Cultivating Thought Student Essay Assignment

Objective: submit a short, original (and amazing) essay about a time when food created a
memory (Chipotle)
The student will:

Read examples of Cultivating Thoughts essays on Chipotles website

Brainstorm ideas for essay

Complete a rough draft of essay

Complete a final draft of essay

(Optional) Submit the essay on Chipotles website

Parts of the project:

1. Selection of Topic

Due Wednesday 05/13/15

2. Rough Draft of Essay

Due Friday 05/15/15

3. Parent/Guardian Consent Form

Due Friday 05/15/15

4. Final Draft of Essay

Due Thursday 05/21/15

Grading:
Essay must be no less than 100 words and no more than 1700 characters (about 260 words)
long. I will be grading your essays according to a rubric, so although you may wish to keep your
essay very short, if I feel you did not put much effort into it, it will not receive a good grade.
Great essays will receive
A class essay grade of an A
A chance to receive a $20,000 college scholarship
A chance to have essay on future Chipotle packaging

Dear Parent/Guardian,
As the school year is winding to a close, it is time to start implementing the final
projects/assignments in the classroom. This year, for one of the final projects in my English II
Honors class, I have decided to have the students take part in Chipotle Mexican Grills Student
Essay Contest.
A few years ago, Jonathan Safran Foer (author of Everything is Illuminated and Extremely Loud
& Incredibly Close) partnered with Chipotle Mexican Grill CEO Steve Ells to create the
Cultivating Thought Author Series. For this marketing plan, renowned authors, comedians, and
celebrities would write brief essays which would be featured on the cups and bags found in
Chipotle restaurants nationwide. According to the Chipotle website, the goal of the Cultivating
Thought Author Series is to create a moment of analog pause in a digital world, provoking
introspection or inspiration, and maybe a little laughter.
Recently, Chipotle has launched a Student Essay Contest. For this contest, the company is
asking that middle and high school students submit a short, original essay about a time when
food created a memory. Chipotle will pick 10 winning student essays, and each winner will
receive 1) a $20,000 college scholarship, and 2) his/her essay featured on future Chipotle food
packaging.
For one of our final projects this year, I am asking that each student in my English II Honors
class compose a brief essay about a time when food created a memory and turn it in to me for a
grade. This grade will count toward their final class grade. However, I dont want this essay to
simply be a grade; I would love it if my students had the chance to submit their essays and
possibly win a scholarship and the chance for a wide audience to read their writing. Therefore,
on one of the final days of school, our class will be going to the computer lab to submit our
essays in the Chipotle contest. However, in keeping with the official rules of the contest, I will
not allow my students to submit their essays into this contest without the written consent of a
parent/guardian.
If your child has permission to submit his or her essay into the Chipotle Student Essay Contest
and possibly receive a $20,000 college scholarship and the chance to be featured on future
Chipotle packaging, please check the appropriate box below. If your child does NOT have
permission to submit his or her essay into this contest, and if you would only like for your child
to receive a grade in the class for his or her essay, check the appropriate line below. Then, please
sign your name.
Sincerely,

Colby Swift
______ Yes, my child has my permission to enter his/her essay into the Student Essay Contest.
______ No, my child does NOT have my permission to enter his/her essay into the Student
Essay Contest.
Parent / Guardian Signature: ________________________________

Name:

Date:

Cultivating Thought Essay Reviews

Directions: First, visit cultivatingthought.com . Near the bottom
of this website, find three Cultivating Thought Essays you would
like to read and review for this assignment. After you read each
essay, complete the bottom of this sheet.
Cultivating Thought Essay #1
Title:
Author:
What is this essay about?:

What style is this essay written in (formal or informal)?:

How would you describe the tone of this essay?:

Is there anything particularly interesting/unique about this essay? What is it?:

Cultivating Thought Essay #2

Title:
Author:
What is this essay about?:
What style is this essay written in (formal or informal)?:

How would you describe the tone of this essay?:

Is there anything particularly interesting/unique about this essay? What is it?:

Cultivating Thought Essay #3

Title:
Author:
What is this essay about?:

What style is this essay written in (formal or informal)?:

How would you describe the tone of this essay?:

Is there anything particularly interesting/unique about this essay? What is it?:

Cultivating Thought Essay Rubric

Name __________________________________________
25

22

19

14

Content

The piece
thoroughly addresses
the writing prompt
throughout. The
piece is moving.

The piece
addresses the
writing prompt
throughout.

For the most part, the

piece addresses the
writing prompt,
although some parts
of piece are off topic.

The piece does not

address the writing
prompt.

Literary
Elements /
Techniques

Effectively utilizes
literary elements and
techniques
(figurative language,
dialogue, descriptive
language, etc.) to
enhance the piece.

Uses literary
elements and
techniques
(figurative
language, dialogue,
descriptive
language, etc.) to
enhance the piece.

Some attempt to use

literary elements and
techniques (figurative
language, dialogue,
descriptive language,
etc.) to enhance the
piece.

No attempt to use literary

elements and techniques
(figurative language,
dialogue, descriptive
language, etc.) to enhance
the piece.

Organization

Wisely uses an
organizational
structure that helps
the piece flow and
helps reader
comprehend piece.

Uses an
organizational
structure that helps
reader comprehend
most of what
happens in the
piece.

Uses an
organizational
structure which
makes piece
confusing at times.

Uses an inappropriate
organizational structure
that stops reader from
understanding the piece.

Writing
Conventions

Demonstrate a
control of the
conventions,
exhibiting only
occasional errors.

Demonstrate partial
control, exhibiting
occasional errors
that do not hinder
comprehension.

Exhibit frequent
errors that somewhat
hinder
comprehension.

Exhibit frequent errors

that make comprehension
difficult.

(Spelling,
punctuation,
capitalization, usage)

Grade: ______ / 100