Writers like Julia Alvarez, Langston Hughes, and Amy Tan have used their literature to explore what it means to be an American. Consider your own thoughts about this topic.
Write a multi-paragraph essay that explains what you believe it means to be an American. Include examples from your own life to support your personal definition.
As you write, remember your essay will be scored based on how well you:
develop a multi-paragraph response to the assigned topic that clearly communicates your controlling idea to the audience.
support your controlling idea with meaningful examples, reasons, and information based upon your research or readings.
organize your essay in a clear and logical manner, including an introduction, body, and conclusion.
use well-structured sentences and language that are appropriate for your audience.
edit your work to conform to the conventions of standard American English.
Ideas
My topic is clear and focused
I provide accurate, important details to support my main ideas
I anticipate the readers’ questions and provide answers in my work
Organization
I have an inviting introduction, well-constructed paragraphs, and a satisfying conclusion
My work is organized sequentially, logically, and effectively
I use effective transitions throughout my work that make my meaning clear and help readers move through the text
Voice
My content and ideas–and the way I express them–match the purpose and audience
I use natural, engaging language
When someone reads this text, it will be clear to them that I care about and understand the topic
Word Choice
My words are specific and correctly used so my readers will know exactly what I mean
All of my words and phrases are natural, effective, and appropriate; some of them are also memorable and powerful
Sentence Fluency
My sentences are put together well and in a way that enhances the meaning
I use a variety of sentence lengths and structures in my work
When I read my work out loud, it flows well and has rhythm
Conventions
I have reviewed my spelling, capitalization, and punctuation for correctness
My grammar, paragraphing, and usage are correct and help me define my style while also communicating clearly
Presentation
The formatting suits the purpose of the work
I use the appropriate amount of white space on the page
I use appropriate fonts, font size, titles, and heading
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