errors are few and minor Most writing conventions correct; occasional high profile errors Frequent errors; most do not interfere with readability Frequent errors interfere with readability
100