CHARLEMAGNE EPITAPH
We will be creating an epitaph for Charlemagne. An epitaph is engraved on headstone or grave
monument to describe the life of the deceased, their actions, their values, their way of life, how people
felt about them, and may even describe how they died. Epitaphs often contain a great deal of detail
about the deceased and in many ways express the impact that the deceased had on the people as well as
the world. You will be expected to consider your opinion or view of Charlemagne and his leadership.
In the epitaph you will not only express that viewpoint and support your viewpoint with specific details
about Charlemagne’s life, actions, and characteristics. The epitaph is expected to rhyme and contain a
minimum of 6 concrete details. Here is an example of an epitaph:
CHARLEMAGNE
APRIL 2, 742- JANUARY 28, 814
In this ground lies Charles the Great, what a truly wonderful head of state
He gave much to the poor and conquered with a fierce roar
Forcing people to convert and sending others to rest in the dirt.
He was a bit of a scholar and required his subjects to part with a dollar,
Raising taxes to support the people while building many a church steeple.
EPITAPH FORMAT
- Name of Deceased/Date of Birth & Death
- Six Specific Actions/Characteristics
• Accurate/ Descriptive/ Detailed
- Analysis
• Shows your opinion/viewpoint of Charlemagne and each of his actions you included in the
epitaph
-Rhyme
• Systematic Rhyme Scheme
-Design/Illustration
• Reflects his rule/Clear/ Detailed
NAME:_____________________________________________________________________
COMMON CORE LEARNING STANDARDS
GENERAL CLASSWORK RUBRIC
Directions: Consider our class discussions around guidelines for class work and this rubric. Review your
assignment against the criteria in the rubric and score yourself in each category. Take the average of the three
scores and record your score out of 4 in the section entitled overall score. Then record specific reasons why you
think you deserve that score in each category.
CATEGORY
Needs
Satisfactory
Good
Excellent
Improvement
(2.8-3.1)
(3.2-3.5)
(3.6-4)
(2.6-2.7)
Key Ideas and
Details with
Subject Area
Vocabulary
(R.CCR.1)
(R.CCR.10)
Cites little examples
of historical details to
support analysis of
what the text says.
Uses few keywords
or vocabulary at all
or correctly.
Cites a few examples
of textual evidence to
support analysis of
what the text says.
Uses some keywords
or vocabulary with
some inaccuracies.
Production of
Writing
(W.CCR.4)
(L.CCR.1)
(L.CCR.2)
Produces writing in
which the
organization and
style are not evident
or not appropriate to
the task. There are
numerous errors in
grammar or spelling.
Produces writing in
which the
organization and
style are evident but
are not fully
appropriate to the
task. There are
several errors in
grammar or spelling.
Adherence to Task
(W.CCR.1)
(R.CCR.10)
Arguments and work
support claims using
little to no reasoning,
and evidence. The
majority of the
required elements of
the assignment are
not present.
Arguments and work
support claims using
basic reasoning, and
basic evidence. Many
of the required
elements are missing
or incomplete.
OVERALL SCORE: _______________
COMMENTS
KEY IDEAS & DETAILS WITH VOCABULARY:
PRODUCTION OF WRITING:
ADHERENCE TO THE TASK:
Cites several
examples of textual
evidence to support
analysis of what the
text says. Uses
several keywords and
vocabulary terms
correctly.
Produces clear
writing in which the
organization and
style are appropriate
to the task. There are
some errors in
grammar or spelling.
Arguments support
claims using logical
reasoning and
substantial evidence.
All required elements
are present but may
lack some depth or
development.
Cites many examples
of textual evidence to
support analysis of
what the text says.
Uses many keywords
and vocabulary
correctly.
Produces clear and
logical writing in
which the
development,
organization, and
style are appropriate
to the task. There are
very few minor errors
in grammar or
spelling.
Arguments support
claims using valid
reasoning and
extensive evidence.
All required elements
are completed
thoroughly and
deeply.