Is that thesis strong (arguable)? Do they finish their essay with a conclusion?
Has the student in their essay –
Demonstrated factual and chronological knowledge of the key events, themes, and people that we have covered so far in our assigned work.
Read, understood, and applied the comments I made on their earlier Essay
Taken a position and argued their position or thesis on the question posed. Arguing a position means supporting your thesis by drawing on the assigned textbook and at least TWO of the assigned primary sources assigned up to and including the week when the essay is due.
Demonstrated the ability to interpret historical information by using analytical skills, such as using primary sources skillfully, contextualizing, and comparing and contrasting sources.
Cited (given proper credit to) the sources used by using quotation marks to set off the words of others and citing sources? (for example: Mr. Van, “The Principal Themes in our Class,” http:smc.canvas.3495968)
Used no other outside sources other than the assigned readings, primary sources, and the discussion assignments — unless otherwise directed by the instructor?
Written a clear, grammatically correct, well-organized essay, free of misspellings and basic writing rules? Has s/he punctuated properly? Do they announce their thesis in the first paragraph and argue that thesis in the body of the essay? Is that thesis strong (arguable)? Do they finish their essay with a conclusion? That is, have they written college-level work?
5 Nov 2020 07:34
Choose ONE question for this assignment among those below. If you submit answers to more than one question (please don’t), I will grade only the first essay.
Apply what you learned from your earlier Essay. See my comments and in-essay annotations.
For each essay, you must take a position and argue your position or thesis on the question posed. Arguing a position means supporting your thesis by drawing on the assigned textbook and at least TWO of the primary sources assigned up to and including the week when the essay is due. Then citing what you’ve borrowed or used.
A main theme in our course is Race and Ethnicity. Assess this statement in light of our assigned readings, both the primary and secondary sources presented in our course so far: “…in general, the history of race in the U.S. from 1770 to 1840 was marked by almost continuous discrimination and setbacks for racial minorities, such as African Americans and Native Peoples.” Do you agree with this statement? Fashion a thesis in which you take a position on this claim, then back all you write with the material assigned so far in our course. Include at least the significant use of twoassigned primary sources that are given in the modules for the time period of this question. Finally, for the sake of fairness, be sure to answer the chief criticisms or counterclaims that can be made against your thesis.
Assess this statement in light of our assigned readings: “…what is remarkable about the period from 1788 to 1840 is that the Federal Constitution succeeded in maintaining law and order in the face of threats to its authority while at the same time it was morally hobbled by its own flaws regarding slavery, citizenship, and the form and duties of the Judicial Branch.” Do you agree given the period noted in the prompt? Fashion a thesis in which you take a clear position on this claim, then back all you write with the material assigned since our First Essay was assigned. Include at least the significant use of two assigned primary sources that were given in the period specified in this period. Finally, for the sake of fairness, be sure to answer the chief criticisms or counterclaims that can be made against your thesis.
Assess this statement in light of our assigned readings: “…in the period from 1775 to 1840, women’s roles in the colonies and (afterward) the young Republic were radically transformed, a process that brought them near political equality with men.” Do you agree given the period we’ve looked at so far, roughly from 1775 to 1840? Fashion a thesis in which you take a stand on this claim, then back all you write with the material assigned since the First Essay. Include at least the significant use of two assigned primary sources that were made in this period. Finally, for the sake of fairness, be sure to answer the chief criticisms or counterclaims that can be made against your thesis.
