Monthly Writing Project- August

This months writing project is focused on the genre of descriptive writing. You may write about whatever topic you likea favorite memory, an event that you are anticipating, a fiction piece, or anything else, so long as the focus is on being descriptive! Some tips for writing a strong descriptive essay: Utilize all of your senses in the piece. Show the story, dont just tell it! Use vivid verbs, as opposed to adjectives Be organized, develop a plot or storyline before sitting down to write. Paper Requirements: Paper must be typed, at least 1250 words, in Times New Roman font, with 1 inch margins on all sides. The work must be original and not used for any other class or writing endeavor. Work must be submitted to the scholars individual page on the class wiki. The essay will be assessed based on the rubric below.

Grading Rubric
5 points Introduction
The writer SHOWS the reader in the introductory sentence(s) The reader can SEE the setting, the author SHOWS, instead of TELLing

3 points
The writer attempts to SHOW the reader in the introductory sentence(s), but still does some telling Writer makes an attempt describe the setting, however the student may spend more time TELLing than SHOWing The writer shows reasonable control over a limited range of standard writing conventions

1 point
The writer TELLS the reader in the introductory sentence(s), no attempt at SHOWing present Writer makes no attempt to describe a setting

Setting

Conventions

The writer demonstrates a good grasp of standard writing conventions (e.g. spelling, punctuation, capitalization, grammar, usage, paragraphing) The writer demonstrates a strong command of verb usage as a method of describing within a piece of writing. Common verbs are replaced with less common synonyms, and the writer does not rely on adjectives to describe the situation. The writing has an easy flow, rhythm and cadence. The sentences vary in length and structure.

Verb Usage

Sentence Fluency

The writer demonstrates a developing command of verb usage as a method of describing within a piece of writing. Some common verbs are replaced with less common synonyms, and the writer uses adjectives sparingly. The text hums along with a steady beat, but tends to be more pleasant or businesslike than musical. Student attempts to vary length OR structure, but not both.

Errors in spelling, punctuation, capitalization, usage, and grammar, and/or paragraphing repeatedly distract the reader and make text difficult to read The writer overly relies on adjectives for their descriptions and makes no attempt to use less common verbs as a method of description.

The reader has to practice quite a bit in order to give this paper an interpretive reading. The sentences are repetitive, choppy, or incomplete