Essay

Expository Writing Assignment

History 2111, Section 2H

Instructions: Choose one of the topics we have examined in class throughout the semester. Using the sources found under the Content tab on D2L (all the sources which were used for that topic), construct a 4-5 page paper which has a clearly stated thesis and provides evidence taken from those sources. This assignment is valued at 15% of the semester grade.

Due Date: May , 2019, turned in during class.

Format: Printed (hard-copy), with lines double-spaced, using 12-point Times-New Roman font, with 1-inch margins on all sides, and with page numbers at the bottoms of the pages. Pages must be stapled before turning in.

Length: Words must fill at least 75% of the fourth page, but no more than 50% of the fifth page. Title pages and illustrations are unnecessary but, if used, will not count as part of the required length.

Citation Style: In-text, parenthetical citations in the form of Author, page number. For example: Suzanne Hilton states that “Indoor shoes for girls had pointed toes. Outdoor walking shoes had square toes and were more roomy, but a girl could not just slip her feet into them and walk away.” (Hilton, 120). Bibliographies are not necessary. Additional sources are not recommended.

General Rubric:

Instructions Followed: 25%

If the paper is turned in on time and formatted correctly according to the above instructions, full credit will be given. If the student chooses to deviate from the instructions, a full 25% penalty will be immediately assessed.

Clearly Stated Thesis: 25%

Within the first paragraph there should be a clearly stated thesis which is appropriate to the topic and which is upheld by the evidence provided in the following paragraphs.

Usage of Evidence: 25%

The thesis statement must be supported by multiple examples taken from multiple sources associated with the chosen topic. The evidence, as frequently as possible, should be stated in the student’s own word, so as to avoid a paper which merely strings several quotations together. The evidence should be cited so that the instructor can ascertain the accuracy of the statement.

Written Communication: 25%

The paper should exhibit collegiate-level mastery of spelling, grammar, and vocabulary. The best papers will have clearly- and carefully-developed themes which support the thesis, and evidence will be seamlessly contained within those themes.