1200 word essay by Friday the 19th

Construct an essay based on the questions below. Each

answer must be 300-600 words (total 600-1200 words). You

must use your online textbooks and Biography of America and

US History Crash Course videos to complete this exam. YOU

ARE NOT ALLOWED TO USE ANY OTHER SOURCES! Do not cut

and paste from the textbooks, internet or any other source.

Write in your own words! Do not submit pages files or

Google Docs! you will lose so many points due to plagiarism!

Turn it in will be used to verify.

1. Discuss the causes of the Civil War. Cite as many facts as possible

to back up your analysis

2. Explain the causes of the Mexican War and its impact on

sectionalism.

PLEASE FOLLOW THIS RUBIC.

“A” Excellent “B” Good “C” Fair

Introduction-20pts

Setting Thesis Statement

Road Map 3 clear map points/subtopics

Introduction places the essay in specific time

and place, begins with a broad opening

statement, has a clear, accurate, and analytical thesis and a detailed organizational statement. In addition, thesis is specific and

comprehensive (fully answers the question/ answers all parts of the question.)

The Introduction contains an acceptable

thesis AND a detailed organizational

statement. Thesis is clear, analytical, and completely

and accurately answers the question.

The introduction contains an

acceptable

thesis OR a detailedorganizational statement. Thesis is clear but simplistic.

Topic Sentences-20 pts Should be mini versions of

the thesis statement and

comparative statements if

necessary

All topic sentences are accurate, specific,

clearly answer the question, clearly support the

thesis, and follow the pattern in the

organizational statement

Most of the topic sentences are accurate,

clearly answer the question, clearly support

the thesis, and contain analysis.

Topic sentences are accurate, clearly

support the thesis, but lacks analysis

or specificity. Topic sentences are

too vague.

Evidence-20 pts

Accurate Relevant

There is an abundant amount of supporting evidence that is accurate, relevant, and clearly

supports the thesis statement and topic

sentences. Relevant evidence is thoroughly explained and analyzed. (6-8 supporting facts

per paragraph)

There is an adequate amount of supporting evidence. Most of the supporting evidence is

accurate, relevant, and supports the thesis

statement and topic sentences. There is some relevant explanation and analysis. (3-

5 supporting facts per paragraph)

There is some supporting evidence that is accurate and somewhat

supports the thesis statement and

topic sentences. Evidence is explained but needs more analysis.

Sufficient Amount

Transition/ Clincher

Sentences 20pts

Each body paragraph contains a transition

sentence that makes a

clear connectionbetween the two paragraphs. The last body paragraph has a

clincher sentence that clearly sums up the

information in that paragraph.

Each body paragraph contains a transition

sentence but does not make a

clear connection between the two

paragraphs. The last body paragraph has a

clincher sentence that clearly sums up the

information in that paragraph.

Each body paragraph contains a

transition sentence that lets the

reader know the topic of the next body paragraph or a clincher

sentence that clearly sums up the

information in that paragraph.

Conclusion 20pts

The conclusion clearly re-states the thesis,

summarizes the main points of the essay and mirrors the intro w/o repeating it verbatim.

The conclusion clearly re-states the thesis

and summarizes the main points of the

essay.

The conclusion simply re-states the

thesis.

**Analysis means to explain how or why. **Clearly should be interpreted as free of grammatical and stylistic errors. **Essay should be written in theactive voice and in the past tense. Do NOT use

contractions; Write in the third person/ Do NOT use “I” or “you;” IS=Incomplete Sentence; - = missing; check = present; TS= Topic Sentence; CS – Clincher Sentence; TR=Transition Sentence; WC=Word

Choice; RP= Re-phrase; AWK=Sentence Structure is Awkward; ? = I don’t understand what you are trying to say/ confusing/ not clear; ok=okay, average, could be better; 1= 1 st subtopic/map point; 2=

2ndsubtopic/map point; 3= 3rd subtopic/map point; AV= use the active voice; SV= subject/verb agreement;

“A” Excellent “B” Good “C” Fair “D” Poor “F”

Introduction-20pts

Setting Thesis Statement

Road Map 3 clear map points/subtopics

Introduction places the essay in specific time and place, begins

with a broad opening statement,

has a clear, accurate, and analytical thesis and

adetailed organizational

statement. In addition, thesis is specific and

comprehensive (fully answers the

question/ answers all parts of the question.)

The Introduction contains an acceptable thesis AND a

detailedorganizational statement. Thesis is clear, analytical, and completely and accurately

answers the question.

The introduction contains an acceptable

thesis OR a detailedorganizational

statement. Thesis is clear but simplistic.