1. Read-Listen-view Essay Rationale
Common Core State Standards:
CCR : Determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze their development; summarize the key supporting details and ideas.
CCR : Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.
CCR : Prepare for and participate effectively in a range of conversations and collaborations with diverse partners, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
CCL Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking…
Learning Outcomes:
Students will understand to make connections among unlike texts using prior knowledge.
Students will learn how to use their personal experience while developing an essay.
Students will understand how to incorporate literary analysis when constructing an essay.
Students will understand how to evaluate their own grammar skills and practices in context of an essay.
Students will learn to plan, organize, and write in a time frame.
Students will understand the importance of self-assessment.

2. Human Nature & Violence Essay Think about this question as you construct your essay in accordance with the quote.
How does genetic makeup and environment impact or shape our feelings and tendencies about violence?

3. Respond to the following quote in a reflective, narrative essay.
“Human nature is potentially aggressive and destructive and potentially orderly and constructive.” – Margaret Mead
Prewriting:
Write an outline for your essay in the following format:
Introduction: What does the quote mean to you?
Body Paragraph: Relate the quote to at least two of the following: the non-fiction article, video, short story, or infographic studied this week.
A. How does each situation apply to the quote?
Body Paragraph: Relate the quote to your own life.
A. How does the quote relate to your own life? Reflect on your
experiences or feelings about the non-fiction article, video, short
story, or infographic. (Choose at least two examples.)
IV. Conclusion: Reiterate your feelings by exploring a deeper meaning of
the quote, and explain why this quote can support the destructive
and constructive potential of human beings at the same time.

4. Human Nature & Violence Essay Self-Evaluation
Take a close look at your essay and evaluate your own writing in the following areas:
1. Organization
a. Do you have indented paragraphs?
b. Did you follow the outline?
2. Transitions & Sentence Fluency
a. Do your transitions create flow (words or phrases used to
connect ideas)
b. How do you start your sentences?
c. Do you have varied structure and length?
d. Did you incorporate the appropriate grammar requirements?
3. Content
a. Did you use strong content to support the claims you were
making?

5. Human Nature & Violence Essay Reflection
1. Strengths
a. What worked well in the piece? (format, substance,
word choice, etc.)
2. Improvements
a. What needed clarification?
b. What was unnecessary?
3. Plan
a. Should I continue this piece, I will change…
b. I do not wish to revise this piece because…

6. Click the Images to view or hear essay sources