Mini Essay

Now that we are finishing our books, we are going to begin thinking about finding topics
to discuss which our books presented. Then we will research that topic to learn more. Below
youll find a prompt which asks you to discuss some of the topic you have chosen. Write a brief
essay answering the prompt. No more than a page. Be sure to study the rubric before writing, this
is what I will be looking for. In a sense, this is practice writing for your final essay which you
will write in a week.
Remember too, our discussions on how to write form earlier this semester. You dont
immediately begin writing. First develop a thesis an answer to the question below, and BE
SPECIFIC. Then create an outline, detailing what you will say in each paragraph. Once this is
done, begin your rough draft. One this is completed, edit, and rewrite.

Mid-Unit Mini Essay

How does a fiction text cause a reader to wonder about ideas? After reviewing your
Organizing Collecting Text Bookmarks handout, identify an idea that you came to during or
after reading your independent novel. In 1 page, explain how the work prompted your
thinking, using specific examples from the text. In addition, provide 1 to 2 examples from
current or historical events that illustrate the idea you are now interested in reading more
about. Explain how knowledge about this personally important idea will impact your own life.
(Oakland Schools 7)

Independent Reading Mini-Essay Rubric

Expectations and Standard Teacher Scoring and Feedback
Purpose The students writing answers a ____/10
specific question. The reader has
a clear sense of the authors
purpose and goal in writing. There
is a message which the student is
trying to convey

Demonstra The students writing clearly ____/20

tion of demonstrates they have read
Knowledge their text by directly referencing
and the text in the paper, and going
Thought beyond initial summary (i.e. there
is actual analysis). The writing
shows that the student thought
about what they were going to
write, prior to writing.
Supports The student supports their ____/20
Claims thinking with evidence or scenes
with from the text.
Evidence
Developme The student develops the topic ____/20
nt of Topic thoroughly by selecting the most
significant and relevant facts,
extended definitions, concrete
details, quotations, or other
information and examples
appropriate to the audiences
knowledge of the topic.

Clarity The students writing is clear and ____/10

coherent. The reader can understand
what the student is communicating
without confusion. The students
development, organization, and style
are appropriate to the task, purpose,
and audience, so that the reader is
left with a clear understanding of the
students message.

Academic The student uses an academic _____/10

Language language. The writing is free of
colloquial expressions or informal
language. The student does not write
in catch phrases, or slang. The
student selects words carefully and
avoids language which is vague,
unspecific, or is inaccurate to what
they are trying to communicate.

Writing The student uses the proper writing _____/10

Conventio techniques including proper
grammar, punctuation, voice, style,
ns transitionary statements, and usage
of Standard American English, and
there is an obvious flow to the paper.