The American Cause
Two Column Journals – AP U.S. Government and Politics
The American Cause Journal Entries
 Obtain a copy of The American Cause by Russell Kirk, edited by Gleaves Whitney
 Read the entire book: the Editor’s Introduction, all ten chapters and the Afterword
 Complete the two column journal in a chart like the one below with a minimum of 24
entries–this assignment must be typed
 The first column will include an excerpt, with the chapter and page number, chosen due
to its significance to you or the work as a whole.
 The second column is your response to this excerpt (explanation of why you chose it,
why it is significant, etc.)
Quote (with chapter & page reference)
Commentary
DO:
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Put a complete MLA header
A minimum of 2 quotes from the Introduction, each of the ten chapters and the Afterword
List entries in order as they appear in the book
Provide a minimum of 50 words per response (or at least 4 meaty complex/compound
sentences) in the commentary column in which you might explain why you chose this
particular excerpt, why it is significant, or why you agree or disagree with the author. It
could also include a personal question elicited by the excerpt. These entries should be a
reflection of your thoughts as you read the book and interact with the author(s)
AVOID:
 Taking excerpts out of context
 Entries that begin with: “this is…”, “in this quote/passage…”, “this quote shows…” or the
like.
 Superficial attempts at analysis or mere summarization of the passage.
Trying to complete this project a day or two before the due date is tedious and almost never
results in a satisfactory product (or grade)
This journal will count the same as a test, and should be submitted through Turnitin.com by the
third day of class. (Instructions will be given the first day of class).
Edited 2015
The American Cause
Two Column Journals – AP U.S. Government and Politics
Rubric for Dialectical Journal on The American Cause
Formatting
(15 points)
Quotes
(20 points)
Quality and
length of
commentary
(50 points)
Grammar and
Punctuation
(15 points)
Edited 2015
Name:___________________________________________
Score:______________
15-14
Format of MLA heading, journal, and
citations are 100% correct or only 1
minor mistake. At least 2 entries for
the introduction, each chapter and the
Afterword in order of appearance.
20-17
Quotes are long enough to understand
their context in the chapter, are of
significance to the author’s thesis, and
labeled with the chapter and page
number.
13-11
Format of MLA heading, journal, and
citations are 75% correct or no more
than 4 mistakes.
10-8
Format of MLA heading, journal, and
citations are 50% correct or more
than 5 mistakes.
7-0
Format of MLA heading, journal, and
citations are 25% correct with
numerous errors in formatting. Work
looks like it was done last minute.
16-13
Some quotes (less than 25%) may not
be long enough to understand their
context in the chapter and may not be
labeled with the chapter and page
number.
12-8
Half of the quotes may not be long
enough to understand their context
in the chapter and/or are not
labeled with the chapter and page
number.
7-0
Most quotes are not long enough to
understand their context in the
chapter and may not be labeled with
the chapter and page number Most
quotes are missing. Work looks like it
was done last minute.
50-45
Commentary consistently
demonstrates insight into the text.
Commentary is at least 4 solid
sentences. Analysis is thorough,
insightful and thought-provoking,
reflecting careful reading and
appropriate selection of examples.
Commentary relates directly to the
text provided, exploring the deeper
meaning of the book.
15-14
Virtually no spelling or punctuation
errors.
44-40
Commentary is insightful but could be
more thoroughly developed. For the
most part (75%), analysis is thorough,
insightful and thought provoking.
Commentary relates to the text
provided, but may boarder on surface
level analysis. Commentary is slightly
lacking in length.
39-30
Commentary is uneven and lacking
in development. The commentary
begins with “in this quote…” or “this
quote shows…” Entries (50%) are
somewhat insightful, reflecting
general reading comprehension
rather than thought-provoking
analysis. Commentary is significantly
lacking in length.
29-0
Little or no commentary. Severely
lacking in length and depth of
understanding. Confusing and
illogical. Work looks like it was done
last minute.
13-11
A few spelling/punctuation errors which
do not interfere with meaning.
10-8
A number of spelling/punctuation
errors which occasionally interfere
with meaning.
7-0
So many spelling and/or punctuation
errors that the paper is very difficult
to read.