World War II
Name:_________
Block: _______
Research Portfolio and Essay Academic
USII.7
Overview: What kind of project is this?
During the World War II unit, students will be researching and writing about
different parts/aspects of the war that they choose. Students will use words and
images to create a research portfolio on important parts/aspects of World War II.
Students will then use their portfolios to write an essay.

Inside and Outside of history class students will focus on gathering and
processing information and images from primary and secondary sources to
provide the “research” for the portfolio.
Read the following directions for your portfolio carefully.
Sources for Part 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5: Where do I get my information?
Part
Part
Part
Part
Part

1:
2:
3:
4:
5:
1
1
1
2
1
Primary
Primary
Primary
Primary
Primary
Primary source A firsthand or eyewitness account or piece of evidence from
someone who actually lived through the historical event.
o Example: Pictures
o Example: Interviews and Oral Histories





Source (Picture) and 1 Secondary Source
Source (Picture) and 2 Secondary Sources
Source (Picture) and 2 Secondary Sources
Sources (Picture/Interview) and 2 Secondary Sources
Source (Picture)
http://www.wwiimemorialfriends.org/voices-of-wwii/video-search
http://www.ushmm.org/remember/the-holocaust-survivors-and-victims-resource-center/survivors-andvictims/survivor-testimonies
http://www.va-holocaust.com/content/oral-histories
http://www.international.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=20488
Secondary source
o Example: Class notes and power point, Textbook, WWII Storybook, Safari
Videos
o Example: Books or DATA BASE articles on WWII from the school library.
See Library Password Handout
Cite all Primary and Secondary sources in MLA format.
See “How to Cite my Sources” power point on your teacher’s website.
1
Part 1: Introduction
Due: See Due Date Sheet
Steps to follow:
Lead: Create a hook that grabs your reader's
attention.
Give an introduction to the war including basic details
(who, what, when, where, why?).
Include a thesis statement, or claim about WWII, that
introduces each of the topics that you will address in your
portfolio.
Cite your writing and picture source in MLA format.
Include a picture that matches your writing.
Write a 2 sentence caption to describe your picture.
(A) World War II Portfolio
IN YOUR OWN WORDS
Part 1: Introduction
Sentence 1: Overall Statement about the War
Sentence 2: When (dates-start/end)
Sentence 3: Where (locations)
Sentence 4: Who (sides)
Sentence 5: What about (Dictators)
2
Sentence 6:
Why fought (Dictators wanted)
Sentence 7: Thesis or Claim: What your entire Writing Project is ABOUT.
The three most important parts of World War II are ________________, __________________ and
(Portfolio part 2)
(Portfolio part 3)
______________________.
(Portfolio part 4)
Writing Source:
Visit-Bibme Citation Machine: http://www.bibme.org/ or Landmark’s Citation Machine: http://www.landmarkproject.com/citation_machine/index.php
Writing Source:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(indent 5) ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Picture Source in proper format: “Title.” Photograph. From where. Date. Web address.
Picture Source:
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Real Picture
2 Sentence Caption:
3
Part 2: Rise of Totalitarianism
Due: See Due Date Sheet
Steps to follow:
Research the rise to power of one of the dictators
mentioned in the box below.
Cite your writing and picture source in MLA format.
Include a picture that matches your writing.
Write a 2 sentence caption to describe your picture.
This part of your portfolio should tell the
story of why and how one of the
following dictators rose to power:
Hitler
Mussolini
Stalin
Tojo
Part 2: Rise of Totalitarianism
Sentence #1 Intro: Overall sentence about your Dictator
Sentence #2
____________ rose to power because _______________________
(why? Think Great Depression)
Sentence #3
Explain Why (Evidence)
Sentence #4
Explain Why
Sentence #5
Explain Why
New Paragraph
Sentence #1 Intro Sentence for How Rose to Power
____________________ rose to power by using propaganda and fear.
(How? Steps he took)
4
Sentence #2
Explain How (Evidence)
Sentence #3
Explain How
Sentence #4
Explain How
Sentence #5
Explain How
Sentence #6
Conclusion/Summary Sentence about the Dictators Rise to Power
Writing Source:
Visit-Bibme Citation Machine: http://www.bibme.org/ or Landmark’s Citation Machine: http://www.landmarkproject.com/citation_machine/index.php
2 Writing Sources: Indent 2nd and 3rd lines 5 spaces
Picture Source in proper format: “Title.” Photograph. From where. Date. Web address.
Picture Source:
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Real Picture
2 Sentence Caption:
5
Part 3: The United States at War Due: See Due Date Sheet
Choose A or B
A:
B:
United States
Become
War
Involved
on the
Home Front
Steps to follow:
Next explain how the U.S. became
involved in WWII, including all of
the subtopics listed in the box
below.
Cite your writing and picture source
in MLA format.
Include a picture that matches your
writing.
Write a 2 sentence caption to
describe your picture.
1. Opinions that FDR and other
Americans had about how to react
to the rise of the dictators
Steps to follow:
Next explain how the war changed life
in the U.S., focusing on both of the
subtopics in the box below.
Cite your writing and picture source in
MLA format.
Include a picture that matches your
writing.
Write a 2 sentence caption to describe
your picture.
2. Acts (laws) of Congress that tried
to keep the U.S. out of the war
3. Acts of Congress that got the
U.S. more involved in the war
before Pearl Harbor
4. The bombing of Pearl Harbor and
results
1. How American civilians (not soldiers)
and families contributed to the war
effort
2. How FDR's administration treated
Japanese-Americans
6
Part 3: The United States at War
A: U.S. becomes involved or B: How life Changes p. 8
Sentence #1 Thesis/Claim
If you Picked A:
Sentence #1 Thesis/Claim There were four steps to U.S. involvement in World War II;
neutrality, acts by Congress, the Atlantic Charter and the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Sentence #2 The first step America took towards war was to try to remain neutral by passing the
Neutrality Acts.
Sentence #3 Explain (Evidence)
Sentence #4 Conclusion/Summary
New Paragraph

Sentence 5-8 Write about: acts (laws) of Congress that tried to keep the U.S. out of the war
Sentence #5 Intro
The second step America took towards war by passing the Cash and Carry Act and the Lend Lease
Act.
Sentence #6 Explain (Evidence) Cash and Carry Act
Sentence #7 Explain Lend Lease Act
Sentence #8 Conclusion/Summary
New Paragraph
•
Sentence 9-12 Write about: got the U.S. more involved in the war before Pearl Harbor
Sentence #9 Intro
The third step America took towards war was signing the Atlantic Charter.
Sentence #10 Explain (Evidence)
7
Sentence #11 Explain
Sentence #12 Conclusion/Summary
New Paragraph
•
Sentence 13-17 Write about: the bombing of Pearl Harbor (including causes and results of the attack)
Sentence #13 Intro
The fourth and final step America took towards war was ______________________________
Sentence #14 Explain Causes (Evidence)
Sentence #15 Explain What Happened
Sentence #16 Results/Conclusion/Summary for Pearl Harbor
Sentence #17 Conclusion/Summary for all of Part 3
If you Picked B: Home front
Select either #1 or #2
#1
Sentence #1 Intro/Thesis/Claim
World War II was a long and difficult war and Americans did three things at home to help win it;
women such as Rosie the Riveter worked in factories, ______________________
and ______________________.
Sentence #2 Explain (Evidence)
8
Sentence #3
Sentence #4
Sentence #5
Sentence #6
Sentence #7
Sentence #8
Sentence #9
Sentence #10 Conclusion/Summary for Home Front
Or #2
Sentence #1 Intro/Thesis/Claim
In order to protect themselves at home during World War II, the American government placed
Japanese Americans in Internment camps, they were horrible places to live.
Sentence #2 Explain how it happened. Franklin Roosevelt passed?
Sentence #3 Describe the camps, located where, how many.
9
Sentence #4 Describe what it was like to live there.
Sentence #5 Describe what it was like to live there.
Sentence #6 Describe what it was like to live there.
Sentence #7 How they ended
Sentence #8 Conclusion/Summary to Internment Camps
Writing Source:
Visit-Bibme Citation Machine: http://www.bibme.org/ or Landmark’s Citation Machine: http://www.landmarkproject.com/citation_machine/index.php
2 Writing Sources: Indent 2nd and 3rd lines 5 spaces
Picture Source in proper format: “Title.” Photograph. From where. Date. Web address.
Picture Source:
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Real Picture
2 Sentence Caption:
10
Part 4: The War Due: See Due Date Sheet
Choose Subtopic A or B:
A:
Key Battles
B:
Legacy of WWII
Steps to follow:
Steps to follow:
Tell the story of one of the important
battles or campaigns of WWII (from
the box below).
Cite your writing and picture source in
MLA format.
Include a picture that matches your
writing.
Write a 2 sentence caption to describe
your picture.
Be sure to describe the participants
and the battle itself, as well as how
the battle that you chose affected
the course or outcome of the war.
1. Battle of Midway
2. Battle of Normandy (DDay) in general
Explain one of the events or
aspects of WWII that has
greatly affected the postwar
world (choosing one of the
subtopics from the box below).
Cite your writing and picture
source in MLA format.
Include a picture that matches
your writing.
Write a 2 sentence caption to
describe your picture.
1. The Holocaust
2. Hiroshima and Nagasaki
(including how the use of atomic
weapons related to the Cold War
period that followed WWII)
or focus on Omaha Beach
3. Battle of the Bulge
4. Battle of Iwo Jima
5. Battle of Okinawa
11
Part 4: The War Pick A or B p. 13
Sentence #1 Intro/Thesis/Claim
World War II was won through important battles, the most important battle was ____________; it
___________________________, ____________________________ and
______________________.
Sentence #2 Explain (Evidence) Date
Sentence #3 Explain Fought by
Sentence #4 Explain Battle Details
Sentence #5 Explain Battle Details
Sentence #6 Explain Battle Details
Sentence #7 Explain Battle Details
Sentence #8 and #9 Why Important
Sentence #10 Conclusion/Summary for Important Battle
12
If you Picked B: Legacy Do either Holocaust
or
Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Sentence #1 Intro/Thesis/Claim
Sentence #2 Explain what it was
Sentence #3 Describe it
Sentence #4 Describe it
Sentence #5 Describe it
Sentence #6 Describe it
Sentence #7 How it ended
Sentence #8 What should we learn from it
Sentence #9 Conclusion/Summary to the Holocaust
or
Sentence #1 Intro/Thesis/Claim
Sentence #2 Explain how it happened
13
Sentence #3 Explain how it happened
Sentence #4 Describe Hiroshima
Sentence #5 Describe Hiroshima
Sentence #6 Describe Nagasaki
Sentence #7 Describe Nagasaki
Sentence #8 How did it lead to the Cold War
Sentence #9 How did it lead to the Cold War
Sentence #10 Conclusion/Summary to Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Writing Source:
Visit-Bibme Citation Machine: http://www.bibme.org/ or Landmark’s Citation Machine: http://www.landmarkproject.com/citation_machine/index.php
3 Writing Sources (one has to be Primary Interview): Indent 2nd and 3rd lines 5 spaces
14
Picture Source in proper format: “Title.” Photograph. From where. Date. Web address.
Picture Source:
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Real Picture
2 Sentence Caption:
15
Part 5: Cover/Title Page
Due: See Due Date Sheet
Requirements:
Your portfolio should have an appropriate title.
The cover must include your pictures from parts 1,2, 3 and 4.
Title, Your name, Teacher, Block and Due Date
Picture Source in proper format: “Title.” Photograph. From where. Date. Web address.
Picture Source:
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
16
TYPED Portfolio Deadlines
Part of the Portfolio
Due Date
12 font double space
Each 4 pt
Part 1 Create an introduction for your
portfolio.
March 20th and 23rd
Ready on due
Date?
Make sure you have a thesis that tells your
reader about all the parts of your portfolio.
MLA Source(s) Picture/Research
Part 2 Topic explained in my own words
March 24th and 27th
MLA Source(s) Picture/Research
Picture with 1-2 sentence caption
Part 3 Topic explained in my own words
April 9th and 10th
MLA Source(s) Picture/Research
Picture with 2 sentence caption
Part 4 Topic explained in my own words
April 15th and 16th
MLA Source(s) Picture/Research
Picture with 2 sentence caption
Part 5
Cover/Title Page
April 15th and 16th
Part 1, 2, 3, 4 Pictures
Portfolio Due
April 21st and 22nd
Write Essay using Portfolio
17
World War II Research Portfolio/Essay Rubric
CATEGORY
Content
Quality of
Information
Organization
Mechanics
Work Cited
Present in
Portfolio
Grade
4
Covers topic indepth with details
and examples.
Subject knowledge
is excellent.
Information clearly
relates to the main
topic. It includes
several supporting
details and/or
examples.
Content is well
organized.
Only a few
misspellings or
minor grammatical
errors. Double
Spaced, 12 font
Source information
collected for all
graphics, facts and
quotes. All
documented in
desired format.
100
3
Includes
essential
knowledge
about the topic.
Subject
knowledge
appears to be
good.
Information
clearly relates to
the main topic.
It provides a few
supporting
details and/or
examples.
Content is
logically
organized for
the most part.
Several
misspellings
and/or
grammatical
errors, but not
seriously
distracting.
Source
information
collected for all
graphics, facts
and quotes.
Most
documented in
desired format.
85
2
1
0
Includes
essential
information
about the topic
but there are
several factual
errors.
Content is
minimal OR
there are many
factual errors.
No evidence
Information
clearly relates to
the main topic.
No details
and/or examples
are given.
Information has
little or nothing
to do with the
main topic.
No evidence
Overall
organization of
topics appears
flawed.
Several
seriously
distracting
misspellings
and/or
grammatical
errors.
Source
information
collected for
graphics, facts
and quotes, but
not documented
in desired
format.
75
There was no
clear or logical
organizational
structure, just
lots of facts.
Frequent,
distracting
errors in spelling
or grammar.
Very little or no
source
information was
collected.
65
No evidence
No evidence
No evidence
0
Total Points = ____/100 Portfolio Essay
18