Exploration Begins Paragraph Analysis
Name _______________________ # ____
ESSENTIAL QUESTION What were the events, discoveries, and motivations that spurred on the European Age
of Exploration in the 1400s?
DIRECTIONS Read the paragraphs below with your team. Then, discuss what was good and what needs to be
fixed. Complete the checklist and be prepared to share your findings with the class.
Great!
OK
Needs
Work
Missing
SECTION
Explanatory Text Paragraph Checklist
INTRO
Your paragraph begins with a general topic sentence that contains SS
Light bulb (Setting, Subject, Big Idea). Turn the Essential Question into
a statement.
BODY
Every sentences clearly helps you answer the question and provides
details from your source to support your answer.
BODY
Transition words are ADVANCED and effective in helping the reader get
ready for your next thought.
BODY
It is written in formal language with high-level vocabulary in your own
words
CONCLUSION
Concluding sentence ends it with a snap! Convince your readers of the
topic’s importance and/or how it relates to them.
PARAGRAPH 1 The European Age of Exploration was spurred on by many different events, discoveries and
motivations. It all started during the Crusades, which took place from 1100-1300. Europeans learned many
new technologies during this time and also gained valuable knowledge from the Muslims they fought. In fact,
this new knowledge launched the rebirth of learning, which is known as the Renaissance. In addition, while the
Crusades were being fought, a young man named Marco Polo traveled to China. When he returned, he told
tales of spices, gold, jewels, and silk. This, of course, led to Europeans wanting Asian goods. Unfortunately, the
Muslims controlled the Silk Road and periodically closed it or taxed the merchants heavily. As a result, the
Europeans decided to try sailing along the coast of Africa in an effort to reach Asia. When that proved too
dangerous, the Europeans, realizing the world was round, thought, “Why not sail west?” which they did. In
1492, Columbus sailed for Spain and discovered the New World. This resulted in the Columbian Exchange of
fruits, vegetables, diseases, etc., which further fueled the Europeans’ desire for foreign goods, and, therefore,
exploration. If it wasn’t for the European Age of Exploration, we might still be living in the “dark.”
COMMENTS ________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Great!
OK
Needs
Work
Missing
SECTION
Explanatory Text Paragraph Checklist
INTRO
Your paragraph begins with a general topic sentence that contains SS
Light bulb (Setting, Subject, Big Idea). Turn the Essential Question into
a statement.
BODY
Every sentences clearly helps you answer the question and provides
details from your source to support your answer.
BODY
Transition words are ADVANCED and effective in helping the reader get
ready for your next thought.
BODY
It is written in formal language with high-level vocabulary in your own
words
CONCLUSION
Concluding sentence ends it with a snap! Convince your readers of the
topic’s importance and/or how it relates to them.
PARAGRAPH 2 In the 1400s, there were events, discoveries and motivations that spurred on the European Age
of Exploration. Furthermore, the Crusades started between 1100 and 1300. During the Crusades, Europeans
discovered better maps from the Arabs and the Renaissance began. Therefore, the Muslims closed the trade
routes. Admittedly, in the following years, Marco Polo went to discover China’s lands. For instance, he told
adventurous stories of spices, silk, gold, and jewels. Yet, the result of Marco Polo’s adventure was that the
Europeans were eager for Asian goods. Meanwhile, Europeans sailed down the African coast, but they didn’t
realize how dangerous it was, so they sailed west. This time, in 1492, Columbus was sent by Spain to discover
the New World. Even though there would be dangers, they were motivated to find the New World. The two
countries traded with each other, this is called the Columbian Exchange. The Europeans exchanged ideas,
livestock, grains, fruits, and veggies between the New World and the Old World. If this even wouldn’t have
happened, we would still be isolated and that would be pretty lonely.
COMMENTS ________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Great!
OK
Needs
Work
Missing
SECTION
Explanatory Text Paragraph Checklist
INTRO
Your paragraph begins with a general topic sentence that contains SS
Light bulb (Setting, Subject, Big Idea). Turn the Essential Question into
a statement.
BODY
Every sentences clearly helps you answer the question and provides
details from your source to support your answer.
BODY
Transition words are ADVANCED and effective in helping the reader get
ready for your next thought.
BODY
It is written in formal language with high-level vocabulary in your own
words
CONCLUSION
Concluding sentence ends it with a snap! Convince your readers of the
topic’s importance and/or how it relates to them.
PARAGRAPH 3 Crusades was in 1100-1300 Europeans learned from Arabs better maps. And Renaissance
began. Muslims controlled trade routes. In 1200s Marco Polo went to China. Stories of spices, silks, gold and
jewels. And Europeans want Asian goods. In 1400s there was diseases and it was dangerous. Europeans tried
sailing down the coast of Africa, which was dangerous! Columbus sailed west and discovered the New World.
The Columbian Exchange diseases, livestock, grains, fruits, and veggies exchanged between Old & New Worlds.
COMMENTS ________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________