American History

In this exercise you will use all the skills you have learned in the previous exercises to write a full length, rule of three, historical essay on the prompt below.
As a reminder, an analytical essay contains an introduction setting up the context (with a clear rule of three thesis statement as the last sentence), three paragraphs of the body (in the same format as the one paragraph assignment) – one for each key point in the thesis statement, and a conclusion. The Signature Essay should be 2-3 pages.
For a refresher, return to the exercises in Unit 0 – especially those on Rule of Three, Writing Historically, the difference between summarizing and analyzing (you should analyze), change over time, and the use of historical geography in analysis.

Must be in Rule of Three format with a introduction and strong thesis statement, 3 paragraphs of the body (each with their own thesis statement – one for each of the three key points of your overall thesis), and conclusion. So a minimum of 5 paragraphs. (2-3 pages)
This is a fact based essay, you must provide specific and detailed evidence for your hypotheses.
You must utilize a minimum of three primary sources from the assigned materials (primary sources posted in the Blackboard course module OR found under the primary source section of each chapter in American Yawp only; you may not utilize sources linked to in the reference section of American Yawp) as evidence in your essay
You must utilize a minimum of three secondary sources from the assigned materials as evidence in your essay
You may only use materials assigned in this course for your essay (we have vetted all the materials utilized in this course, other materials may not be appropriate or accurate). If you use outside sources your grade will be docked.
DO NOT QUOTE sources, paraphrase in your own words and cite
You must consider ethics/ethical decision making in this essay
Don’t forget about historical geography, where something takes place matters and it may be important to your argument.
You must use Turabian citation style in this essay; all citations must be footnote style citations (no parenthetical cites allowed, no endnotes/works cited at the end, you need footnotes). Be sure to review how to properly cite a primary source that may be contained in another work and be sure to use page numbers where possible.
12 pt type, 1 inch margins, double-spaced

PROMPT:
The Populist and Progressive reformers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries brought about widespread changes to American politics, economics, and society. In this essay, we want you to consider the ethics and civics of the reformers. Describe THREE of the key reform movements of the Progressive era. Who were these reformers and what motivated them? What methods did they use to further their goals through civic engagement? What ethical considerations did they take into account in pushing reforms? How successful were they in achieving these goals?
Note 1: Successful responses will consider a broad range of evidence in support of arguments. Take a few moments to consider how you would respond by making a list of both “ethics” and “civics” related to these reformers and reforms. Be sure to have a mixture of big/broad ideas and specific/detailed evidence in your argument.
Note 2: We DO NOT want summaries. Summaries will not earn a high grade. “A papers” utilize rule of three analysis (including strong rule of three thesis statements in the introduction and each paragraph of the body), specific and detailed historical facts as evidence, analysis instead of summary, consider change over time and historical geography (as necessary in response to the prompt), and properly cite both primary and secondary sources.
Note 3: Required length is 2-3 pages (introduction, 3 paragraphs of the body, conclusion).

How the Assignment is Graded
The following factors are taken into account when we grade:
Rule of three theses – Do you have a well thought out and clear overall thesis in your introduction? Do you have a thesis statement for each of your three paragraphs of the body? Do the paragraphs of the body follow the overall thesis statement?
Evidence – You must have solid evidence for each point you raise in the thesis. Evidence is not simply a statement, there must be an explanation of how that evidence supports the thesis statement. Example: If you were writing a paragraph on the causes of the Cold War, you might use the Baruch Plan as an example. Simply writing “the Baruch Plan was a cause of the Cold War” in your paragraph would not be enough and would not be analytical. However, the following sentences do provide a good analysis of this piece of evidence:”One cause of the Cold War was the failure of the United States and the Soviet Union to agree upon a plan for nuclear disarmament after World War II. The Baruch Plan, presented by the US, would maintain the American atomic weapon advantage for the foreseeable future. This played into Stalin’s suspicions of the Americans’ true motivations toward the USSR.”
Did you use the minimum number of primary sources? secondary sources?
Historical Accuracy, Clarity, And Logic
Did you analyze (not summarize)? Is your argument clear and does it make sense? Is it historically accurate? Does your evidence prove your point? Does your analysis answer the prompt? Have you considered the concepts of ethics and civics, change over time, and any historical geography factors in your essay?
Proper Citation
Have you properly cited? Have you used Turabian/Chicago? You must also FOOTNOTE. Parenthetical cites are NOT allowed.
Grammar, Spelling and Mechanics
Is the essay up to college standards for grammar and spelling? Is it an analytical essay? Does it meet minimum length and formatting requirements?
Review the Historical Skills Exercises before completing the essay. Also check out the rubric

Signature Assignment
Criteria Ratings
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Rule of Three Thesis
5 pts
Excellent
Well thought out Rule of Three thesis statement in ONE SENTENCE that is detailed in all three key points and demonstrates a deep understanding of the prompt
3.75 pts
Very Good
Implied thesis statement in the introduction or non-Rule of Three thesis statement or Rule of Three thesis statement that shows misunderstanding of the prompt.
2.5 pts
Needs Improvement
Identifiable rule of three thesis statement that includes sufficient detail to demonstrate a strong understanding of the prompt; a strong Rule of Three thesis statement in more than one sentence that meets above criteria is acceptable, but at the lower end of the grading range.

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Paragraphs of the Body
5 pts
Excellent
Each key point in the overall thesis has its own paragraph in the body and each paragraph has its own clear thesis statement
3.75 pts
Very Good
Each key point in the overall thesis has its own paragraph in the body laid out in proper order but one or more paragraphs do not have a clear thesis statement
2.5 pts
Needs Improvement
Body does not have one paragraph (minimum) for each key point of the in the overall thesis statement or three paragraphs are present, but they are not laid out in the proper order

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Ethics/Civics
15 pts
Excellent
Essay explicitly discusses ethics and civics in a meaningful way which demonstrates a deep understanding of the history and course materials.
12 pts
Very Good
Essay does not explicitly discuss ethics and civics in a meaningful way or discussion of ethics and civics demonstrates some misunderstandings of the nature of the change
7.5 pts
Needs Improvement
Essay does not discuss ethics and civics in a meaningful way or discussion of ethics and civics demonstrates poor understanding of the nature of the change

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Historical Geography
5 pts
Excellent
Essay explicitly discusses geography in a meaningful way which demonstrates a deep understanding of the history and course materials.
4 pts
Very Good
Essay does not explicitly discuss geography in a meaningful way or discussion of geography demonstrates some misunderstandings of the nature of the change

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Historical Accuracy, Clarity of Argument, Logical Analysis
40 pts
Excellent
Essay clearly answers the prompt. The historical evidence given to back up statements and ideas are very detailed and specific, historically accurate, and demonstrate a deep understanding of the history, course materials, and the prompt. The argument is clear and logical.
32 pts
Very Good
Essay clearly answers the prompt. The historical evidence given to back up statements is specific and ideas are historically accurate and sufficiently detailed to demonstrate a strong understanding of the history, course materials, and the prompt. The argument is mostly clear and logical.
28 pts
Needs Improvement
The essay does not clearly address the prompt and/or does not provide detailed historical examples as evidence and/or the historical evidence given to support statements and ideas demonstrate some misunderstandings of the course materials and the prompt and/or there are historical inaccuracies and/or argument lacks clarity and logic and/or summarized instead of analyzed

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Primary Sources
10 pts
Excellent
Three primary sources relevant to the prompt
7.5 pts
Very Good
Two primary sources relevant to the prompt
5 pts
Needs Improvement
1 relevant primary source
0 pts
Unacceptable
No primary sources or sources from outside assigned materials

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Secondary Sources
10 pts
Excellent
Three secondary sources are used clearly
7.5 pts
Very Good
Two secondary sources relevant to the prompt
5 pts
Needs Improvement
1 relevant source used
0 pts
Unacceptable
No secondary sources or sources used from outside of assigned materials

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Citations
5 pts
Excellent
Essay consistently used clear Turabian/Chicago style citations.
4 pts
Very Good
Essay uattempted use of Turabian/Chicago footnote citations with style problems
2 pts
Needs Improvement
Parenthetical citations and/or citation in a style other than Turabian/Chicago

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Spelling and Grammar and Mechanics
5 pts
Excellent
Essay contains no spelling and gramar errors and is mechanically sound.
4 pts
Very Good
Very few spelling or grammar errors which do not detract from the overall argument of the essay
2.5 pts
Needs Improvement
Essay contains too many grammatical or spelling errors – not up to freshman level college writing or does not meet length requirements and/or other mechanical requirements.

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