Dear 6th Grade Families,
We’ve started writing essays on Greek myths. Your child is responding to the prompt: Are humans destroyed by their pride? Why or why not? To help you see what I’m asking students to do, I’ve included four short sample body paragraphs below, along with notes on how they typically score on the state writing assessment and in my classroom.
What a Body Paragraph Looks Like (6th Grade—AASA Rubric)
Each sentence is highlighted to show which rubric skill is being demonstrated
Purpose/Focus (Claim, Summary): light blue
Evidence (text detail/fact): light green
Elaboration (explanation/connection): light yellow
Score 4 - A true hero in Greek myths is someone who puts others first and asks for help, even when it is dangerous. For example, Perseus agrees to face Medusa, a deadly creature, to protect his family and his town. This shows he cares more about other people than his own safety, because he accepts a risky task. He also uses a clever plan—the mirrored shield—and accepts help from the gods to avoid being turned to stone. By planning and seeking help, Perseus demonstrates smart problem-solving that keeps others safe without acting recklessly. So, Greek heroes are remembered because they choose others over themselves and combine bravery with careful thinking. | Purpose/Focus: Strong, clear claim that answers the prompt and stays on topic. Evidence: Two specific pieces of evidence are present and clearly connected to the claim. Elaboration: Explanations fully develop how each piece of evidence supports the claim. Organization: Follows the required structure (claim, evidence, elaboration, evidence, elaboration, summary) with smooth transitions. |
Score 3- A hero in Greek stories is someone who bravely helps others and asks for help. For example, Perseus goes after Medusa even though it is dangerous. This shows he is brave and willing to risk himself to help others. He also uses a shield and gets help from gods to succeed. Using a plan and help shows he is clever, not just strong. In short, Greek heroes are brave and use smart choices to help people. | Purpose/Focus: Clear claim and mostly focused on the task. Evidence: Two pieces of evidence are included; details are accurate but less developed. Elaboration: Explanations are present but briefer or less specific. Organization: Structure is clear, but transitions are simpler. |
Score 2- A hero is someone who does brave things and gets help from others. For example, Perseus fights Medusa and wins. That shows he is brave because he fights dangerous monsters. He gets help from the gods. The help lets him win the fight. So heroes are brave and sometimes get help. | Purpose/Focus: The main idea is simple and only somewhat developed. Evidence: Evidence present but brief and partly explained. Elaboration: Explanations are repetitive or shallow. Organization: Basic structure present, but ideas may feel choppy. |
Score 1- Heroes do things. Many myths have fights. People win. Sometimes, gods help. Help makes it easier. Heroes win things. | Purpose/Focus: Vague or confusing claim; little awareness of audience/task. Evidence: Minimal or general evidence that does not clearly support the claim. Elaboration: Explanations are missing, unclear, or irrelevant. Organization: Structure exists, but content is underdeveloped and confusing. |
Often, students struggle the most with elaborating. Below, you will find more specific information on what it means to elaborate on evidence.
Elaborating on evidence means explaining to the reader why a fact or example matters for your main point. It connects the proof (what happened or what the text says) to the claim (what you’re arguing). Here’s a guide:
What it is
· Saying more about the evidence so its importance is clear.
· Showing how the detail supports the claim, not just repeating it.
Simple steps to teach or check for
· Restate the evidence in your own words (brief).
· Explain what the evidence shows—what idea or trait it proves.
· Tie that idea back to the claim: say exactly how the evidence helps your argument.
Example (claim: “Perseus is brave.”)
Evidence: “Perseus faces Medusa.”
Elaboration: “Facing Medusa is risky because she can turn people to stone; by choosing to face her anyway, Perseus shows he puts others’ safety above his own fear. That proves he is brave.”