ALEX Learning Activity

Compare and Contrast Essay: Writing Prompt & Rubric

A Learning Activity is a strategy a teacher chooses to actively engage students in learning a concept or skill using a digital tool/resource.

  This learning activity provided by:  
Author: Jessica Byrd
System:Butler County
School:Butler County Board Of Education
  General Activity Information  
Activity ID: 2832
Title:
Compare and Contrast Essay: Writing Prompt & Rubric
Digital Tool/Resource:
Compare and Contrast Essay: Writing Prompt & Rubric
Web Address – URL:
Overview:

This resource includes a writing prompt and a rubric. The activity focuses on expository writing with a compare and contrast structure. The document includes space for students to compose their essays inside the resource. A rubric is provided to students for self-assessment.

This activity was created as a result of the ALEX Resource Development Summit.

  Associated Standards and Objectives  
Content Standard(s):
English Language Arts
ELA2021 (2021)
Grade: 8
8. Produce clear, coherent narrative, argument, and informative/explanatory writing in which the development, organization, style, and tone are relevant to task, purpose, and audience, using an appropriate command of language.

a. Write narratives that establish a clear purpose, use narrative techniques, and sequence events coherently.

Examples: narratives - memoir, short story, personal narrative; techniques - dialogue, pacing, description, reflection;
sequencing - chronological, reverse chronological, flashback

b. Write informative or explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas or processes effectively, by developing the topic with relevant information or data from credible sources and using appropriate transitions and precise vocabulary.

c. Write an argument to defend a position by introducing and supporting a claim, distinguishing the claim from opposing claims, presenting counterclaims and reasons, and citing accurate, relevant textual evidence from credible sources.
Learning Objectives:

Students will be able to compose an objective expository essay that compares and contrasts two similar subjects with a logical organizational structure.

Students will be able to use transitions to communicate a message clearly and effectively.

Students will be able to correctly follow language conventions to clearly communicate a message. 

Students will be able to provide relevant, credible information to support and develop their message.

  Strategies, Preparations and Variations  
Phase:
After/Explain/Elaborate
Activity:

1. The teacher will share the Compare and Contrast Essay resource with students by either adding it to their digital classroom or sharing it directly through email.

2. Students will be prompted to make a copy of the resource.

3. The teacher will explain the writing prompt to the students.

4. The teacher should review the rubric with the students before they begin writing.

5. The students should be given time to plan, draft, and revise their work.

6. The teacher will grade student work using the attached rubric and return it to students. It is suggested that teachers provide additional feedback in the document where appropriate.

Assessment Strategies:

A rubric is included within the resource. This rubric will assess the following learning objectives:

Students will be able to compose an objective expository essay that compares and contrasts two similar subjects with a logical organizational structure.

Students will be able to use transitions to communicate a message clearly and effectively.

Students will be able to correctly follow language conventions to clearly communicate a message. 

Students will be able to provide relevant, credible information to support and develop their message.


Advanced Preparation:

Students should have been exposed to instruction on the main components of an expository essay and the writing process before completing this activity. The teacher will need to share the resource with students either by adding it to their digital classroom or by sharing it with students directly via email. 

Variation Tips (optional):

The resource can be adapted for use with a variety of expository writing prompts. The resource may also be used as a pre-assessment before teaching an expository writing unit. 

Notes or Recommendations (optional):

This resource can be printed for pencil and paper use. 

Although this resource focuses specifically on expository writing, [ELA2021](8) 8b, it could easily be adapted to work with persuasive writing, [ELA2021](8) 8c.

Corresponding activities are available here--

Expository Writing: Expand Vocabulary

Compare and Contrast Essay: Writing Lab

  Keywords and Search Tags  
Keywords and Search Tags: compare, contrast, ELA202188b, essay, expository, informational, organization, prompt, rubric, transitions, write, writing