Middle ages
COMMON TEST B: ESSAY WRITING ASSESSMENT
You are to write an essay on lined paper by hand. You will have one full lesson to complete the assessment. Writing date (set by teacher):
How much did the Church dominate society during the Middle Ages? Examine four different examples (a group/class, significant event, a key individual and a topic of your own choosing).
It is important that your essay is not a narrative telling all you know about the period. It is essential that you analyse and focus on the question asked. This must be done in the following way.
• You are to focus on a key event (such as the First Crusade or a major Festival), the Church’s impact on at least one group (i.e peasants or monks etc.) and a key individual (King John, Frederick Barbarossa, Henry II,
Charlemagne, William the Conqueror, Joan of Ark etc.) and another topic of your own choice (second group, pilgrimages, festivals, crime and punishment etc.)
• In the 45 minutes that you have, you should be aiming to write between 2 -4 single sides of A4 pages. Remember to rule a margin. Write in pen (not pencil).
• You must prepare an essay planner (graphic organiser) that can be referred to during the writing phase. This is to be submitted with your essay at the conclusion of the lesson.
• Please note: The graphic organiser will contribute to 20% (5 marks) of the overall mark awarded for the essay.
Year 8 Essay Criteria: Battle of Hastings
Criteria Mark Achievement Standard
Learning Outcome: Historical Skills
Research and Planning /5
-Makes point-form notes from material covered in classes
-Develops a plan which addresses the question
Essay Structure and Expression /10
Essay contains:
-Introduction, Body and Conclusion
-An overall argument that addresses the question.
Uses a clear sentence structure containing:
-Topic, developing, supporting and concluding/linking sentences
-Contains one main topic or idea per paragraph /5
+
/10
(0-1) (2)
(3) (4) (5)
(0-2) (3-4)
(5-6)
(7-8) (9-10)
/15 Very Limited
0-4 Limited
(5-7) Satisfactory
(8-10) High
(11-12) Very High
(13-15)
Learning Outcome: Historical Knowledge and Understanding /10
-Refers to key dates, people, places and/or events.
-Uses some primary or secondary evidence to support opinions.
-Discusses the impact in relation to societies/a major event
-Discusses the impact in relation to at least one group/class within the feudal society
-Discusses the impact in relation to a significant individual
-May discuss
Achievement Standard: Historical Knowledge and Understanding /10 Very Limited (0-2) Limited (3-4) Satisfactory
(5-6) High
(7-8) Very High (9-10)
Staff Comment: Total /25
Student Reflection: 1. How do I feel about my essay preparation and performance /10? (10 being the best possible)
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
2. Re-examine you scaffolded plan and essay and consider the teachers’ feedback (written and/or verbal). What will you need to do to improve your History essays in the future?
Name ________________________ ESSAY PLANNER
Body Paragraph Sentences: Topic (1) +Developing (1-2) +Supporting (2-3) +Linking (1)
Introduction: include your main argument and develop a strong thesis statement. Clearly establish historical context/main narrative themes or ideas to be covered in the essay.
THESIS STATEMENT:
Topics (list):
Sub Argument (1st Group/Class):
Supporting evidence:
•
• •
Sub Argument (Event):
Supporting evidence:
•
• •
Sub Argument (Key Individual):
Supporting evidence:
•
• •
Sub Argument (2nd GROUP/CLASS or other relevant topic of own choosing):
Supporting evidence:
•
• •
Conclusion: Summarise/restate the main points and offer an informed opinion that links to your original thesis statement.
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