Reconstruction Essay

Sources: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/reconstruction/index.html, http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/reconstruction/plantation/sf_myths.html, http://www.colorado.edu/AmStudies/lewis/2010/failure.htm#Bureau, http://www.historyteacher.net/AHAP/Weblinks/AHAP_Weblinks14.htm

Background: Understanding the Reconstruction era is vital to understanding both the Civil War and the nation that followed from it. Reconstruction addresses issues of power and authority, trust and betrayal, racism and friendship. It is seen as both a failure and a success. Reconstruction defined the America of its time, and it necessitated the Civil Rights Movement over 100 years later.

Assignment: Working in groups, you are going to practice collaborative writing using both the class wiki and the discussion forum. Your task is to take a position on ‘Reconstruction: Failure or Success?’ and defend it with extensive use of primary sources and outside evidence. You may work with up to five people in your group. You will create a wiki page for your Reconstruction essay. You will also use the discussion forum on the wiki page to share information as well as your writing strategy. Each member must demonstrate equal work. All of your collaborations must be documented online. You will also have printed research material. This essay will be due on Monday, December 8th. Good luck!

Evaluation: You will use the DBQ Rubric (http://www.engineofsouls.com/file-265.pdf) as well as the following rubric for guidance.

CATEGORY	4 - Above Standards	3 - Meets Standards	2 - Approaching Standards	1 - Below Standards
Position Statement	The position statement provides a clear, strong statement of the author's position on the topic.	The position statement provides a clear statement of the author's position on the topic.	A position statement is present, but does not make the the author's position clear.	There is no position statement.
Focus or Thesis Statement	The thesis statement names the topic of the essay and outlines the main points to be discussed.	The thesis statement names the topic of the essay.	The thesis statement outlines some or all of the main points to be discussed but does not name the topic.	The thesis statement does not name the topic AND does not preview what will be discussed.
Support for Position	Includes 10 or more pieces of evidence (facts, statistics, examples, real-life experiences) that support the position statement. The writer anticipates the reader's concerns, biases or arguments and has provided at least 1 counter-argument.	Includes 8 or more pieces of evidence (facts, statistics, examples, real-life experiences) that support the position statement.	Includes 6 pieces of evidence (facts, statistics, examples, real-life experiences) that support the position statement.	Includes 4 or fewer pieces of evidence (facts, statistics, examples, real-life experiences).
Evidence and Examples	All of the evidence and examples are specific, relevant and explanations are given that show how each piece of evidence supports the author's position.	Most of the evidence and examples are specific, relevant and explanations are given that show how each piece of evidence supports the author's position.	At least one of the pieces of evidence and examples is relevant and has an explanation that shows how that piece of evidence supports the author's position.	Evidence and examples are NOT relevant AND/OR are not explained.
Sequencing	Arguments and support are provided in a logical order that makes it easy and interesting to follow the author's train of thought.	Arguments and support are provided in a fairly logical order that makes it reasonably easy to follow the author's train of thought.	A few of the support details or arguments are not in an expected or logical order, distracting the reader and making the essay seem a little confusing.	Many of the support details or arguments are not in an expected or logical order, distracting the reader and making the essay seem very confusing.
Transitions	A variety of thoughtful transitions are used. They clearly show how ideas are connected	Transitions show how ideas are connected, but there is little variety	Some transitions work well, but some connections between ideas are fuzzy.	The transitions between ideas are unclear OR nonexistant.
Sources	All sources used for quotes, statistics and facts are credible and cited correctly in the bibliography.	All sources used for quotes, statistics and facts are credible and most are cited correctly in the bibliography.	Most sources used for quotes, statistics and facts are credible and cited correctly in the bibliography.	Many sources are suspect (not credible) AND/OR are not cited correctly in the bibliography.
Audience	Demonstrates a clear understanding of the potential reader and uses appropriate vocabulary and arguments. Anticipates reader's questions and provides thorough answers appropriate for that audience.	Demonstrates a general understanding of the potential reader and uses vocabulary and arguments appropriate for that audience.	Demonstrates some understanding of the potential reader and uses arguments appropriate for that audience.	It is not clear who the author is writing for.

mreverett2007	Latest page update: made by mreverett2007 , Dec 2 2008, 10:13 PM EST (about this update About This Update Edited by mreverett2007 view changes - complete history)
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