Letters will be scored using the criteria indicated below. Refer to the assignment handout for an overview of the assignment and a description of expectations. Below Standard/ Meets Standard Exceeds Standard Score Not Acceptable (3 points) (5 points) (0 points) Content Human contributions to biodiversity Letter Letter includes 2-3 factors Letter includes 4 or more factors includes 0-1 factor loss. Relationship among contributing Not addressed Includes general statement, Includes general statement factors but no examples supported by an example Impacts on society Significance to society of Presents a basic argument Presents a thorough argument for biodiversity loss not for the significance of the significance of biodiversity addressed biodiversity loss to society loss including impacts on biological resources, ecosystem services, and social and spiritual benefits current biological No comparison made Basic comparison made, but Comparison made including Causes of lacking in detail specific details regarding which diversity losses compared to past causes varied mass extinctions current biological No comparison made Basic comparison made, but Comparison made including Rates of lacking in detail, specific, quantitative details diversity losses compared to past quantification regarding how rates varied mass extinctions Recommendation for conservation No recommendation made Recommendation made, Recommendation made, priority some information on reasons thorough explanation of reasons for choice and criteria used for choice and criteria used included included Writing Disorganized letter that Clear and organized letter Well-crafted letter that communicates issue of that communicates issue of eloquently communicates issue biodiversity loss, but lacks biodiversity loss, but is of biodiversity loss, its causes, detail or contains major missing some detail or impacts, and the board’s inaccuracies. 5+ contains minor inaccuracies. recommendation to the public. grammatical errors. 2-4 grammatical errors. grammatical errors.
Letters will be scored using the criteria indicated below. Refer to the assignment handout for an overview of the assignment and a description of expectations. Below Standard/ Not Acceptable (0 points) Meets Standard (3 points) Exceeds Standard (5 points) Score Content Human contributions to biodiversity loss. Letter includes 0-1 factor Letter includes 2-3 factors Letter includes 4 or more factors Relationship among contributing factors Not addressed Includes general statement, but no examples Includes general statement supported by an example Impacts on society Significance to society of biodiversity loss not addressed Presents a basic argument for the significance of biodiversity loss to society Presents a thorough argument for the significance of biodiversity loss including impacts on biological resources, ecosystem services, and social and spiritual benefits Causes of current biological diversity losses compared to past mass extinctions No comparison made Basic comparison made, but lacking in detail Comparison made including specific details regarding which causes varied Rates of current biological diversity losses compared to past mass extinctions No comparison made Basic comparison made, but lacking in detail, quantification Comparison made including specific, quantitative details regarding how rates varied Recommendation for conservation priority No recommendation made Recommendation made, some information on reasons for choice and criteria used included Recommendation made, thorough explanation of reasons for choice and criteria used included Writing Disorganized letter that communicates issue of biodiversity loss, but lacks detail or contains major inaccuracies. 5+ grammatical errors. Clear and organized letter that communicates issue of biodiversity loss, but is missing some detail or contains minor inaccuracies. 2-4 grammatical errors. Well-crafted letter that eloquently communicates issue of biodiversity loss, its causes, impacts, and the board’s recommendation to the public. grammatical errors.
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