Name: _____________________________________Date: _____________
World Cultures
Unit 2: Africa
End of Apartheid DBQ ESSAY Rubric (100 points)
The 1980s was a critical decade in South African history. We begin the decade with
apartheid in full swing and seemingly unassailable. By the end of the decade it is clear change was inevitable.
In 1990 Nelson Mandela was released from prison to negotiate the end of White rule. This culminated in the
multi-racial democratic elections of 1994 which handed power to the ANC under Mandela.
Your task is to write a 5 paragraph essay explaining why apartheid became unsustainable during the
1980s. Use the documents and your class notes to help you. Make sure you actually quote the documents in
your essay. They are the “anchors” to hold down your arguments. Before you start, organize your thoughts
carefully. Construct a thesis and plan the three paragraphs you will use to “prove” your thesis in an outline.
Make sure that each paragraph has actual evidence to support your ideas.
Good Luck! 
Additional criteria for the essay not included in the rubric:
 Write in third person – avoid using first person (“I” and “We”) and second person (“you”)
 Avoid Passive voice
 Do not use contractions
 Do not begin sentences with conjunctions: but, and or, nor, for, so yet
 Do not pose any questions in any assignments. This means, quite literally, not to use questions. Make
statements instead.
 Do not use any form of direct address to the reader, such as "think about the fact that
 Use a scholarly tone
 Add title
Introduction - 20 points
Interesting Opener—5 points
Uses a strategy we discussed (quote, statistic,
anecdote, fact, etc.)
Background Information—5 points
Includes dates, location, and other general
information.
Thesis Statement—10 points
Divides the data found in the documents into three
categories
Clearly explains to the reader the subject of the essay
First Body Paragraph – 20 points
Topic Sentence—4 points
Relates directly back to the thesis statement because it
refers to one of the categories of evidence stated in the
thesis
Examples from Documents—15 points
The incorporation of the first quotation follows the
reason, context, quote, significance, process—8 points
The incorporation of the second quotation follows the
reason, context, quote, significance, process—8 points
COMMENTS
COMMENTS
Second Body Paragraph – 20 points
Topic Sentence—4 points
Relates directly back to the thesis statement because it
refers to one of the categories of evidence stated in the
thesis
Examples from Documents—16 points
The incorporation of the first quotation follows the
reason, context, quote, significance, process—8 points
The incorporation of the second quotation follows the
reason, context, quote, significance, process—8 points
Third Body Paragraph – 20 points
Topic Sentence—4 points
Relates directly back to the thesis statement because it
refers to one of the categories of evidence stated in the
thesis
Examples from Documents—16 points
The incorporation of the first and second quotation
follows the reason, context, quote, significance
process—8 points each
Conclusion – 20 points
Restatement of the Thesis—4 points
Thesis statement from the introduction is restated in
the same, or slightly different words
Summary of Major Ideas—8 points
The major ideas of your essay are summarized in the
conclusion; refer to topic sentence to help determine
the important topics
The Big Picture—8 points
Explain why the information mentioned in this essay
matters
Link to wider themes, concepts and/or essential
questions.
COMMENTS
COMMENTS
COMMENTS
TOTAL: _______/100
Essential Questions:
1.) Who has the wealth and how do they get it?
2.) Who has the power and how do they keep it?
3.) How does what we believe influence how we behave?
4.) How does identity contribute to one’s view of the world?
5.) How are a nation’s economic and political developments predetermined by geography?
6.) When does a regional issue become the world’s responsibility?
7.) How does the past influence the present?