Name___________________________

Islamic Contributions to the World Essay Project

Directions: Using your notes on Islamic Culture, decide which Islamic contribution to Western civilization is most important to you! Rank them highest (1) to lowest (9).
Cultural Contributions Architecture Your Ranking 1 = highest 9 = lowest

With your group, you will answer the following questions in the form of a well written essay. You are responsible for answering these questions on this paper and writing your own essay! Use these questions as a base to help you get started, not be your WHOLE essay! Use your textbook and computer for research. Use the rubric to help you see what you will be graded on and attach it to your essay. Your essay will be hand written in three to five paragraphs. 1. Summarize the Islamic Empire.

Mosaics

Arabic Alphabet

Universities

2. Describe the contribution in full detail.

Translation of books into Arabic Scientific Contributions Arabic numerals (zero) Algebra

3. How did the contribution help improve live for the Islamic Empire?

Medicine

Expansion of Geographic Knowledge Write your three highest ranked contributions in the box to the right. 1. 2. 3.

4. How did your assigned topic influence life not only for the citizens of the Islamic Empire, but also for the rest of Western civilization (then and now)? Provide specific examples.

5. Why do you think this contribution is more important than the others?

Thesis/ Backgro und

5 Strong thesis stating contribution and why it is important. Detailed background on Islamic Empire and explanation of contribution with dates and discoveries. Strong defense of thesis with connections to Western civilization during that time period as well as today, and daily life improvements. Well written restating of the thesis with a strong closing argument. Strong paragraph and sentence structure. No grammar or spelling errors.

Defense

Conclusi on

4 Strong thesis stating contribution and why it is important. Generally detailed background on Islamic Empire and explanation of contribution with dates and discoveries. Good defense of thesis with most information on connections to Western civilization during that time period as well as today, and daily life improvements. Good restating of the thesis with a good closing argument. Strong paragraph and sentence structure. Few grammar and/or spelling errors. Legible handwriting with no scratch-outs, writing between red lines, and only on front pages. No creased corners, tears, or perforated edges on final

3 Good thesis stating contribution and why it is important. Background on Islamic Empire or explanation of contribution with dates and discoveries.

Weak defense of thesis with connections to Western civilization during that time period, today or daily life improvements. Same wording as thesis introduction. Good closing argument. Good paragraph and sentence structure. Some grammar and/or spelling errors. Legible handwriting and/or one of the following: scratch-outs, writing past red lines, writing on both sides of pages, creased corners, tears, or perforated edges on final

2 Weak thesis stating contribution and why it is important. Vague background on Islamic Empire or explanation of contribution with dates and discoveries. Weak defense of thesis minimally covers two of the three topics listed in section 5.

1 No clear thesis. Vague background on topic.

No clear explanation of connections to Western civilization or daily life improvements.

Same wording as thesis introduction. Weak closing argument. Weak paragraph and sentence structure. Major grammar and/or spelling errors. Mostly legible handwriting and/or two or three of the following: scratchouts, writing past red lines, writing on both sides of pages, creased

No restating of the thesis or closing argument. No clear paragraphs. Weak sentence structure. Major grammar and spelling errors.

Structur e/ Gramma r

Neatnes s/ Participa tion

Legible handwriting with no scratch-outs, writing between red lines, and only on front pages. No creased corners, tears, or perforated edges on final

Mostly illegible handwriting and/or with more than three of the following: scratch-outs, writing past red lines, writing on both sides of pages, creased corners, tears, or perforated

draft. Full participation during group and individual work.

draft. Mostly participated during group and individual work.

draft. Mostly participated during group and individual work.

corners, tears, or perforated edges on final draft. Minimally participated during group and individual work.

edges on final draft. No participation during group and individual work.

Researc h

Written list of all sources used with title and author for books and title and web address for websites.

Written list of most sources used with title and author for books and title and web address for websites.

Written list of few sources used with title and author for books and title and web address for websites.

AP Essay Score: ______/5 Comments:

Test Grade: Avg. ______x10=______/50