SUGGESTED TIME:
1 class period to introduce the assignment and for students to begin research
RELATED SUBJECT:
English Language Arts
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
- Conduct a short research project to find three articles about a philosopher of interest covered in the book Introducing the Enlightenment: A Graphic Guide, written by Lloyd Spencer and illustrated by Andrzej Krauze.
- Write an informative text that examines the topic and conveys ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
- Prohuman Grade 8 Unit 4 Worksheet 3: Writing an Informative Text
ELA COMMON CORE STANDARDS MET
Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas,
concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and
analysis of relevant content.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.8.2.A
Introduce a topic clearly, previewing what is to follow; organize ideas,
concepts, and information into broader categories; include formatting
(e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., charts, tables), and multimedia when
useful to aiding comprehension.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.8.2.B
Develop the topic with relevant, well-chosen facts, definitions, concrete
details, quotations, or other information and examples.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.8.2.C
Use appropriate and varied transitions to create cohesion and clarify the
relationships among ideas and concepts.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.8.2.D
Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or
explain the topic.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.8.2.E
Establish and maintain a formal style.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.8.2.F
Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports
the information or explanation presented.
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization,
and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience
Conduct short research projects to answer a question (including a
self-generated question), drawing on several sources and generating
additional related, focused questions that allow for multiple avenues of
exploration.
Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, using
search terms effectively; assess the credibility and accuracy of each
source; and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while
avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation.
Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis,
reflection, and research.
Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection,
and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two)
for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and
usage when writing or speaking.
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
CHARACTER AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL (CSED) NATIONAL STANDARDS MET
Intellectual Character A2
Identify individuals, fiction and real, past and present, who exemplify
the different intellectual character strengths in a concrete and
compelling manner
Intellectual Character A3
Recognize and understand why the intellectual character strengths are not
innate (something you are born with) but can be developed with practice
and support
Demonstrate respect for other people’s opinions and perspectives
LESSON PROCEDURE
- Explain that students will write an informative text.
- First, students will choose a philosopher that interests them from the book read earlier in this unit: Introducing the Enlightenment: A Graphic Guide, written by Lloyd Spencer and illustrated by Andrzej Krauze.
- Second, students will choose one of the philosopher's ideas that interests them.
- Third, students will conduct research to find three sources about this idea.
- Fourth, students will write an informative text that conveys information about the philosopher’s idea, from the three sources.
- The grading criteria are listed on the worksheet, and students’ informative texts will be shared with three classmates for peer review.
GRADE 8 UNIT 3 WORKSHEET 3: WRITING AN INFORMATIVE TEXT
- First, choose a philosopher that interests you from the book read earlier in this unit: Introducing the Enlightenment: A Graphic Guide, written by Lloyd Spencer and illustrated by Andrzej Krauze.
- Second, choose one of the philosopher's ideas that interests you.
- Third, conduct research to find three sources about this idea.
- Fourth, write an informative text that conveys information about the philosopher’s idea from the three sources.
Note: Your text will be shared with three classmates for peer review.
-
The informative texts will be graded on the following criteria:
-
Meets the length requirement of at least 2-3 pages.
-
Includes at least 3 sources with a list of sources at the end.
-
Examines a topic and conveys ideas, concepts, and information through
the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
-
Introduces a topic clearly, previewing what is to follow.
-
Organizes ideas, concepts, and information, using strategies such as
definition, classification, comparison/contrast, and cause/effect.
-
Includes formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., charts, tables),
and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.
-
Develops the topic with relevant facts, definitions, concrete details,
quotations, or other information and examples.
-
Uses appropriate transitions to create cohesion and clarify the
relationships among ideas and concepts.
-
Uses precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or
explain the topic.
- Establishes and maintains a formal style.
- Provides a concluding statement or section.
-
Demonstrates command of the conventions of standard English grammar,
usage, capitalization, punctuation, and spelling.
Prohuman K-12 Curriculum © 2025 by Prohuman Foundation is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0.
To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
