ESSAY GUIDELINE - YEAR 10 POB

MODULE 4

Write a Process Essay:

You will write a short process essay as your writing assignment this quarter. The first
step of this task is TO SUBMIT YOUR RESEARCH NOTES & OUTLINE. You will
choose one topic from below: 

1) How to learn a new language.

2) How to eliminate human impact on the environment.
3) How to manage your time efficiently.
4) How to choose a major in college if you are interested in philosophy/linguistics,
etc.
5) How to get rid of procrastination.
6) How to protect biodiversity and ecosystems.
7) What are the steps to be taken towards environmental conservation?
8) Your own brilliant topic that you will enjoy writing about. You must clear the topic
of your choice with your teachers at least two days before the first deadline.

REMEMBER!!!

1. This is a research paper. You must use academic language.

2. You will prepare an outline, 1 draft, and a final draft. If you miss a deadline, your task
will not be accepted.
3. If you miss the first draft of the outline but submit the final draft, the maximum score
you can get is 50.

4. If you miss the first draft of your writing task, the final draft will be scored out of 80.

5. If plagiarism is detected at ANY stage of your essay, you will receive a zero.
6. If feedback is not taken seriously, the draft will not be accepted.
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STEP 1: Research Notes & Outline

A. Do research on the questions you’d like to answer in your essay. TAKE

NOTES and SUMMARIZE. Do NOT copy-paste. See the example below:

Example Note Card 1: (This is an example, just study)

Question: How do you play volleyball?

Link 1: https://www.olympicchannel.com/en/stories/features/detail/how-to-play-
volleyball/
Link 2: https://jumpbrothers.com/how-to-play-volleyball/

Notes: (Your notes should be your OWN words, don’t copy and paste)

First, learn rules (sets, team members, point system).

Then, learn about the 6 positions. Learn about different hits. Don’t begin with hitting
the ball as that is harder. Throw and catch the ball.

Rules of the game

- 2 point difference to win
- Starts with a serve
- Other team: bump, set, and spike.

Names of the moves

- Bump: slowing down the ball

- Set: the setter prepares a nice hit for the spiker. (positioned in front of the net)
- Spike: for scoring

Strategic Positions
- people in positions one, five, and six catch the spike
- Position 2 shoots the spike
- The ones in the front pass the ball for the spike
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IT IS YOUR TURN!

Now, research the questions below. Take your notes in the appropriate note card. You must
take notes for all of these questions.

Question: What is a process essay? What is the other name for it? Describe its features.

Link 1:
Link 2:

Notes:

Question: Do you use formal or informal language in a process essay? How should you choose
your words while writing a process essay?

Link 1:
Link 2:

Notes:

Question: What are the parts of a process essay?

Link 1:
Link 2:

Notes:

Question: What background information can you collect about your selected topic? Specify
them.

Link 1:
Link 2:

Notes:
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B. Write an outline for your essay. Here is the template you will use:

I. INTRODUCTION

1. Background information
a. Start with an essay hook to grab the reader’s attention.
b. Dive deeper into the background information.

2. State your thesis statement

c. State the topic being discussed.

II. BODY PARAGRAPHS

1. First paragraph
a. Write a topic sentence: The first step.
b. Give details.

2. Second paragraph
a. Write the topic sentence: The second step.
b. Give details.

3. Third paragraph
a. Write the topic sentence: The third step.
b. Give details.

III. CONCLUSION

a. Restate your thesis statement.

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EXAMPLE PROCESS ESSAY & OUTLINE

How to Make Cut-Off Shorts

I. INTRODUCTION

1. Background information
a. Instead of buying a pair of cut-off shorts at the store, you can
save money and continue wearing your favorite jeans by making
your own cut-offs.
b. Traditionally, cut-offs are denim shorts that have a ragged edge
at the bottom.

2. State your thesis statement

a. All you need to make them is a sharp pair of scissors, a pencil,
and this easy three-step process.

II. BODY PARAGRAPHS

1. First paragraph
a. To get started, choose a pair of jeans that fit you well but are
worn in the knees or damaged in another way.
b. ……..
2. Second paragraph
a. Once you know the length of your shorts, it’s time to mark and
cut them.
b. ………
3. Third paragraph
a. After cutting, distress and finish your cut-offs
b. ……

III. CONCLUSION

a. Now is time to try the easy peasy cut-off shorts on and take a
look at yourself in the mirror
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YOUR TURN: WRITE AN OUTLINE FOR YOUR SELECTED TOPIC!

WRITE YOUR OUTLINE HERE:

I. INTRODUCTION

1. Background information
a. Hook:
b. Background knowledge:

2. State your thesis statement

a. Thesis statement:

II. BODY PARAGRAPHS

1. First paragraph
a. Write a topic sentence:
b. Describe the first step:

2. Second paragraph
a. Topic sentence:
b. Describe the second step:

3. Third paragraph
a. Topic sentence:
b. Describe the second step:
III. CONCLUSION

a. Restate of the thesis statement:

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IMPORTANT NOTES:

● Make sure you create a proper outline and then follow this outline when you
write your paper.
● Write your reports in narrative format (in paragraphs).
● Proofread your essay before submitting. (Refer to the RUBRIC)

● Make sure you use MLA format properly. Before submitting your writing task,
make sure you have the correct format as well. Follow the links to learn more
about MLA format:

MLA Sample Paper

MLA Style Guide

GO OVER MLA FORMAT. THE FIRST PAGE OF YOUR PAPER SHOULD LOOK
LIKE THIS:
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WORD LIMITS:

● There is no word limit for note cards and outlines. Keep it short and concise.
However,

- your note cards must include details regarding the questions,

- you should still use full sentences while you write your outline.

● The first and final draft of your essay (including all titles and paragraphs) must
be 800 - 900 words.
● If it is shorter than 800 words or longer than 900 words, you lose 5 points
for each 100 words. For example:

- If it is 700 words, you lose 5 points.

- If it is 1000 words, you lose 5 points.

SUBMISSION DEADLINES
Research Notes & May 10, 22.59
Outline
First Draft May 22, 22.59
Final Draft June 5, 22.59

*If you get a full score from your 1st draft, you will not have to write the following
drafts.
YOU WILL UPLOAD YOUR WORK TO TURNITIN.
WRITING TASKS SENT VIA EMAIL, WHATSAPP OR TSIS WILL NOT BE
ACCEPTED.
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NOTE CARDS AND OUTLINE RUBRIC: You must get a check from all three points
for your outline to be accepted.

Meets the Does

criteria not meet
the
criteria
Research notes are in proper format and length. The resources
are reliable resources.
There is sufficient information (not too little, not too much)
about each item in the note cards and outline.
The research notes and the outline are presented in an
organized way.
 PROCESS ESSAY RUBRIC

3 2 1
CONTENT The steps to be followed The steps to be followed were Content is off-topic & purpose; it
%35 were provided using effective provided using minimal elaboration shows several inaccuracies and
elaboration with relevant with few or no details, dialogue, and/or confusion.
details, dialogue, and/or description.
description.
ORGANIZATION The essay has a proper Writing is somewhat organized. Points Writing is disorganized and hard
%35 introduction, 3 body are identifiable with minimal reader to follow.
paragraphs and a proper confusion.
conclusion. It shows a
thoughtful, logical, and clear
layout of concepts.
GRAMMAR & Language is very clear, Language is sometimes clear and Language is rarely clear and
CONVENTION effective, carefully chosen, carefully chosen; grammar, vocabulary appropriate; there are many
%20 and precise, with a high and sentence construction are fairly errors in grammar, vocabulary
degree of accuracy in accurate (5-7); the register and style and sentence construction and
grammar, vocabulary and are to some extent appropriate to the little sense of register and style.
sentence construction (3-4 task. (8-more)
errors); register and style are
effective and appropriate to
the task.
OVERALL Cover page and other pages Little mistakes observed related to There are many mistakes related
DESIGN are in proper MLA format. MLA format. (1-2) to MLA format. (3-more)
10%