Assessment Tools

Shows that you can organize, analyze and

communicate information effectively and accurately.

CONTEXT OR PURPOSE:
Your purpose for informing on this topic is clear. Your writing does not just repeat facts but gives a strong point of view on a social studies topic and concept.

• Your purpose gives the reader direction from the beginning and is a thread throughout the report.
• You analyze and reflect on the information and give your own judgment.
• You write like an authority on the topic, using the exact language of the social studies.

ORGANIZATION:
The manner and the order in which you present your information make it easy for people to understand your thoughts.

• Your opening is clear and makes people want to read more.
• Your information is accurate and related to the specific time and place of the topic.
• The order of your work and your transitions make it easy for people to understand your thinking. (Creative patterns are fine as long as they are understandable!)
• Your conclusion is based on the information in your report and gives the reader a deeper understanding of important social studies concept(s).

ELABORATION/CREATIVITY:
Your writing shows appropriate and creative use of language. It shows deep thinking about the information.

• You present your ideas in various ways: describe, compare, contrast, use examples, use quotes, tell historical stories, review history, and so on.
• You write in an entertaining way, avoiding a list of dry facts.
• The way you use information shows you really thought about important social studies concept(s).
• You may have come up with a new way of looking at people, cultures or societies: ideas you created, not just ones you read about.

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