PROMPT: The question for the essay is simply this: “What is the most important t
PROMPT: The question for the essay is simply this: “What is the most important thing you learned in this class?” The response should be in the form of a historical argument covering AT LEAST the last 150 years of U.S. history..
The essay should be approximately 1000-1500 words. Please use one inch margins and double-space or space and a half. You should look at the General Guidelines for Papers to ensure that you’re writing the best essay possible. You may use material from the readings, lectures, videos, or conduct further research to answer the questions questions, but you must support your arguments with evidence. Use legitimate sources, no Wikipedia or non-academic sources. Use proper citations and include a reference page. You may use MLA, APA, or Chicago format, whichever you prefer.
General Guidelines:
I. Organization (how well you structure your argument)
You should have an introductory paragraph that briefly summarizes your answer to the question.
The body of the essay should be logically organized to support your argument. Usually a topical organization is best. For instance, if the question asks you to talk about economics, politics, and social structure, a logical form of organization would be to have a paragraph on economics, a paragraph on politics, etc.
Each paragraph in the body should begin with a clear topic sentence. A topic sentence indicates the main point you’re making in that paragraph. As a general rule of thumb, never start a paragraph with a statement of fact or a quote. Your paragraph should stay focused on proving that central point. For instance, if you indicate in your topic sentence that you will be making an argument about politics, don’t wander off into talking about economics.
Your essay should have a clear conclusion that summarizes the main points of your argument (your answer to the question)
II. Use of Evidence (how well you support your argument with historical facts)
Key assertions should be supported by specific historical facts rather than generalizations.
Evidence should be integrated into the argument. Just throwing out facts is not enough – you need to explain HOW the facts help prove your argument.
Facts should be CORRECT and RELEVANT. The first point is obvious. In the second case, students often dump a large quantity of facts into a paper without any regard to whether they relate to answering the question. This indicates that the student doesn’t really understand the significance of the evidence.
III. Overall Effectiveness of the Argument (Does your answer make historical sense)
The essay should actually make an analytical argument, not just provide a narration of events. In history we look at not just WHAT happened in the past, but WHY it happened and WHY it’s significant.
All elements of the question should be addressed. If the question has two components and you only address one, that’s not a complete answer.
Overall, the essay should reflect a good understanding of the historical material being discussed
FILES:
UNIT 1: Colonial America: Native Americans in the Colonial Era; African Americans in the Colonial Era
UNIT 2: Native Peoples in the 19th Century
UNIT 3: African Americans in the 19th Century
UNIT 4: New Peoples
UNIT 5: Into the 20th Century
UNIT 6: World War II and the Civil Rights Movement
UNIT 7: Modern America