Name ________________
War of 1812 Essay
Due Monday, December 17
Use the documents that are on my
web site to prepare an essay arguing either that we should go to war against
Britain in 1812 or that we should not.
This should be a five-paragraph essay.
Write your essay as if you were writing it at the time for publication
in a newspaper to persuade the populace that the nation should take the action
you’re recommending. Do not take
advantage of your knowledge of how the war will turn out. Do not take an intermediate position trying
to argue both sides; you’re either passionately in favor of war or passionately
opposed to war.
If you quote from one of the
debate documents be sure to use the proper citation format that you have
learned in Language Arts
|
|
Possible Points |
Your Points |
|
Introduction: It
should engage the reader's interest, state your thesis and introduce the
major points you will be making. |
15 |
|
|
Body Paragraph One:
It should contain a topic sentence that goes to prove your thesis. It should use specific details,
explanations, examples, and quotations to support the topic sentence. It has only one main idea and does not
repeat what is said is elsewhere. Your point and supporting evidence
demonstrate knowledge of the period. Transitional devices connect the
paragraphs. |
15 |
|
|
Body Paragraph Two:
It should contain a topic sentence that goes to prove your thesis. It should use specific details,
explanations, examples, and quotations to support the topic sentence. It has only one main idea and does not
repeat what is said is elsewhere. Your point and supporting evidence
demonstrate knowledge of the period. Transitional devices connect the
paragraphs. |
15 |
|
|
Body Paragraph
Three: It should contain a topic sentence that goes to prove your
thesis. It should use specific
details, explanations, examples, and quotations to support the topic
sentence. It has only one main idea
and does not repeat what is said is elsewhere. Your point and supporting
evidence demonstrate knowledge of the period. Transitional devices connect
the paragraphs. |
15 |
|
|
Conclusion: It
should reestablish your thesis, summarize and/or evaluate your main points
and end with a powerful finish. |
15 |
|
|
Style and
Mechanics: You should employ accurate, appropriate language and well-designed
sentences. You should avoid spelling,
punctuation, and grammar/usage errors. |
25 |
|
|
TOTAL |
100 |
|
Notes
You will receive five points per day extra credit that your paper is early (maximum: ten points)
You will lose twenty
points per day that your paper is late.
Your paper must be
double-spaced with a 12 pt. font or you will lose 5 points.
This rubric must be
stapled on top of your paper or you will lose 5 points.