Do you have a role model you look up to?
Essay #2: Informative Writing
Length: 4-6 Pages Points: 150
One form of writing that will prepare you to write research papers, is the informative essay. In this essay,
you will choose one of the topics below and write an essay. An informative essay does what it says:
informs the reader. It does not intentionally argue or persuade, though it can. It consists of research and
sometimes common knowledge. Please choose ONE of the topics:
1. Do you have a role model you look up to? This can be a family member, neighbor, teacher, or even a
public figure. Write an essay about this person: what they do, how you know them, why you look up to
them (and why others should). This could be a parent, sibling, friend, teacher, celebrity, etc. You may
want to interview them, if possible, to gather some info. Remember: no first person in the body of the
essay.
2. Mental health is a major topic in our country, and worldwide. There are literally hundreds of types of
mental illnesses. Choose ONE mental illness, preferably one you know a little but about, research it,
and write about it.
3. As a student in the military, you have special skills. Write an informative essay on your specific role in
the military (if permitted to do so). When did you enlist? Why did you choose the military? What
branch? What role do you play? Remember, in the body of the essay, you will refer to the specific
position as if you have interviewed someone in the role.
4. Choose your own topic. Send me a message on Canvas explaining your topic. Note: you cannot use a
previously written informative essay for any of these topics.
For this essay you must use TWO (2) sources – these do not have to be “scholarly” articles from the
library but should be somewhat credible. Not sure? Just ask!
When you submit your final essay, you must also submit your sources in a Works Cited page that
adheres to MLA standards. All papers must be formatted to MLA guidelines: double spaced, 12 pt.
font, last name with page numbers in upper right hand corner (header area), name, instructor
name, course and date in the upper left hand corner as well as in-text citations.
Informative Essay Assignment
Exemplary Accomplished Developing Beginning
Purpose/Audience Exemplary
The writing engages the reader
with an original approach to the
subject. It may encompass
conflicting ideas and inspires the
reader to contemplate the
relationship of complex ideas.
Accomplished
The writing clearly goes beyond the
minimum requirements of the
assignment. It attempts to engage
the reader through originality and
presentation of complex ideas.
Developing
The writing meets the minimum
requirements of the assignment. It
offers insight into the subject
through basic logic and the
presentation of ideas based on some
evidence.
Beginning
The writing fails to meet the
minimum requirements of the
assignment. It offers little insight
into the subject and has serious
flaws in logic and omissions in
evidence.
Thesis and Support Exemplary
The writing has a clearly articulated
original thesis and subordinate ideas
supported by reliable and relevant
evidence based on original research
and/or common knowledge. Two
outside sources are included.
Accomplished
The writing has a clearly articulated
thesis supported by appropriate
evidence and sound logic. Minor gaps
in logic and argument may appear. At
least one outside source is included.
Developing
The writing has a clear thesis and
related subordinate ideas
supported by clear thinking and
appropriate evidence. Logical
arguments may be one-sided or
incomplete. No outside sources
included.
Beginning
The writing may need a more clearly
articulated thesis and/or appropriate
related subordinate ideas. Fuzzy logic
may be evident and adequate
supporting evidence is lacking.
Organization Exemplary
Student thoroughly understands and
excels in explaining all major points.
An original, unique, and/or
imaginative approach to overall ideas,
concepts, and findings is presented.
Overall format of assignment includes
an appropriate introduction (or
abstract), well- developed paragraphs,
and conclusion. Finished assignment
demonstrates student’s ability to plan
and organize research in a logical
sequence.
Accomplished
Student explains the majority of
points and concepts in the
assignment. Learner demonstrates a
good skill level in formatting and
organizing material in assignment.
Student presents an above average
level of preparedness, with few
formatting errors.
Developing
Learner applies some points and
concepts incorrectly. Student uses a
variety of formatting styles, with
some inconsistencies throughout the
paper. Assignment does not have a
continuous pattern of logical
sequencing.
Beginning
Assignment reveals formatting
errors and a lack of organization.
Student presents an incomplete
attempt to provide linkages or
explanation of key terms.
Style Exemplary
The writing engages the reader
through an original prose style
appropriate to the subject. Language
is precise. Sentences are varied but
not noticeably so. Active voice is
apparent.
Accomplished
The writing keeps the reader’s
attention through a carefully
crafted prose style. Language
chosen is appropriate to the
subject, but may call attention to
itself in minor ways.
Developing
The writing is clear but could be
expressed in a style more
appropriate to the subject. It is
jargon-free but may require a
more complete explanation of
some terms used.
Beginning
The writing lacks clarity and is
sometimes confusing. The language
chosen is not appropriate to the
subject nor the assignment.
Mechanics Exemplary
The writing is free of grammatical,
proofreading, and stylistic errors. All
quoted material is properly
documented and cited.
Accomplished
The writing may exhibit a few minor
errors in grammar or style, but do
impair the flow of the reading. Most
quoted material is properly
documented and cited.
Developing
The writing could benefit from
additional proofreading, as some
errors impede the flow of the reading.
Sources are documented and cited
but need to show greater consistency.
Beginning
The writing exhibits substantial
errors in grammar and style so that
the basic ideas are lost. Sources are
overly quoted and not adequately
documented nor cited.
Format Exemplary
The essay follows MLA format
guidelines, including in-text
citations, a works cited page, 12pt
TNR font, and double spaced with
additional space removed.
Accomplished
The essay mostly follows MLA format
guidelines, including in-text citations,
a works cited page, 12pt TNR font,
and double spaced with additional
space removed. But is missing a few
formatting features.
Developing
The essay follows some MLA format
guidelines, including in-text citations,
a works cited page, 12pt TNR font,
and double spaced with additional
space removed. But is missing
significant formatting features.
Beginning
The essay follows very few of the
MLA format guidelines.
Page Requirement/Due Date Exemplary
The essay meets the minimum page
requirement and extends past the
minimum, and was turned in on time.
Accomplished
The essay meets the minimum page
requirement and was turned in on
time.
Developing
The essay meets either the page
requirement or was turned on in
time, but not both.
Beginning
Does not meet page requirement
and was not turned in on time.
raduate
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