BIOGRAPHY REVIEW US HISTORY 1

ANDERSEN UNITED STATES HISTORY I SPRING 2019

1

BIOGRAPHY ASSIGNMENT Overview: It has been proven that writing in history class helps students learn and retain information. Academic biographies are especially useful for this purpose due to their format and use of primary source materials. Thus the intention of this assignment is to familiarize students with United States history by writing an informed and articulate review of a specific American biography. All components of this assignment are directed towards the completion of critical review of a major biography in United States history. Instructions: Students are free to choose their own topics, subject to my approval. I encourage students to choose topics that personally interest them. For example, students interested in politics may wish to select a president like Andrew Jackson or Abraham Lincoln. It is your responsibility to do some preliminary research on your subject and consult with me before you begin your project. Once you have chosen your topic, you must choose a book. Students are free to select a book of their own choosing, subject to my approval. Books should be around three hundred pages in length and from a reputable publisher (such as an academic or major commercial press.) At the end of this document is a list of pre- approved books.

Your paper itself a critical analysis of the book that you have read. The review may be positive, negative, or qualified. You must analyze (not just summarize) the book’s structure and argument, use of source materials, readability, and overall usefulness to people in learning about United States history through the life of your subject. Papers should be free of grammatical and typographical errors.

Required format: • Font – Use either Times New Roman (12pt), Calibri (11pt), or Arial (11pt). • Margins – 1 inch margins all around • Page numbers starting with 1 at the bottom and centered on each page after the cover sheet. • Double-space, do not include extra spacing between paragraphs. • Reviews should be at least three full pages. There is no maximum length. The cover sheet and works cited do not

count towards the three page minimum. • Name, full title of book review prefixed with “Review of,” course information (class and section number), and

date should be single spaced, center aligned, and placed in middle of the cover sheet. Example:

Jack D. Andersen Review of American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House

HIST 1301-21300 October 28, 2019

• The essay should be organized into multiple paragraphs including an introduction, body paragraphs, and a

conclusion. • All citations, including the works cited page, should be in accordance with the Chicago Manual of Style, 16th

Edition. MLA, APA, or any other format is not acceptable. • Please refer to the Writing Guide handout for advice on style.

Due Date: Please refer to the syllabus for the due date. I will not accept late work or papers emailed to me without prior arrangement.

ANDERSEN UNITED STATES HISTORY I SPRING 2019

2

GRADING RUBRIC

0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Addresses the topic

(Weight 20%)

Essay does not answer the specific topic.

Essay substantially digresses from the specific topic.

Essay addresses the topic in part but leaves several questions unanswered.

Essay mostly answers the specific topic.

Essay completely answers the specific topic.

Evidence

(Weight 40%)

Essay does not incorporate any pertinent information from primary and secondary sources. There is no support for the argument.

Essay does not incorporate information from primary and secondary sources, or does so minimally and/or irrelevantly. Evidence presents little support to the argument.

Essay does not adequately incorporate information from primary and secondary sources, may rely on unsupported statements or generalities. Evidence offers some support to the student’s argument.

Essay incorporates some information from primary and secondary sources but could incorporate more. Evidence is moderately supportive of the student’s argument.

Essay incorporates detailed information from primary or secondary sources.

Evidence used clearly support the student’s argument.

Organization (Weight 20%)

Essay lacks any recognizable organization.

Essay has significant problems with clarity and organization.

Information in the essay is sometimes unclear and/or has significant organization problems

Presents information fairly clearly and concisely with few organizational problems.

Presents all information clearly and concisely in an organized manner.

Formatting Requirements

(Font, line spacing, margins, citations)

(Weight 10%)

Does not meet formatting requirements.

Meets some formatting requirements.

Meets all formatting requirements.

Grammar and Spelling

(Weight 10%)

Numerous grammar and spelling errors OR failed to attend the Writing Center.

Moderate grammar and spelling errors.

Little to no grammar and spelling errors.

ANDERSEN UNITED STATES HISTORY I SPRING 2019

3

APPROVED BOOKS Below is a list of suggested books for students. Books not on this list will require my approval before students may use them for their biography assignments. Akers, Charles. Abigail Adams: A Revolutionary American Woman Banner, Lois. Elizabeth Cady Stanton: A Radical for Women’s Rights Bringhurst, Newll. Brigham Young and the Expanding American Frontier Campbell, Randolph. Sam Houston and the American Southwest Chernow, Ron. Alexander Hamilton Cooper, William. Jefferson Davis, American Edmunds, David. Tecumseh and the Quest for Indian Leadership Ellis, Joseph. American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson Ellis, Joseph. Passionate Sage: The Character and Legacy of John Adams Fowler, William. Samuel Adams: Radical Puritan Green, Constance. Eli Whitney and the Birth of American Technology Handlin, Oscar and Lilian Handlin. Abraham Lincoln and the Union Hall, Timothy. Anne Hutchinson: Puritan Prophet Haynes, Sam. James K. Polk and the Expansionist Impulse Morgan, Edmund. The Puritan Dilemma: The Story of John Winthrop Meacham, Jon. American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House Niven, John. John C. Calhoun and the Price of Union Rakov, Jack. James Madison and the Creation of the American Republic Stites, John Marshall: Defender of the Constitution