Artifact Study Assignment

We have now spent some time exploring the concept of worldview through discussion,
note-taking, and a simulated archeological dig. Now, using the knowledge and
understanding you have gained, you must find an artifact that reflects the worldview of ONE
of the elements of we have explored:

 View of human nature

 View of the good life
 Equality with others
 Responsibility to others
 Relationship between individual and the state
 Relationship of humans with nature
 Sources of ethical wisdom

Once you have chosen an artifact, please write a two-paragraph piece to be submitted on
Monday, September 27th. The piece should use the following format:

The first paragraph will describe the artifact using the “Show, Don’t Tell” technique we have
already explored. Draw on our previous writing assignments to make your writing vividly
descriptive. Remember to use appropriate adjectives, similes, metaphors, and rich detail to
achieve this.

The second paragraph will require you to think critically in order to explain and support
your connection to one of the worldview components. DO NOT TRY TO MAKE A
CONNECTION WITH MORE THAN ONE COMPONENT! Your task is to make RICH, INSIGHTFUL
AND WELL-DEVELOPED connections between your artifact and ONE of the elements above.
In this paragraph, your focus shifts from “showing” to “explaining.”

When you are finished put both paragraphs along with a picture of your artifact into a
Pages document.

Refer to the following rubric for how you will be assessed on this project. This assignment
will go towards both your inquiry and communication mark. Draw on the strategies for
success within each area to enhance and improve your analysis and description.
 Descriptive 1 2 3 4 Strategies for success
paragraph 1
There is a total Only in two or three Many examples of There is an exceptional and -Circle boring adjectives and replace
Descriptive/ absence of words that instances are words descriptive consistent use of adjectives. them with more creative ones
figurative creatively and found that language can be Rich descriptive language in -Where there is a lack of description add
language imaginatively provide creatively and found. There are each sentence creates a more detail and descriptively rich
vivid descriptions. imaginatively several examples of textured and vivid description. language
No evidence of provide vivid strong figurative Consistent and appropriate use -Use powerful adverb/verb
figurative language. descriptions. There language but it is of figurative language and combinations (e.g. the garbage was
is very little sometimes details create a vivid image in thrown (verb) carelessly (adverb) onto
evidence of confusing or the reader’s mind. the floor)
figurative language overdone Details -Link the thing you are describing to a
and details are are fairly strong. vivid image people can relate to using
weak. metaphor simile (e.g. The ___ looked
like… The ___ was a ______)
Grammar, The piece is riddled A number of A few minor The piece is free of all -Have a parent or older sibling/friend
conventions and with grammatical grammatical errors grammatical errors grammatical errors; transitions PROOFREAD your writing
fluidity errors making it are present that are present but they are consistently used to -Write your piece, take a break and then
incomprehensible; no detract from do not detract from connect ideas and create flow come back to it, re-reading every line for
transitions are used to communication; communication; from one idea to the next. grammar and flow.
connect ideas; the few or no some transitions are -Read your piece aloud (why not record
piece is choppy and transitions are used used to connect it?)
has no flow. to connect ideas; ideas, but the piece
the piece is choppy lacks flow.
and has little flow.
Expository
paragraph 2
Depth of insight No connection is A simple A good connection A deep and rich connection or -Make a clear statement or claim as to
made to any of the 7 connection to one is made to one of insight is made to one of the 7 what this artifact can tell us about a
elements of WV. of the 7 elements of the 7 elements of elements of WV. specific element of worldview.
WV is unclear. WV, but it is -Use one of the following sentence
predictable and frames:
unimaginative. This artifact can tell us about our
(insert 1/7 elements of worldview).
Specifically, it suggests that…
This artifact reflects (insert 1/7 elements
of worldview) and tells us that…
This artifact suggests that… and
portrays
(insert 1/7 elements of worldview) .
Supporting No explanation is Little explanation is Explanation is Explanation is well developed -Explain ideas presented in opening
evidence/ developed. developed with present but it lacks using strong supporting details claim/statement
justification little or no rich supporting and evidence from the artifact -Define and explain any key
supporting details details and evidence words/concepts you introduce in
drawn from from the artifact opening
evidence from the -Use transitions, e.g. by this I mean;
artifact. Specifically, Further
-Provide clear and specific examples
drawn from the artifact
Clarity of The paragraph is The paragraph lacks The paragraph is The paragraph is clear, -Do more with less; don’t go off on long
communication unclear, concise, and clarity, is not very relatively clear and concise, and flows logically tangents; be short and sweet
does not flow concise, and there is concise but may and smoothly between ideas. -Make sure explanation and ideas are
logically and little flow between lack flow between clearly linked and build upon each other
smoothly between ideas. ideas. -Use transitions to connect ideas: i.e. In
ideas. addition, Moreover, Further, In contrast
etc.
1&2
Voice/ There is no personal There is minimal The piece is The writer’s energy and -Choose an artifact that you feel a strong
Personality involvement in the personal energetic but lacks passion drive the writing, connection to so that this connection
piece. The voice involvement in the passion. There is a making the text lively and will seep naturally into your writing.
sounds fake and put- piece. Every once lack of ownership expressive. The writing -Determine and think about your
on. The piece is a list in a while we hear of the topic. For sparks the reader’s audience and the tone required for this
of facts with no the writer’s voice, most of the piece imagination. The writer piece.
personal involvement but much of the the reader connects with the reader and -While planning your piece, think of and
or ownership. The piece sounds fake understands what the text sounds as if the author include descriptive/figurative language
writer seems bored and like a list of the writer thinks is really into the piece. that means something to you.
with topic. facts. and feels and not -During the proofreading process,
just the facts. ensure that every sentence sounds like
the best writer YOU can be.