Primary Source Essay #2, 14% (Due: May 11)
Read carefully the primary source document, Malcolm X, “The Ballot or the Bullet,” and write a well-organized essay that analyses the significant historical or contemporary issue, idea, movement, event, institution, or societies it discusses. You should completely answer each of the following questions:
Construct a thesis (central or main argument), using specific details from the primary source (s) document to support that thesis.
Who wrote this document, when was it written, why was it written, and who was the intended audience? What core historical concepts relating to American history are discussed in this document? Be specific and identify terms and concepts we have learned in the course.
Critically analyze the perspectives the author brought to his/her subject. What in the author’s background or experience produced that mindset?
What does this document reveal about the social, political, economic problems, progress, or promise during the period in which it was produced?
Instructions:
Ø The paper should be 3-4 pages in length, typewritten, double-spaced and paginated.
Ø The paper should have a title.
Ø The paper should contain a clear statement of thesis which should be included in the introduction, followed by a narrative that explicates the thesis, concluding with summation or restatement of the thesis.
Ø The paper should be free of grammatical, spelling and syntactical errors.
Ø The paper should contain at least 4 different quotes from the primary source (s) provided.
Levels correspond roughly to letter grades (4 = A, 1 = F), although criteria will vary somewhat depending upon the nature and level of the class.
Level
Criteria
4
Well-developed thesis directly addressing the topic.
Persuasive analysis of the topic, addressing all parts of the topic; analysis demonstrates thorough understanding of all sides of a question (as appropriate).
Outstanding grasp of general historical issues raised by topic.
Numerous specific examples demonstrate detailed knowledge of relevant history.
Extremely well organized, with a clear introduction, argument, and conclusion.
Well written in appropriate standard English; few grammatical errors or colloquialisms.
3
Clear thesis addressing the topic.
Good analysis of the topic, addressing most parts of the topic; analysis demonstrates understanding of all sides of a question (as appropriate), though may be unevenly developed.
Good grasp of general historical issues raised by topic.
Several specific examples demonstrate good knowledge of relevant history.
Well organized, with an introduction, argument, and conclusion.
Clearly written in appropriate standard English; some grammatical errors or colloquialisms.
2
Thesis indicates some aspect of the topic; more a restatement of than a point about the topic.
Analysis of the topic, addressing most parts of the topic; analysis adequate but unevenly developed.
Some grasp of general historical issues raised by topic, though some significant issues may be omitted.
Some specific examples demonstrate knowledge of relevant history; some clearly relevant examples omitted.
Contains at least two of the following: introduction, argument, and conclusion; organization may be somewhat unclear.
Understandable, but contains several grammatical errors or colloquialisms.
1
No discernible thesis and/or serious misunderstanding of the topic.
Descriptive rather than analytical; marginally related to the topic; significant logical gaps.
Little grasp of general historical issues raised by topic.
Few and/or erroneous specific examples demonstrate little knowledge of relevant history.
Poorly organized: no clear introduction, argument, or conclusion.
Pattern of grammatical errors and/or inappropriate colloquialisms.