AP US History

Thesis Mini-Workshop #2

Mr. Green

Directions:

  1. After considering the American Reform Movement Free Response prompt, individually read and rate each student thesis on the following scale:

1-3 (LOW) =Off Prompt to Poorly worded thesis – in need of major revision.

4-6 (MEDIUM) = Adequately worded thesis- in need of minor to moderate revision.

7-10 (HIGH) =Good to Excellent thesis – in need of minor to no revision.

  1. After rating all prompts, discuss which thesis/theses you consider to be in the “High” Range. What qualities can you identify which places each thesis in that range? Next, discuss which you consider to be in the “Low”, and what qualities place them in that range.
  2. Choose one Low or Medium prompt as a group, and edit the thesis to improve its rating. Be ready to share the results with the class, and commentary on what decisions were made to improve the thesis.

Prompt:

“American reform movements between 1820 and 1860 reflected both omptimistic and pessimistic views of human nature and society.” Assess the validity of this statement in reference to reform movements in 3 of the following areas:

·  Education

·  Women's rights

·  Utopian experiments

·  Temperance

·  Penal institutions

Thesis 1:

The quote that states that the “American reform movements between 1820 and 1860 reflected both optimistic and pessimistic views of human nature and society” is only partially a valid statement in reference to education reforms, Utopian experiments and penal institution reforms. The education and penal institution reforms were very optimistic, while Utopian experiments were mostly optimistic but also a little pessimistic.

Thesis 2:

“American reform movements between 1820 and 1860 reflected both optimistic and pessimistic views of human nature and society.” Utopian societies, penal institutions and education vividly show both optimistic and pessimistic views, but mostly ther was a “glass half-full” view on these reform movements.

Thesis 3:

The Second Great Awakening sparked a variety of reforms I the time between 1820 and 1860 that both gained support and was showered with criticism. Three major areas of reform were education, women's rights, and utopian experiments.

Thesis 4:

During the years 1820-1860, our nation experienced very large and sometimes labor intensive changes in many policies and societal mannerisms. Specifically movements to reform our education systems, temperance advocation and our penal institutions reflect how flawed these systems were and how great they would become.

Thesis 5:

The statement “American reform movements between 1820 and 1860 reflected both optimistic and pessimistic views of human nature and society” is extremely valid as shown in the inspiring movement for women's rights, the negative Utopian experiments and the unscrupulous issue of temperance.

Thesis 6:

During 1820 and 1860 American reform movements showed an optimistic view of human nature through women's rights while portraying a somber and pessimistic view of human nature and modern society through the temperance movement and formation of utopian societies.

Thesis Rewrite/Edit: