Name_____________________

Colonial Essay

Thesis Statement and Outline – Due Friday, August 31,

Rough Draft – Due Thursday, September 6 (double homework grade)

Final Draft – Due Monday, September 10 (test grade: 20 pts off for each day it’s late, 3 pts. extra credit if you turn it in on Friday, September 7.)

Write an essay comparing three different aspects of the Southern and New England colonies in a five-paragraph essay. You might choose to compare the colonies in their religions, politics, labor forces, economics, geography and/or their social structures. Your paper should have a thesis statement that is broad enough to encompass the points that you’re going to make, yet is not too general so as to say nothing. Your thesis statement should be something that can be argued on either side. You will need to make three separate points and then write a strong conclusion that summarizes, in new language, your three main points. Your paper must be typed.

Task	Possible Points	Your Points
Introduction: Your introduction should have a thesis statement that is provable, mention three categories of proof, and open in an interesting manner.	15
First Body Paragraph: This paragraph should have a link to the previous paragraph. There should be a topic sentence that supports the paper’s thesis statement and provide three pieces of supporting evidence for the paragraph’s point. It should not be repetitious of your other points in the paper.	18
Second Body Paragraph: This paragraph should have a link to the previous paragraph. There should be a topic sentence that supports the paper’s thesis statement and provide three pieces of supporting evidence for the paragraph’s point. It should not be repetitious of your other points in the paper.	18
Third Body Paragraph: This paragraph should have a link to the previous paragraph. There should be a topic sentence that supports the paper’s thesis statement and provide three pieces of supporting evidence for the paragraph’s point. It should not be repetitious of your other points in the paper.	18
Conclusion: There should be a transition from the previous paragraph. The conclusion should include summary statements of your main points from your body paragraphs as well as a restatement of your thesis statement. You must use different language from elsewhere in your paper. The conclusion should end with a strong “so what?” sentence that expresses why your point is important.	15
Language Mechanics: You should have no spelling, grammar or punctuation errors. There should be no problems with sentence structure and you should use appropriate language for a formal essay.	16
Total	100

This rubric must be stapled to the front of your essay when you turn it in or you will automatically lose five points from your total. Also, you must staple your outline, rough draft and peer review sheet at the back of your paper or you will lose five points.