A.S.P.I.R.E. Essay
Roaring 1920s VERSUS the Great Depression of the 1930s
A.S.P.I.R.E = Six themes help to categorize history.
A.—arts (artistic trends, masterpieces, music, entertainment)
S.—society (values, expectations, norms, structure/hierarchy)
P.—politics (gov’t role, type, philosophy, policies, major issues and changes)
I.—intellectual (ideas, movements, ways of thinking)
R.—religion (types, importance)
E.—economy (type, status, resources)
Purpose:
Practice research and writing skills to plan and write a compare and contrast essay on two eras of
American history—the Roaring 1920s and the Great Depression. A.S.P.I.R.E. is an acronym that enables
historians (like you!) to categorize events, ideas, and people so they may understand and interpret history.
Using this acronym to compile data, then a venn diagram, historians can juxtapose the two eras. From here,
they can draw conclusions about the who/what/where/when/why, and how of history. This is a part of the
process they use to research topics and write a (HI)story about it. Get it?
Resources:
Class materials (notes, videos, textbook, guided readings, primary documents packet, PPTs)
A.S.P.I.R.E. chart
Venn Diagram
Do’s and Don’ts Writing Guide
Time:
This is a 2nd Marking Period Project. It is to be completed primarily outside of class. On rare
occasions, class time will be available for teacher’s advice and guidance, as well as computer usage. Student
may ask for help anytime before or after other classes. You should begin immediately during Unit 5 on the
Roaring 1920s and the Great Depression.—or earlier. The due date is 1/16.
Directions:
1. Follow the conventions of the Do’s and Don’ts Writing Guide issued to you earlier this year.
2. Use class materials, your background knowledge, and websites (if needed) to gather data on the
A.S.P.I.R.E. charts. The more data you have on the charts, the easier the writing will be.
3. Transfer the data to a venn diagram labeled as the Roaring 1920s---Great Depression.
4. Make a conclusion based on the facts. What is your thesis statement (i.e. main argument
written in a sentence that answers the question: ‘Are the two eras more similar or different?’) Do you
have evidence to prove your thesis? If yes, then continue to step 5. If no, then you have the wrong thesis
statement. Reconsider the facts and make a new thesis statement. The thesis statement should be
underlined on the final essay.
5. Outline an introduction, body, and conclusion. You will turn this in with the final version.
6. Add details (from your venn diagram) to the outline. If you take direct quotes or ideas from other
sources, cite them in “Works Cited” page attached on the back of your final essay.
7. Write. Re-write. Write. Re-write. Writing is a process. Do not be satisfied with your first draft.
8. Have a parent or peer review it based on the rubric below. Handwrite his or her name on the
bottom of the Works Cited page or the last page of your final essay.
9. No Title Page and no page limit. On page one, in the top left hand corner, put your name, my name,
the class period, and due date of 1/16. Center your CREATIVE title above the introduction. All double
spaced, size 12 font, Times New Roman ONLY. Follow the Do’s and Don’ts Writing Guide.
Rubric: FOCUS’D
15pts
F
Focused on A.S.P.I.R.E.
Thesis is underlined. ASPIRE is addressed.
15pts
O
Organized
Introduction, body, conclusion
15pts
C
Conventions
Proper grammar, spelling, paragraph form, transitional
phrases, and the Do’s/Don’ts Writing Guide are all used
15pts
U
Understanding is Clear
Writer’s comprehension is clear and thorough. Obvious that
the write took time, concern, and effort to craft the essay
15pts
S
Style
Proper sentence structure, best word choice, examples are used
to prove your thesis, when read--‘it flows’
25pts
‘D
Diagrams are attached
Two A.S.P.I.R.E. charts, venn diagram, and outline are used
and attached