Explanations
Standard |
No Evidence |
Beginning |
Developing |
Proficient |
Excellent |
Mastering |
C-3. Explanations Explain a topic with knowledge and examples |
No evidence of explaining a topic |
Your explanation addresses the topic |
You accurately inform the reader about the topic using some scientific vocabulary and examples |
You inform the reader about the topic using well organized and accurate scientific knowledge, appropriate scientific vocabulary, academic voice, and appropriate examples |
Your work is proficient and your presentation is excellent. |
Your work is excellent and you add depth by applying the knowledge in new ways, introducing new examples, or making connections outside of the uni |
A Good Explanation
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An Excellent Explanation
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Go Above & Beyond
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The purpose of an explanation is to inform the reader about a topic using scientific knowledge and helpful examples. It follows a general sandwich format.
Organization
Topic: introduce the topic with a topic sentence
Details: describe the details of this topic using scientific knowledge and appropriate examples. Ending: conclude your paragraph with an ending sentence You should brainstorm the details before writing your paragraph. There are organization strategies that can be useful for describing relationships and using examples. |
Strategies
Sequencing
Sequences are stories that you tell about the topic. A sequence can be an order of events, movements, actions, or things that follow one after another through time. Sequencing is great for procedures.
Determining the identity of an unknown substance can be achieved by examining it's physical and chemical properties. First, note the physical properties of the substance by observing and measuring properties like density, freezing temperature, and melting temperature. Next, note the chemical properties by testing it's reaction to acids and bases.
Determining the identity of an unknown substance can be achieved by examining it's physical and chemical properties. First, note the physical properties of the substance by observing and measuring properties like density, freezing temperature, and melting temperature. Next, note the chemical properties by testing it's reaction to acids and bases.
Compare & Contrast
When using the strategy of compare and contrast, you will explain how two or more things are similar and how they are different. A Venn diagram can be a good organizational strategy when brainstorming.
[Compare] Physical properties can be observed without changing the identity of the substance, while chemical properties cannot. [Contrast] Both physical and chemical properties are used to describe the substance in a way that is useful and understandable to other scientists. |
Cause & Effect
The strategy of cause and effect describes the relationship between two or more things. It explains how one variable causes the other.
[Cause] When a substance is mixed with an acid or base, or lit on fire, [effect] it may cause a reaction. If this happens, then a chemical property has been discovered. |