Name_________________________Core___Teacher_______________
Slavery Independent Reading Project
Directions: You are required to do research on a slave, abolitionist, president,
or slave owner. After doing research, you will have to complete 2 tasks.
Part 1: The Argumentative Essay
You must write an argumentative essay on why slavery was “beneficial” or “wrong”
from the perspective of the person you did your research on. Your essay must be
at least 5 paragraphs long with an introduction, 3 body paragraphs, and a conclusion
statement. See below for what I want to see in all 5 parts.
Intro: Introduce who you are (the person you are studying). Give me a little
background on you (when/where born, your family, slave, abolitionist, president, or
slave owner?). State your thesis statement and at least 3 reasons why you believe
slavery is beneficial or wrong.
Example: Greetings to you! My name is Denmark Vessey, and I was born a slave in
1767. I believe I was born on St. Thomas, West Indies. Slavery is a horrible
institution mainly for three reasons: God never intended for humans to be treated
less than who He ordained them to be, every person should have the right to
freedom, and no human being should be used, abused, and mistreated. Hopefully
after reading my argument, you will also be convinced that slavery is absolutely
WRONG!
Body paragraphs: Your body paragraphs should support your 3 main reasons. Be
sure to include details about this person’s life and examples from what you discover
while researching.
Conclusion: Your conclusion should wrap up your essay and restate your thesis in a
powerful way!
Audience Engagement Ideas
*Your essay will be graded using the Argumentative Rubric.
1. Dressing like the
*Your argumentative essay can be presented in the form of
historical figure
a song, rap, or speech.
*Your argumentative essay will be presented individually
2. Adding a quiz for your
Part 2: Visual Aide
classmates to take
You will also be required to present something to the class,
3. Asking questions
which demonstrates what you have learned about the
throughout your
historical figure. Here are your options for your
presentation:
presentation
1. Fakebook/ PowerPoint -Design a Fakebook page for the
person you are studying. You will need to include a profile picture, background
information, a friend list, posts that reflect what this person would probably say if
alive, and other relevant pictures of the person you are studying.
2. Brochure -Design and brochure, which includes pictures of the person you are
researching, background information, what the person did that was significant, and
any other important information about your subject.
* You will be graded using a presentation rubric and based on if your project
includes all required parts.
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Name_________________________Core___Teacher_______________
How to be Successful Checklists
Use these checklists and you are guaranteed to be successful!
Argumentative Essay (Song, rap, speech)
Introduction
Thesis stated
3 Supporting details
Persuasive language used
Clear focus
Conclusion
Fakebook Checklist
 Profile Picture
 Background information (short bio)
 Friend list (people this person would have been friends with)
 Likes (what this person would have probably enjoyed doing)
 4 quotes this person said or probably would have said about
slavery
 4 comments about the person’s quote (respond as though
you were a friend of this person)
 2 ads: Advertise where you got this information from
OR
Brochure Checklist
 Picture of the historical figure
 Background information (short bio)
 4 quotes this person said or 4 quotes said about this figure
 What you think about the historical figure
 Historical figure’s argument about slavery
 Cite where you got your information from (at least 2
sources)
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Name_________________________Core___Teacher_______________
Presentation Rubric
Beginning
Novice
Proficient
Exemplary
Content
The presentation does
not include information
on the major points.
Important
information is
missing, or there are
few supporting
details.
Information is
complete with basic
supporting details,
increasing audience
knowledge at least
to some degree.
Information is
complete and well
supported by detail,
significantly
increasing the
audience's knowledge
of the topic.
Thinking and
Communication
The presentation does
not express main points
clearly, thoroughly, or
persuasively.
The presentation
seems to convey only
limited understanding
of the topic.
The presentation
conveys good
understanding of
the topic, with
some lapses.
The presentation
conveys deep and
thorough
understanding of the
topic.
The speaker's main
points are clear but
are not persuasive.
The introduction
states the purpose
but does not
capture the
attention of the
audience.
The speaker's main
points are logical and
persuasive.
The introduction
captures audience
attention and gives a
clear statement of
purpose.
The presentation is at a
beginning stage.
The presentation may
show flashes of quality,
but could be improved in
several important ways.
The main points are
not clearly stated or
persuasive.
Organization,
Mechanics,
and Vocabulary
No introduction is used
to capture audience
attention.
The body of the
presentation needs
organization and
supporting details.
A suitable closing is
missing.
The speaker has not
mastered key words
and phrases relevant to
the topic.
The introduction is
unclear or fails to
capture audience
attention.
The body of the
presentation is
confusing with
limited supporting
details.
The closing is unclear
or does not include
many of the major
points.
The speaker's topic
related vocabulary is
limited.
The presentation is
acceptable, but could
be improved in a few
important ways.
The main part of
the presentation is
organized and
sequential with
some supporting
details.
The closing
provides a basic
summary of the
most major points.
Vocabulary is
appropriate to the
topic, with some
lapses.
The presentation is
exemplary
The main part of the
presentation is well
organized, sequential,
and well supported by
detail.
The closing provides
a thorough summary
of all of the major
points.
The speaker
demonstrates a rich
vocabulary
appropriate to the
topic.
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Name_________________________Core___Teacher_______________
Beginning
Novice
Proficient
Exemplary
No presentation aids.
Presentation aids do
not enhance
audience
understanding or are
confusing.
Presentation aids
are clearly linked to
the material, well
executed, and
informative to the
audience. All
components of the
presentation aids
are present.
Control of speaking
tone, clarity, and
volume is not evident.
Clarity of speech is
uneven; delivery is
halting.
Presentation aids
are appropriate to
the topic but are
not well
integrated into
the overall
presentation. Aids
are missing onetwo important
compenents.
Good speaking
voice; recovers
easily from
speaking errors.
No evidence of
creativity.
Limited evidence of
creativity.
Speaker is visibly
nervous and does not
convey interest in the
topic.
Speaker is not
completely sure of
topic but appears
nervous or
disengaged.
Creativity
apparent, but is
not well
integrated into
presentation.
Use of creativity
keeps audience
engaged.
The presentation is at a
beginning stage.
Fakebook/Brochure
(Presentation Aids)
Presentation
Speaker does not
make eye contact with
audience.
Physical gesture and
awareness of facial
expression are absent.
The presentation may
show flashes of quality,
but could be improved in
several important ways.
Limited or sporadic
eye contact with
audience.
Limited or
inappropriate use of
physical gesture and
facial expression.
The presentation is
acceptable, but could
be improved in a few
important ways.
Speaker is in
command of the
topic but appears
slightly nervous in
delivery.
Good eye contact
with audience
throughout most
of the
presentation.
The presentation is
exemplary
Strong, clear
speaking voice easily
understood by
audience.
Speaker conveys
confidence in talking
about the topic.
Excellent eye
contact with
audience throughout
presentation.
Use of physical
gesture and facial
expression conveys
energy and
enthusiasm.
Use of physical
gesture and facial
expression is good,
but appears
forced or
artificial at times.
Final Grade______
Comments:
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Name_________________________Core___Teacher_______________
Argumentative Essay Rubric
Argumentative
Writing Rubric
Beginning
Novice
Proficient
Exemplary
Focus/Claim(x2)
Minimally addresses
aspects of the prompt
Partially addresses all
aspects of the
prompt
Competently
addresses all
aspects of the
prompt
Insightfully
addresses all aspects
of the prompt
The writing is at a
beginning stage.
Fails to introduce a
relevant claim and/or
lacks a thesis
statement
Organization/
Structure(x5)
Fails to orient reader
to topic in introduction
or introduction is
missing
Fails to develop claim(s)
Omits conclusion
The writing may show
flashes of quality, but
could be improved in
several important ways.
Introduces claim(s) in
a thesis statement
Partially orients
reader to topic in
introduction
Partially devleops
claim(s)
Uses few to no
transitions
Provides a conclusion
which repetitively or
partially supports
claim(s)
Includes little or no
organization of ideas
Uses some transition
words
(x2)
Provides inaccurate,
little or no evidence to
support claim(s)
Does not use or cite
sources and or text
evidence
Introduces
reasonable claim(s)
in a clear thesis
statment
Competently
orients reader to
topic in
introduction
Develops claim(s)
with relevant
paragraphs
Provides a
conclusion that
follows from and
supports claim(s)
The writing is exemplary
Introduces precise
claim(s) in a
sophisticated thesis
statement
Skillfully orients
reader to topic in
introduction
Thoroughly develops
claim(s) in paragraphs
Provides a meaningful
and reflective
conclusion which
draws from and
supports claim(s)
Creates cohesion
through transitions
Creates cohesion
through skillful use
of transtions
Provides limited
and/or superficial
evidence to support
claim(s)
Includes logical
progressin of ideas
from beginning to
end
Provides sufficient
and relevant
evidence to support
claim(s)
Includes purposeful
and logical
progression of ideas
from beginning to end
Provides substantial
and pertinent
evidence to support
claim(s)
Ineffectively or
incorrectly
integrates or cites
sources and/or text
evidence
Competently
integrates and
cites credible
sources and/or
text evidence
Effectively
integrates and cites
credible sources
and/or text evidence
Includes adequate
progression of ideas
from beginning to end
Evidence/Support
The writing is
acceptable, but could
be improved in a few
important ways.
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Name_________________________Core___Teacher_______________
Argumentative
Writing Rubric
Beginning
Novice
Proficient
Exemplary
Shows no and/or
inaccurate
understanding of topic
or text
Shows limited
understanding of
topic or text
Shows competent
understanding of
topic or text
Shows insightful
understanding of
topic or text
Uses some reasoning
to connect evidence
with claim(s)
Uses mostly correct
and some varied
sentence structure
Uses valid
reasoning to
connect evidence
with claim(s)
Uses correct and
varied sentence
structure
Uses persuasive and
valid reasoning to
connect evidence
with claim(s)
Uses purposeful and
varied sentence
structure
Contains some
errors in
conventions
Contains few,
minor errors in
conventions
Contains minimal to
no errors in
conventoins
Superficially uses
vocabulary for the
audience and
purpose
Competently uses
vocabulary for the
audience and
purpose
Strategically uses
vocabulary clearly
appropriate for the
audience and
purpose
The writing is at a
beginning stage.
Continued
Analysis (x2)
Language(x3)
Reasoning is missing or
does not connect
evidence with claim(s)
Lacks sentence
mastery
Contains serious
errors in conventions
Fails to use vocabulary
appropriate for the
audience and purpose
The writing may show
flashes of quality, but
could be improved in
several important ways.
The writing is
acceptable, but could
be improved in a few
important ways.
The writing is exemplary
Final Grade______
Comments:
6
Name_________________________Core___Teacher_______________
7th Grade Blue Team Trimester 2
Slavery Independent Reading
Project
Due Date: January 12th -January
30th
 Pick person you are going to
research-December 1st
 Complete research for the person
you are studying-December 12th
 Complete argumentative speechDecember 19th
 Complete brochure/FakebookJanuary 9th
 Pick presentation date (January
12th-January 30th)
My presentation
date________________________
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Name_________________________Core___Teacher_______________
Research Questions for Slavery Independent Reading
Directions: Be sure to answer each question thoroughly in
complete sentences. For the extra information section, be
sure to include relevant facts about this person and their
relationship to slavery.
1. Who are you researching?
_____________________________________________
2. Where/when was he/she born? Source_________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
3. What is this person’s role in slavery, and how did slavery
affect him/her? Source______________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
4. What relevant details about this person’s life in slavery are
discussed in your research? Source______________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
5. If this person were still alive, would this person support
slavery, or be against slavery? (circle one) Support
Against
Turn Over
8
Name_________________________Core___Teacher_______________
6. Name 3 reasons why you think this person agrees/disagrees
with slavery.
1. _______________________________________________
2._______________________________________________
3._______________________________________________
Extra Information about this person
Important Quotes
Anything extra
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Name_________________________Core___Teacher_______________
Complete Bibliography
Directions: List all of your sources on this page.
Book/Print Sources: (Title, Author, Copyright Date, Publishing
Info)
1.________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
2._______________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
3._______________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
Web Sources (Website, Title of Article, URL, date you got info)
1.________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
2._______________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
3._______________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
*All sources will be cited in MLA format before turning in.
*Refer to MLA Style Guide for Middle School
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Name_________________________Core___Teacher_______________
Argumentative Essay Sample-DO NOT COPY
Denmark Vessey Argumentative Essay
Greetings to you! My name is Denmark Vessey, and I was born a slave in 1767. I
believe I was born on St. Thomas, West Indies. Slavery is a horrible institution mainly
for three reasons: God never intended for humans to be treated less than who He
ordained them to be, every person should have the right to freedom, and no human
being should be used, abused, and mistreated. Hopefully after reading my argument,
you will also be convinced that slavery is absolutely WRONG!
First of all, God never intended for humans to be treated less than who He
ordained them to be. According to the bible, every man was created in God’s image and
likeness. This means that every man was born with equal rights. I constantly watched
my master abuse and mistreat slaves, therefore robbing them of their God given rights.
This should never be! I am positive that these so-called Christians are not following
their core beliefs. They have misinterpreted the bible and use the Holy Scriptures for
their own selfish aspirations!
Furthermore, we are God’s chosen people and just like the Israelites in the
bible, God has commanded us to be free! My bible also says that whenever Jesus sets
us free, we shall be free indeed! Boy was I glad to have won the lottery in 1799. With
$600, I was able to buy my freedom, something that should have been free! This is
when I became even more serious about studying my bible. I joined the African
Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, Virginia in 1817. Soon after that, I became a
preacher, and I began to teach African Americans that they born to be free. The
white slave owners act as though we as black people should have no rights. In their
eyes, we are property. They treat us even lower than they treat their pigs and dogs.
What an injustice! Last time I checked, I had the same human blood running through
my veins as they do!
What really makes my skin crawl about this horrible institution is the way blacks
are constantly mistreated and abused. For example, I heard horrible stories of women
and children being beaten to a bloody pulp just because they wanted to learn how to
read and write. Further, I heard and witnessed situations where slaves who tried to
escape this horrible institution were hunted by bloodhound dogs. Once found, they
would be hung on a tree after the dogs were allowed to chew at their flesh until their
bones popped out. Still, young slave girls were forced to be “breeders” at the tender
age of 12. Their innocence was stolen from them at a very young age. You ask me if
slavery is beneficial? I decree to you today, it is only beneficial in the eyes of the
selfish and greedy men that make thousands of dollars by forcing human beings into
harsh labor without pay.
Yes, I truly believe slavery is an evil institution set up to degrade, destroy,
humiliate, and deprive Africans and African Americans. Because of all this, I was
inspired to lead a rebellion. My plan was perfect, only one person who was working with
me ratted me out! My plan was simple-organize a group of men to ambush and kill every
white person in sight. I’m not a murderer. No, I’m just a man who believe that God
intended for all humans to be treated with equal respect, that every man has the right
to freedom, and no one regardless of the color of their skin should be abused!
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