History 8-2, Assignment Seven, Research Paper, 1825 - 1855

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In what ways did your selected event shape the history of America?

Description

During this assignment you create an essay about an event or trend in American history that took place from 1825 to 1855.
 

Objectives

Students will create a clear description of their chosen event.

They will draw material from reputable sources, and meet the requirements stated below.

Special instructions

You will create a research paper. The following topics are already approved. If you want to choose another one, check with Mr. Robbins before beginning.
NOTE >> It's probably more effective to write about one part of a movement than the entire subject. For example, if you chose the western fur trade, it might work better to talk about one of the traders or companies invovled in the fur trade than the entire fur trade as a whole. This is up to you, but it will probably help bring your paper to life - and make it more manageable.

• The Abolition Movement
• Rights for Factory Working Women
• Nat Turner’s Rebellion
• The Texas Independence Movement
• Manifest Destiny
• The Mexican War
• The Western Fur Trade
• The Oregon Trail
• The Trail of Tears
• The Mormon Migration
• The California Gold Rush

NOTES:

1. Your research paper needs to meet the requirements being used in your English classes for citations and formatting.
2. You should include at least three sources.
3. Only about 1/4 of the paper can be direct citations. If you need an exception to this, ask first.
4. It should be about 600 - 700 words long.
5. It should have a clear thesis statement, and include relevant examples to support your thesis statement.
6. It should discuss what is in your sources - rather than just repeating your opinions.
7. This paper can be narrative or reflective in style. It does not need to be persuasive.
8. If you have questions, ask!

Vocabulary

NA

Rubric

Remember - you are telling a story about your topic. This is not a persuasive paper.
Peoples' lives can be messy and actual events don't always follow a clear plot outline. For these and other reasons, you have a great deal more latitude in the telling of the story for this paper than you may have encountered in your English classes. The structure must be clear and easy to follow, but the actual telling of the story - do what you need to do to help me understand what you are trying to say.

100%
There is a simple, main topic. Ideas that support the main topic are tied into the main topic.
The purpose of the essay is clear.
The essay shows evidence of clear understanding of the topic.
The writer uses clear and vivid phrases to illustrate their ideas.
Page formatting is correct.
Language usage - grammar, sentence structure, spelling, and capitalization - show no, or very few, errors.

90%
There is a simple, main topic. Ideas that support the main topic are tied into the main topic.
The purpose of the essay is somewhat difficult to find.
The essay shows evidence of clear understanding of the topic.
The writer uses phrases that are not specific and may be somewhat unclear.
Page formatting is correct.
Language usage - grammar, sentence structure, spelling, and capitalization - show no, or very few, errors.

80%
There is a simple, main topic. Connections to supporting ideas are difficult to find.
The purpose of the essay is unclear.
The essay shows that writer understands the topic moderately well.
The writer uses phrases that are not specific and may be somewhat unclear.
Page formatting contains a few errors. 
Language usage - grammar, sentence structure, spelling, and capitalization - include minor errors.

70%
The main topic may be difficult to find. Connections and supporting ideas are scattered. 
The purpose of the essay is unclear.
The essay shows that writer only understands the topic in a superficial manner.
Page formatting contains frequent errors. 
Language usage - grammar, sentence structure, spelling, and capitalization - include frequent errors.

60% or less
The main topic is difficult to find. Connections and supporting ideas are scattered or missing. 
The purpose of the essay is unclear.
The essay shows that writer does not understand the topic.
Page formatting is essentially absent.
Language usage - grammar, sentence structure, spelling, and capitalization - are poorly done and show lack of attention to detail.

• Links
• Printed files
  NA
• Media files
  To see the PowerPoint with the examples and suggestions from the actual papers, click here.
   
• Online files
  i will add files as helps when students request them.