Graduate history (Turabian Format with footnotes and in text citing page numbers)

Review the Federalist Papers and Anti-Federalist Papers in a historical setting. Think about whether, after reading these essay, you would vote to ratify the Constitution as is, vote against ratification, or vote to ratify only upon amendment with a bill of rights. This will be your thesis.

Prepare a short persuasive essay in which you present your argument, and discuss the arguments made by the two sources. Was the Constitution an abandonment of revolutionary democratic principles and a return to centralized government? Were the branches properly balanced in power? Was the President too like a king? Would the central government control the people's lives, or would the states be able to check the exercise of federal power? You should use sources beyond the papers themselves to help you evaluate the arguments in their proper historical perspective.

Suggested paper length is 6-9 pages; this is a guide only, and students should ensure they address all elements of the assignment with sufficient supporting details to prove their theses.
 

Basic Criteria for upper level written assignments

1

2

3

4

5

100 pts. or %

Unsatisfactory

Poor

Adequate

Good

Superior

Introduction and Thesis Statement

Introduction contains clear thesis statement

No clear introduction or thesis statement in introduction

Introduction and/or Thesis statement of limited clarity

Introduction and/or Thesis statement mostly clear

Introductionestablishes thesis clearly to topic

Introductioncontains clear thesis and relevance

10

Organization and Body of essay used to present evidence in research findings  length/ required pages

Evidence of research not passable or logical in sequence

Quality and quantity of evidence limited; sequence weak

Quality and quantity of evidence limited;sequence weak

Good quantity and quality of evidence;sequence mostly logical

Quality and quantity are sound; sequencelogical

30

Historical analysis

Evidence to support thesis statement or argument made

Demonstratedanalysis skills not passable

Limited recognition of historical significance

Adequate recognition of historical significance

Very good recognition of historical significance

Thorough andperceptive recognition ofhistorical significance

30

Conclusion

Concluding statement used to summarize research findings

Conclusion notpresent and/or not consistent with facts presented

Conclusion haslimited connection to facts presented

Adequate conclusion;consistent with some key facts

Good conclusion;consistent with most key facts

Sound conclusion;fully supportable

5

Writing Style and Grammar

Effective use oflanguage and punctuation

Use of language not passable nor proper use of punctuation

Limited use of proper spelling, grammar and sentence structure

Adequate use of spelling; grammar and sentence structure weak at times

Spelling and grammar used well; sentence structure awkward 

Spelling, grammar and sentencestructure all usedeffectively

10

Use of footnotes and bibliography to credit primary and secondary sources; correct use of Chicago/ Turabian

Sources not evident nor properly credited

Limited use offootnotes andbibliography to credit sources

Footnotes andbibliography used, sources adequate

Good sources used; all sources credited

Excellent sources used; all sources well-credited

10

Timeliness of Submission

<48 hours late

<40 hours late

<30 hours late

<20 hours late

<10 hours late

5