HIS: Analysis Paper 1

HIS 338 Analysis Paper Guidelines and Rubric

Overview Throughout this course you will critically examine primary sources. Be sure to read each source you choose to use fully, reading it a first time, then a second, even a third if necessary. As you review each source, ask yourself questions about the source:

 Who is the author and what is his or her place in society?

 What is the purpose of the piece? Why was it written?

 What values or ideas are behind the content in the source? How are they different from my own?

 Is the piece credible? Why or why not?

 Can the piece be used to support a historical debate? Why or why not? Your analysis will not directly answer all these questions. However, the picture that is painted by your response to these questions is essential in constructing your analysis of the source. You will apply these skills in developing two analysis papers in this course. Post any questions you have about the analysis papers to the General Questions discussion topic. Note that you may use any of the sources you used for your analysis papers to support your annotated bibliography and narrative paper. However, if you elect to use these, the sources must specifically support your topic. Guidelines Your analysis papers will demonstrate your ability to investigate:

 The main issue or idea behind the assigned source(s)

 The strengths and weaknesses of the source (origin, author, purpose)

 The meaning and significance of the issue upon which the sources focus, answering the “why” and the “because” It is important to note that your analysis paper is not an opinion paper and should not contain your opinion on the events, but rather a thorough analysis of the information and historical context specific to the assignment instructions. You will support your analysis with appropriate secondary sources (research and citation), but the analysis should be your own and not reflect others’ interpretation of your selected source(s). Refer to the SNHU Shapiro Library History Guide to assist you not only in researching the author or the period of history in which the assigned source was constructed, but also in searching for and qualifying your supporting resources. Analysis Paper 1 (Due in Module Two) Examine Carol Sheriff’s The Artificial River. How does she characterize the political and social process of building the Erie Canal? Why does she describe the entire enterprise as an example of the “paradox of progress”? Remember, you should be using at least two other resources (primary or secondary) to support your analysis. This means your completed paper will have a total of three resources, at least one of them a primary resource.

Analysis Paper 2 (Due in Module Five) Walter Johnson examines the fluid nature of the domestic slave trade and its role in shaping a culture of slavery. Central to this culture was the fundamental reality that the slave person was a commodity to be bought and sold as the market demanded. Describe the effects of the practice of slave trading on the actors involved. How did the domestic slave trade help create the identities of the slave, the slaveholder, and the slave trader? Remember, you should be using at least two other resources (primary or secondary) to support your analysis. This means that your completed paper will have a total of three resources, at least two of them primary resources.

Rubric Analysis paper assignments should follow these formatting guidelines: 2–3 pages, double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, one-inch margins, and citations in Turabian format.

Critical Elements Exemplary (100%) Proficient (85%) Needs Improvement (55%) Not Evident (0%) Value

Analysis of the Argument

What is the issue?

Fully explains the historical debate, accurately distinguishing between fact and opinion in key points while thoroughly exploring reliability of author(s)

Explains historical debate with mostly accurate distinctions between fact and opinion in key points while examining reliability of author

Explains historical debate but with gaps related to accurate distinctions between fact and interpreted opinion in key points and reliability of author

Summarizes historical debate but does not offer any analysis related to distinctions between facts and opinions in key points and/or reliability of author

25

Historical Context What is the

significance of this issue?

Relates selected primary source to specific historical context in which it was written with specific supporting details

Relates selected primary source to specific historical context in which it was written with some details

Relates selected primary source to specific historical context in which it was written but with no detail

Does not relate selected primary source to specific historical context in which it was written

25

Research In addition to

assigned source(s)

Assembles and explains two or more relevant resources that clearly support learner’s analysis of the argument and interpretation of the historical context

Assembles and explains at least two relevant resources that support most of learner’s analysis of the argument and interpretation of the historical context

Assembles at least one additional relevant resource but does not sufficiently support learner’s analysis of the argument and interpretation of the historical context

No additional research, or sources used do not support learner’s analysis of the argument and interpretation of the historical context

20

Citation Quotes, paraphrases,

bibliography

All citations and sources are integrated and formatted accurately

At least 80% of citations and sources are integrated and formatted accurately

At least 70% of citations and sources are integrated and formatted accurately

Less than 70% of citations and sources are integrated effectively and formatted accurately

15

Writing Mechanics No errors related to grammar or organization

Errors of grammar and organization are marginal and rarely interrupt the flow

Errors of grammar and organization are limited enough that the paper is still able to be understood

Errors of grammar and organization make the paper difficult to understand

15

Earned Total

100%