American Revolution Rhetorical Analysis Essay
**Essay prompt: Analyze one of the foundational U.S. documents that appear in this unit, identifying its
purpose and key rhetorical features that help achieve this purpose. Compose in paragraph form, including
an introduction, body paragraph (at least one), and conclusion.
For your convenience, the list of pieces we have read and discussed include the following: Henry’s
“Speech in the Virginia Convention” (p. 116), Jefferson’s “Declaration of Independence” (p. 134), and
Wheatley’s “To His Excellency, General Washington” (p. 128).
DUE MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30th
**Paper Requirements:
*1-2 pages
*1-inch margins
*One electronic copy (see information below)
*Double-spaced
*One printed copy
*Typed
*12 point legible font (preferably in “Times New Roman”)
**TURNITIN.COM Instructions
In addition to one hard copy in class, YOU MUST SUBMIT ONE ELECTRONIC COPY TO THIS
SITE. You should already have created a Turnitin.com account to submit your Scarlet Letter literary
analysis. However, in the event you do not have a Turnitin.com account, please create one. Following this
process, you will be directed to a class ID number and password. Please review the information
corresponding to your specific class period to ensure you have submitted your essay appropriately.
3rd Period:
6th Period:
8th Period:
Class ID
10747113
10747137
10747141
Password
english2
english2
english2
**You will be assessed on your ability to:
R.I.2: Determine the purpose of the text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including
how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details.
R.I.9: Analyze seminal U.S. documents of historical and literary significance (e.g.“Speech in the Virginia
Convention,” “Declaration of Independence,” and “To His Excellency, General Washington”).
W.2: Write an informative/explanatory essay to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and
information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
L.1: Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing.
American Revolution Rhetorical Analysis Essay Rubric
CCSS.W.9-10.2
Write
informative/explanatory
texts to examine and
convey complex ideas,
concepts, and information
clearly and accurately
through the effective
selection, organization,
and analysis of content
CCSS.R.I.9-10.9:
Analyze seminal U.S.
documents of historical
and literary significance
(e.g.“Speech in the
Virginia Convention,”
“Declaration of
Independence,” and “To
His Excellency, General
Washington”).
CCSS.W.9-10.R.I.2:
Determine the purpose of
the text and analyze its
development over the
course of the text,
including how it emerges
and is shaped and refined
by specific details.
CCSS.L.9-10.1:
Demonstrate command of
the conventions of
standard English grammar
and usage when writing.
Score: ________/50
Effective
(12.5-11.5 pts.)
Adequate
(11-10 pts.)
Inadequate
(9.5-9 pts.)
Little Success
(8.5-7.5 pts.)
These writers
effectively answer the
prompt with at least
three coherent and
cohesive paragraphs,
including orienting
the reader with an
introduction,
transitioning to a
sophisticated analysis
in the body
paragraph(s), and
logically and
creatively departing
the essay with an
effective conclusion.
This essay sufficiently
addresses the prompt
in three paragraphs,
but may lack the
clarity and cohesion
of paragraph
organization of an
“effective” essay.
This essay
misunderstands the
prompt, containing
less than three
paragraphs. The essay
lacks clarity and
cohesion, which
infringes upon the
content of the essay.
This essay does not
address the prompt or
contain an
organizational
structure in paragraph
form.
This essay also
effectively discusses
one of the U.S.
documents from this
unit with sophisticated
and authentic analysis.
This essay clearly and
correctly identifies the
purpose with
supporting rhetorical
choices that help
achieve the purpose.
.
Although not without
flaws, these essays
reflect the writer’s
ability to control
elements of effective
writing (language,
vocabulary, grammar,
MLA format, style,
etc.) to provide a keen
analysis of the text.
This essay sufficiently
discusses one of the
U.S. documents from
this unit with
appropriate analysis.
Discussion and details
within paragraphs
may be somewhat
effective, but less
controlled and
insightful than an
“effective” essay.
This essay discusses
one of the U.S.
documents from this
unit with limited
and/or weak analysis.
Discussion is very
limited and/or does not
appropriately support
the prompt.
This essay contains an
unclear, unfocused
analysis, digressing
form one of the U.S.
documents from this
unit OR lacks
analysis.
While the purpose
may be a bit vague,
this essay clearly
addresses the prompt,
as well as identifies
and analyzes other
rhetorical choices.
One’s analysis reflects
a misunderstanding of
the prompt; analysis of
the purpose and
rhetorical choices,
though present, tend to
be misconstrued or
inexact
These papers
demonstrate little
success in effectively
answering the prompt
and analyzing the text.
The essay
demonstrates that the
writer’s ability to
control elements of
effective writing is a
little more general,
but used correctly.
This essay
demonstrates that wide
use of elements of
effective writing is
missing,
The essay
demonstrates a
weakness in writing
(syntax) and word
choice (diction) that
heavily infringes upon
meaning.