A cartographer, a person who makes maps, recently visited your school to explain about her job. While she was there, she talked about how important a topographer was to her job; a topographer is a person who maps out and describes the surface features of certain regions. You and your classmates really enjoy the presentation and get excited about the process of making maps.

Your teacher gives you two passages to read, “Maps” which describes the key parts of a map, and a passage that describes what the moon looks like called “Is the Moon Really Made of Cheese?” (Refer to the left side of the panel)

After you have reviewed these sources, you will answer some questions. Briefly scan the sources and the question(s) based on the article. Then go back and read the sources carefully so you will have the information you will need to answer the questions and complete your research. You may use scratch paper to take notes.

PART 2

Map-Making Informational Task

You will now review your notes and sources, and plan, draft, revise, and edit your writing. You may use your notes and go back to the sources. Now read your assignment and the information about how your writing will be scored; then begin your work.

Your Assignment:

Your class is creating a new magazine about exploration. Your teacher asks you to think about everything you learned, from the speaker and the passages you read, regarding maps. She wants you to write an article for the new magazine that describes what a map of the moon would look like if you were Galileo, being sure to use the correct terms of maps as mentioned in the passages.

REMEMBER: A well-written informational article:

• Has a clear main idea
• Is well-organized and stays on the topic
• Has an introduction and conclusion
• Uses transitions
• Uses details or facts from the sources to support your main idea
• Develops ideas clearly
• Uses clear language
• Follows rules of writing (spelling, punctuation, and grammar usage)

Now, begin your work on your informational article. Manage your time carefully so that you can

1. Plan your article
2. Write your article.
3. Revise and edit the final draft of your article.

Word-processing tools and spell check are available to you.

For Part 2, you are being asked to write an article that is several paragraphs long. Type your response in the box below. The box will get bigger as you type. .

Remember to check your notes and your prewriting/planning as you write and then revise and edit your informational article.