Deep Sea Modified Writing Rubric
MODIFIED
PROCESS WRITING | 4-Paragraph Rubric
Unit 2: Opinion Essay
Name: ___________________________ Date: ______________ 4 Paragraphs Total
Prompt: Write a 4-paragraph opinion essay about why humans should or should not explore the deep sea. Support your reasons with evidence from Deep, Deep Down and at least one other unit text.
My Mission: State an opinion, write 2 body paragraphs with text evidence, and sum it up!
Read • Check • Write
| Category | Writing Skill | What to Look For & Helpful Starters |
|---|
| | |
| Thinking & Ideas | | |
Evidence from 2 texts
|
1. Evidence: 2 Texts
Describe key details
|
I include details from Deep, Deep Down AND one other unit text to prove my points.
Starter: "In Deep, Deep Down, the author shows that..."
|
|
2. Opinion & Reasons
Evidence & elaboration
|
I connect my text evidence directly to why humans should or should not explore.
Starter: "This detail proves humans [should / should not] explore because..."
|
|
Organization
4-paragraph structure
|
3. Paragraph 1: Intro
Hook & clear claim
|
Starts with a hook and clearly states my opinion claim about deep sea exploration.
Claim Starter: "In my opinion, humans [should / should not] explore the deep sea."
|
|
4. Paragraph 2: Body 1
Reason 1 + Text 1
|
Topic sentence with Reason #1 + cited facts from Deep, Deep Down + sum-up line.
Starter: "One reason humans [should/should not] explore is..."
|
|
5. Paragraph 3: Body 2
Reason 2 + Text 2
|
Topic sentence with Reason #2 + cited evidence from another unit text + sum-up line.
Starter: "Another important reason is... According to [Text 2]..."
|
|
6. Paragraph 4: End
Conclusion section
|
Restates the opinion using fresh words and ends with a concluding final thought.
Starter: "All in all, exploring the deep ocean is [necessary / too dangerous] because..."
|
|
Language
Transitions & grammar
|
7. Linking Words
Sentence fluency
|
I use transition words to link ideas: because, for example, therefore, in addition, also.
|
|
8. Deep Sea Words
Word choice
|
I use unit vocabulary correctly: explore, discover, submarine, trench, pressure, creature.
|
|
9. Conventions
Mechanics & spelling
|
Starts each sentence with a capital letter, uses end marks (. ! ?), and checks spelling.
|
253a UNIT 2 | Into the Deep
Modified 4-Paragraph Process Rubric • Student Reference Guide
Page 1 of 2
SESSION 28
PROCESS WRITING | 4-Paragraph Scoring Guide
Publish • Grade 3/4
Writing Skill
⭐⭐⭐ 3 PTS
Got It! (Proficient)
⭐⭐ 2 PTS
Almost! (Developing)
⭐ 1 PT
Starting (Emerging)
Self Check
1. Evidence from 2 Texts Deep, Deep Down + 2nd text
Accurately cites details from Deep, Deep Down AND a second unit text.
Cites facts from only 1 text, or details from the second text are vague.
Attempts to share a fact with teacher guidance.
2. Paragraph 1: Intro Hook & clear claim
Has an interesting hook and clearly states opinion about exploring the deep sea.
Has an intro, but hook is missing or opinion sounds like a plain fact.
Jumps into reasons without an introduction paragraph.
3. Paragraph 2: Body 1 Reason 1 + Deep, Deep Down
Topic sentence states Reason 1 with clear evidence from Deep, Deep Down.
Has Reason 1, but evidence from the book is missing or incomplete.
Reason is unclear or text evidence is absent.
4. Paragraph 3: Body 2 Reason 2 + 2nd Unit Text
Topic sentence states Reason 2 with clear evidence from a second unit text.
Combines reasons into one paragraph or misses the 2nd text.
Missing second body paragraph.
5. Paragraph 4: End Restate opinion & wrap up
Restates the opinion in new words and finishes strong.
Has a short ending, but repeats the intro sentence word-for-word.
Essay stops abruptly with no concluding paragraph.
6. Linking Words because, for example, also
Uses 2 or more linking words to connect reasons and proof.
Uses only 1 linking word or relies only on "and".
Ideas feel disconnected without transition words.
7. Ocean Words explore, discover, trench
Uses 2+ deep sea vocabulary words accurately.
Uses 1 vocabulary word; uses mostly general terms.
Does not use unit vocabulary words.
8. Conventions Capitals, periods, spelling
Starts with capital letters; uses end marks; words are readable.
Some missing capitals or punctuation, but meaning is still clear.
Frequent errors make sentences hard to read.
Deep Sea Word Bank
explore discover pressure trench submarine
Linking Words
because for example one reason in addition
Teacher / Peer Notes
Total Score: _____ / 24 • Notes:
© Curriculum Associates, LLC (Adapted for Student Differentiation)
MODULE 4 | Process Writing | Publish
253b Session 28
Deep Sea Planning Organizer
STEP 1: PLAN
PROCESS WRITING | Opinion Essay Organizer
Unit 2: Into the Deep
Name: ___________________________ Date: ______________ 4-Paragraph Planning Sheet
Prompt: Write a 4-paragraph opinion essay about why humans should or should not explore the deep sea. Support your reasons with evidence from Deep, Deep Down and at least one other unit text.
Choose Your Stance:
YES, humans should explore NO, humans should not explore
PARAGRAPH 1 Introduction: Hook & Opinion Claim
Grab the reader + state your side
Part A: Choose or write a "Hook" sentence:
Question Hook: "Have you ever wondered what mysterious creatures live in the ocean depths?"
Surprise Fact: "The deep sea has giant pressure and pitch-black darkness, yet life still survives."
Part B: State your clear Opinion Claim:
Sentence Frame: In my opinion, humans [should / should not] explore the deep sea because...
PARAGRAPH 2 Body Paragraph 1: First Reason + Evidence from Deep, Deep Down
Book #1 Evidence
Reason #1 (Topic Sentence): Starter: "One big reason humans [should/should not] explore is..."
Text Evidence from Deep, Deep Down: Starter: "According to Deep, Deep Down, ..."
Explain: Starter: "This detail proves that..."
UNIT 2 | Into the Deep
Modified 4-Paragraph Opinion Organizer • Scaffolds & Sentence Frames
Page 1 of 2 (Turn Over)
STEP 1: PLAN
PROCESS WRITING | Opinion Organizer (Continued)
Paragraphs 3 & 4
Student Name: ___________________________ Continue your 4-paragraph plan below
PARAGRAPH 3 Body Paragraph 2: Second Reason + Evidence from Second Unit Text
Book #2 Evidence
Title of Second Unit Text:
Reason #2 (Topic Sentence): Starter: "In addition, another reason is..."
Text Evidence from Second Text: Starter: "In this text, the author explains that..."
Explain: Starter: "This shows why humans [should / should not] explore..."
PARAGRAPH 4 Conclusion: Restate Opinion & Final Thought
Finish strong
Restate your opinion in different words: Starter: "All in all, I believe..."
Final Thought or Call to Action: Starter: "For these reasons, scientists..."
