Gr. 11 American History Independent Study Unit

Purpose

To provide students with the opportunity to see the richness of American history by studying a topic of interest.

Instructions

  1. Work individually.
  2. The focus of this independent study is on the process of acquiring, organizing, analyzing and evaluating information.
  3. The more current your resources generally the better the conclusions. Interviews with experts, periodical literature and newspapers are all excellent resources. Published non-fiction books are very good resources and the internet can be a good source if used properly i.e. reputable source
  4. The ISU outline & essay will worth 10 & 100 marks respectively with penalties for lateness.
  5. The final part of your Independent Study will involve a written component. It will be eight paragraphs (1250 - 1500 words) in length. Further details will be given to you after you have completed your outline.

Method of Evaluation

Essay Outline (due April 20 ‘07) 1%

Essay (due day May 11 ’07) 19%

Total 20%

Possible Essay Topics

1.  Were the American colonies justified in revolting against English rule?

2.  Could the American colonies have defeated the English without French support?

3.  Was the Declaration of Independence treason?

4.  Is the Constitution of the United States relevant today?

5.  Were the seeds of American problems today sown at its birth?

6.  Was slavery a necessary evil to allow America to prosper economically?

7.  Is the concept of Manifest Destiny justified?

8.  Was Abraham Lincoln America’s greatest President?

9.  Was victory by the Union army inevitable during the Civil War?

10.  Was Gettysburg the turning point in the Civil War?

11.  Did America win the war for the Allies in World War 1?

12.  Did America win the war for the Allies in World War 2?

13.  Was FDR America’s greatest President?

14.  Was America justified in dropping the atomic bomb on Japan?

15.  Was America economically, socially, politically and militarily at its peak in the 1950s?

16.  Was America justified in defending South Korea?

17.  Was American justified in defending South Vietnam?

18.  Did America lose the Vietnam War because of a lack of home front support?

19.  Did Lee Harvey Oswald kill President Kennedy?

20.  Was Martin Luther King successful at helping African Americans?

21.  Did Ronald Reagan win the Cold War?

  1. Is it good for America to be the world’s lone superpower?

Perfect Eight Paragraph Essay

Subtopic Order

  1. 2nd strongest point
  2. 3rd strongest point
  3. Strongest point

Ø  Size 12 font, Times New Roman

Ø  Eight paragraphs – 1 intro / 3 x 2 = 6 subtopics / 1 conclusion

Introductory Paragraph

Ø  Catchy phrase

Ø  Mike grew up in a good family that emphasized strong moral values. Mike likes white shirts because he is holy, pure and virtuous.

Perfect Paragraph

Ø  Topic Sentence – Mike likes white shirts because he is holy

Ø  Explaining Sentence – Holiness has often been linked to the colour white

Ø  Evidence – chart, graph, quote, statistics, picture

Ø  Analysis – The chart above shows the relationship between holiness and the colour white

Ø  Concluding Sentence – leads into the next paragraph by wrapping up and leading

ISU ESSAY OUTLINE

PLANNING THE 8 PARAGRAPH ESSAY

Student(s):______Achievement: Application Total: ___ Marks

Paragraph 1 (Introductory Paragraph)

Background Information:

Controversial Question:

Thesis Statement:

Sub-Topics:

1)
2)
3)

Paragraph 2 (Sub-Topic 1 Counter Argument)

Major Idea:______

Evidence:

1)
2)
3)

Footnotes (sources):

1)
2)
3)

Concluding Sentence:

Paragraph 3 (Sub-Topic 1)

Major Idea:______

Evidence:

1)
2)
3)

Footnotes (sources):

1)
2)
3)

Concluding Sentence:

Paragraph 4 (Sub-Topic 2 Counter Argument)

Major Idea:______

Evidence:

1)
2)
3)

Footnotes (sources):

1)
2)
3)

Concluding Sentence:

Paragraph 5 (Sub-Topic 2)

Major Idea:______

Evidence:

1)
2)
3)

Footnotes (sources):

1)
2)
3)

Concluding Sentence:

Paragraph 6 (Sub-Topic 3 Counter Argument)

Major Idea:______

Evidence:

1)
2)
3)

Footnotes (sources):

1)
2)
3)

Concluding Sentence:

Paragraph 7 (Sub-Topic 3)

Major Idea:______

Evidence:

1)
2)
3)

Footnotes (sources):

1)
2)
3)

Concluding Sentence:

Paragraph 8 (Conclusion)

Summary of Sub-Topics:

Restate the Thesis:

Positive, moral, lesson learned sentence:

Working Bibliography: (Write down at least 4 sources in FULL BIBLIOGRAPHIC FORMAT)

Essay Evaluation Form

Student(s) Name(s): ______

Essay Topic: ______

Criteria

/ Level 1 (50-59) / Level 2 (60-69) / Level 3 (70-79) / Level 4 (80-100) / Mks
Introduction / Thesis / -weak introduction of topic, thesis & subtopics
-thesis is weak and lacks an arguable position / -adequate introduction that states topic , thesis and some of the subtopics
- thesis is somewhat clear and arguable / -proficient introduction that states topic, thesis, and all subtopics in proper order
- thesis is a clear and arguable statement of position / -exceptional introduction that grabs interest of reader and states topic, thesis, and all subtopics in proper order
- thesis is exceptionally clear, arguable, well developed, and a definitive statement / /10
Quality of Information / Evidence / -limited information on topic with lack of research, details or historically accurate evidence / -some aspects of paper is researched with some accurate evidence from limited sources / -paper is well researched in detail with accurate & critical evidence from a variety of sources / -paper is exceptionally researched, extremely detailed and historically accurate with critical evidence from a wide variety of sources / /20
Support of Ideas / Analysis / -limited connections made between evidence, subtopics, counterarguments & thesis / topic
-lack of analysis / -some connections made between evidence, subtopics, counterarguments & thesis / topic showing analysis / -consistent connections made between evidence, subtopics, counterarguments & thesis / topic showing good analysis / -exceptionally critical, relevant and consistent connections made between evidence, subtopics, counter-arguments & thesis / topic showing excellent analysis / /20
Organization / Development of Ideas / -paper lacks clear and logical development of ideas with weak transition b/w ideas and paragraphs / -somewhat clear and logical development of subtopics with adequate transitions b/w paragraphs / -clear and logical subtopic order that supports thesis with good transitions b/w paragraphs / -exceptionally clear, logical, mature, and thorough development of subtopics that support thesis with excellent transition b/w paragraphs / /10
Conclusion / -lack of summary of topic, thesis & subtopics with weak concluding ideas / -adequate summary of topic, thesis and some subtopics with some final concluding ideas / -good summary of topic, thesis and all subtopics with clear concluding ideas / -excellent summary of topic (with no new information), thesis & all subtopics in proper order with concluding ideas that leave an impact on reader / /10
Language Conventions / - inconsistent grammar, spelling and paragraphing throughout paper / -paper has some errors in grammar, spelling and paragraphing / -paper is clear, with mostly proper grammar, spelling and paragraphing / -paper is very concise, clear, with consistently proper grammar, spelling and paragraphing / /15
Footnotes / -inconsistent use of footnotes with limited details and improper format / - sometimes inconsistent use of footnotes with limited details / -consistent & correct format inserted to validate evidence / -proper detailed format always used consistently & correctly to validate evidence in paper / /10
Bibliography / -lack of proper format and limited details with many sources missing or incomplete / -some errors in MLA format with most sources shown and a variety of sources / -mostly proper MLA format used in alphabetical order with all sources shown and a variety of sources / -proper, detailed MLA format always used in alphabetical order with all sources shown and a wide variety of sources / /5
Comments: Total: /100