8th Grade English

Quarter 2 Classification
Name:

Class Period:

Date:

Writing Prompt:
Write a classification essay, 5 or 6 paragraphs, that:
1) identifies the main categories of a topic 2) explains the categories, using clear and interesting details, and 3)
is organized by category.
(Ref: Write Source pp. 161-193 & Plagiarism WebQuest)

W.8.2b
Develop the topic with
relevant, well-chosen facts,
and sufficient facts, definitions,
concrete details, quotations. or
other information and
examples
W.8.2d
Use precise language and
domain-specific vocabulary to
inform or explain the topic.

W.8.2e
Establish and maintain a formal
style of writing.

Organizatio
(Intro)
n

Organization(Body)
nOrganizatio)(Conclusion

W.8.2f
Provide a concluding statement
or section that follows form and
supports the information or
explanation presented.

Information is
effectively organized.

Ideas

W.8.2a
Organize ideas and concepts
into broader categories
W.8.2c Use appropriate and
varied transitions to create
cohesion and clarify the
relationships among ideas and
concepts.

Distinguished
The introduction is
compelling, states
thesis, and provides
context and
background.
(10-9)

ChoiceWord

W.8.2a
Introduce a topic, clearly
previewing what is to follow

Trait

Voice

Standard

Proficient

Basic

Approaching

Score

The introduction states The introduction states The introduction does

thesis and provides
thesis but does not
not clearly state thesis
context or background.
include context or
or include context or
background.
background.
(9-8)
(6-0)
(8-7)
/10

Transitions link ideas

and clarify
relationships.

Information is
effectively organized.

Some information is
effectively organized.

Transitions link ideas or Transitions are included

clarify relationships.
but unsuccessful.
(18-16)

(16-14)

Information is not
effectively organized.
Transitions are not
included.
(13-0)

(20-18)
/20
The conclusion
is strong; restates
thesis, synthesizes
main ideas, and
creates closure.
(10-9)

The conclusion is clear

The conclusion is
The conclusion is
and concise; restates
recognizable and
missing or does not
thesis and some main
includes thesis but
include thesis or main
ideas.
leaves the reader with
ideas.
questions.
(9-8)
(8-7)
(6-0)

/10
Well-chosen facts,
Well-chosen facts,
Facts, details, and
Facts, details, and
details, examples, and details, and examples information are present information are unclear
quotes give the reader
give the reader
but inadequate.
or missing.
important information important information.
and insight.
(9-8)
(8-7)
(6-0)
(10-9)
Writer consistently
Writer occasionally
Writer rarely
uses precise language uses precise language uses precise language
and specific
and specific
and specific
vocabulary.
vocabulary.
vocabulary.
(10-9)

(9-8)

Writer consistently
Writer occasionally
uses formal language uses formal language
and third person voice. and third person voice.
(10-9)
(9-8)

(8-7)
Writer rarely uses
formal language and
third person voice.
(8-7)

/10

Writer uses limited

language and
vocabulary, including
slang and/or clichs.
(6-0)
/10
Writer does not use
formal language or
third person.
(6-0)

/10

W.8.8
Avoid plagiarism and follow a
standard format for citations

8 English 6/29/12
th

StructureSentence
Conventio
ns

L.8.2
Demonstrate command of the
conventions of standard English
capitalization, punctuation, and
spelling when writing

DocumentatiMLA Format
on
and

W.8.4
Produce clear and coherent
writing in which the
development, organization, and style are
appropriate to task, purpose,
and audience

All sentences are

skillfully written with
varied structure.

Most sentences are

skillfully written with
varied structure.

Sentences are wellconstructed but lack

variety.

Sentences lack
structure or variety.

(10-9)

(9-8)

(8-7)

(6-0)

/10
Writer makes few
errors in capitalization,
punctuation, spelling,
and grammar.
(10-9)

Writer makes
some errors in
capitalization,
punctuation,
and spelling.
(9-8)

Multiple errors in
Significant errors in
capitalization, spelling, capitalization, spelling,
and punctuation
and punctuation
distract the reader. prevent understanding.
(8-7)
(6-0)

/10

Writer uses proper MLA Writer uses proper MLA Writer uses proper MLA Writer attempts to use
format with no errors.
format with some
format with multiple
proper MLA format.
errors.
errors.
(10-9)

(9-8)

(6-0)

(8-7)

/10

/100