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Grade 9 Performance Task English 9B Unit 6 Common Assessment: Argument Essay

Over the next four weeks, you will be researching a controversial issue and writing an argument essay
about a human rights, technology, or a topic of your choice. Each week you will complete a small piece of
the larger task, resulting in a full length essay and works cited by the end of Week 4.

Student Directions for Week 1

During the first week, you will choose one of four research topics after brainstorming. You may choose to
continue your study of your topic from first semester or you may choose a new topic.

Your tasks for Week 1

1. Choose a Topic for research (human rights, technology, or a topic of your choice with your
teacher’s permission) and provide a claim.
2. Write research questions that will help provide focus for your research.

Steps to follow
In order to choose your topic, you will:
1. Consider the research opportunities available within that topic. How would you narrow your focus?
What information would you seek in other sources?
2. Select one of the topics, provide your claim, and submit your choice to your teacher.

Student Directions for Weeks 2-3

During the second and third week, you will gather print and media sources, assess the credibility of them,
and take notes. You will also gather the bibliographic information for each source.

Your tasks for Weeks 2-3:

1. Gather four print sources (encyclopedia and Internet) and two multimedia sources
2. Assess the credibility of each source
3. Take notes in order develop relevant and sufficient facts
4. Gather the bibliographic information for your works cited page.

Steps to follow:
1. Go to the library/lab to access print and media sources. You need 4 print sources and 2 media
sources.
2. For each source, you need to assess its credibility based upon the criterion given to you by your
teacher. Complete the source credibility worksheet/questions for each source.
3. For each source, take notes that will help you write your essay in a few weeks.

Student Directions for Week 4

During week four, you will write an introduction paragraph for your argument essay. You will also
finalize and submit your works cited page.

Your tasks for Week 4:

1. Write an introduction with a thesis statement using at least three of your resources.
2. Create a works cited for all 6 of your sources.
3. Turn your works cited in MLA format in to your teacher.

Steps to follow:
1. Write an introduction paragraph that includes the following:
a. Identification of the claims and counterclaims
b. a thesis that establishes your claim
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Grade 9 Performance Task English 9B Unit 6 Common Assessment: Argument Essay
2. Create a works cited in MLA format using all of your six sources.
3. Submit your works cited to your teacher.

Student Directions for Weeks 5-6

Using evidence from at least three of your sources, write a multiparagraph
argument essay to support
claims using valid reasoning and relevant, sufficient evidence.

Your tasks for Weeks 5-6:

1. Edit your introduction.
2. Write body paragraphs that integrate your sources to maintain the flow of ideas
i. Use transitions for cohesion
ii. Effectively integrate quotations
iii. Use precise language
iv. Use a formal tone
3. Write a conclusion paragraph that supports the information you presented
4. Format the essay in MLA format

Steps to follow:
1. Type your introduction from last week, making an necessary revisions.
2. Determine how many body paragraphs you need and write topic sentences for them.
3. Organize your body paragraphs by deciding which pieces of evidence you will use to support
your topic sentences from your notes/sources.
4. Integrate the evidence with your own words.
5. Write concluding sentences for each body paragraph.
6. Write a conclusion paragraph by restating your thesis and connecting the information you
presented to our modern society.
7. Format your essay in MLA format, including your citations for your sources.
8. Turn your essay in to your teacher.

Topic Selection Name:

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Grade 9 Performance Task English 9B Unit 6 Common Assessment: Argument Essay

What do I want to know How can I narrow this What questions can I
about this topic? I topic down? What ask about this topic?
would like to research subtopics are within
this topic because… this topic?

Technology

Human Rights

Other

I have chosen the following topic:

Because

Evaluating Internet Resources: Some General Rules

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Grade 9 Performance Task English 9B Unit 6 Common Assessment: Argument Essay
- Any site that displays pop-ups is probably problematic
- '.com' sites are, in some way, shape, or form, probably trying to make money
- '.org' sites are run by an organization... who are they? what are their goals, biases, etc.?
- '.edu' are education sites... be careful because they will host staff and student web pages
- '.net' are simply network providers and anyone can post anything
- '.gov' are government sites; reliability is probably very high (but... X Files!)
- The ~tilde~ means the page is created by a personal user of the system and not necessarily sanctioned by the
owner of the site.

Evaluate by Authority:
● Who is the author of the document or web site?
● Are his/her affiliations and qualifications given?
● Is there contact information (address, phone number, email)?
● Who is the publisher or sponsoring organization? Is there a link to their home page?
● What is the relationship between the author and the sponsor/publisher?
● Is it a personal home page or institutionally sanctioned? (Hint: A /~name/ in the URL indicates a
personal home page. Be aware, however, that this does not necessarily mean the information is less
authoritative, but it's something to keep an eye out for, especially if you're already in doubt.)
Note: Sometimes you can "cut back" the URL of the site to find out more information about who the authors or
sponsors are, but this won't always work. This means you go into the location box and delete everything after the
last slash in the URL, then press enter. You can keep doing this until you reach the host (first part of the address). In
the example above, cutting back gets you to a page that tells you all about the author, & even has a picture.

Evaluate by Accuracy: (How does it compare with what you already know?)
● Is the information valid, reliable, and trustworthy?
● Has it been edited? (Are proper grammar & spelling used?)
● Are the facts checked?
● Does it document sources of information used?
● Are there links to any of those sources?
● Is it verifiable? (Check other sources and compare.)

Evaluate by Currency:
● Is the document dated regarding when it was created and last revised?
● Are there outdated links?
● Are there pointers to older or newer information?
● Are the references listed current?

Evaluate by Content/Coverage:
● What's included?
● Does it contain original information, or just links to other sources?
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Grade 9 Performance Task English 9B Unit 6 Common Assessment: Argument Essay
● What formats of information are included?
● For what level is the information written?
● Is the information unique or is it duplicated in other sources?
● Does the information have real value?

Evaluate by Objectivity:
● Why are the author and publisher providing you with this information? Be aware that most people have
an agenda.
● Is the information biased? Is it designed to sway opinion? From who's perspective is it given?
● Are they advertising or trying to sell you something?
● Is the site sponsored by the government or an educational institution, or a company or organization?
● (Hint: look for the domain name at the end of the address, e.g., .edu, .gov, .com, .net, or .org.)

Evaluate by Access
● Are there particular software or hardware requirements?
● Is it formatted only for a certain browser or is there alternate textonly access?
● Does it take a long time to load?
● Is the site stable or is it often down or too busy to access?
● Is it free or are there fees charged?
● Do you have to register in order to use the site, even if it is free?

Evaluate by Design/Appearance
● Does it make good use of screen layout, colors, graphics, etc.?
● Has it been proofread?
● Is it easy to read & navigate?
● Is it arranged clearly, logically, and usefully?
Ask yourself if the site-makers seem more concerned about appearance or content?
Ask if they can't present information in a logical manner that makes sense, how much credibility is there? (the
answer may vary)