US History and Government Research Paper Guidelines
All students are required to submit a research essay for this class. It will answer a very specific
Constitutional/historical question.
The text of the paper must be between 1500-2400 words of text (not including cover sheet and
Works Cited page). The paper must be typewritten, double-spaced, in 12-point Times New
Roman font, and consistent with MLA format. Consult Purdue University’s On-line Writing
Lab, which is linked to my Web site, if you have any questions.
US History Research Paper Topics:
A. “Because national survival is at stake, some freedoms may be curtailed during time of crisis
or war.” Evaluate the validity of this statement by tracing and analyzing the arguments over the
extent to which national security and democratic ideals must be balanced in the light of: the
“Quasi-War” (1798), the Civil War (1861-65), and the Great War (1917-18).
B. “The federal government extended its powers far in excess of what the Founders ever
envisioned during the Progressive Era (~1900-20), the “New Deal” (1933-38) and the “Great
Society” (1964-68).” Evaluate the validity of this statement by tracing and analyzing the
arguments over the respective powers of the states and the federal government in the context of
these 20th century reform programs.
C. “The doctrines of nullification and secession were perfectly constitutional.” Evaluate the
validity of this statement by tracing and analyzing the arguments over the Virginia and Kentucky
Resolutions (1798), the War of 1812, the Nullification Crisis (1832-33) and the coming of the
Civil War (1861).
D. “American civil liberties were violated by Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer and Senator
Joseph McCarthy in their efforts to fabricate hysteria over a fake enemy.” Evaluate the validity
of this statement by tracing and analyzing civil liberties issues related to the threat of
communism during the two so-called “Red Scares” in 1919-20 and 1950-54.
E. “The expansion of the powers of the President during the administrations of Andrew Jackson,
Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt exceeded what the Constitution allows.” Evaluate the
validity of this statement by tracing and analyzing the constitutional arguments over presidential
powers in the context of the actions and policies of these three Presidents.
F. “In Korea (1950-53) and again in Vietnam (1964-73) Congress neglected its constitutional
military responsibilities. It handed them, by default, to Presidents Truman, Johnson, and Nixon,
who then led the country in unconstitutional wars.” Evaluate the validity of this statement by
tracing and analyzing the roles of the executive and legislative branches in time of war from
1950 to 1973.
Note: Before you do ANYTHING, make sure you understand what the topic is
asking you to do!
4 Excellent
Scoring Rubric: U.S. History CBA
3 Proficient
2 Partial
4
3
1 Minimal
2
1
INTRODUCTION
Presents a well-developed Introduces the topic
introduction to the topic
and includes a clear
that creates interest,
thesis.
contains necessary
background information,
and includes a clear
thesis.
Introduction exists,
No discernable introduction
though it lacks a clear or thesis.
thesis.
MAIN POINTS
Provides clear historical
context of the required
examples that presents
an objective summary of
BOTH viewpoints.
Supports thesis based on
the required examples
and the U.S. Constitution.
Each body paragraph is
properly sourced with an
in-text citation to support
research.
Lacks clear historical
context of the required
examples, objective
summary of one
viewpoint, or support
of thesis based on the
required examples
and/or the U.S.
Constitution. One or
two body paragraphs
lack in-text citations
supporting your
research.
Lacks two of the
following: Clear
historical context of
the required
examples, objective
summary of one
viewpoint, or support
of thesis based on the
required examples
and/or the U.S.
Constitution. Three or
four body paragraphs
lack in-text citations
supporting your
research.
Lacks three or more of the
following: Clear historical
context of the required
examples, objective
summary of one viewpoint,
or support of thesis based
on the required examples
and/or the U.S.
Constitution. Five or more
body paragraphs lack intext citations supporting
your research.
ORGANIZATION/
STYLE
Logical progression of
ideas with a clear
structure. Writing is
smooth, skillful, and
coherent. Diction – choice
of words – is thoughtful
and consistent.
Logical progression of
ideas. Transitions are
present. Writing is
clear and
sentences have varied
structure. Diction is
appropriate.
Organization or
transitions are
inconsistent. Writing
is clear, but sentences
may lack variety.
Diction is
inconsistent.
No discernable organization;
transitions are not present.
Writing is confusing and
difficult to follow.
MECHANICS
Punctuation, spelling,
capitalization are correct.
No errors.
Punctuation, spelling,
capitalization are
generally correct, with
few errors. (1-3)
A few errors in
punctuation, spelling,
capitalization. (4-6)
Distracting errors in
punctuation, spelling,
and/or capitalization.
Conclusion summarizes
your position and
supports your thesis.
It demonstrates how
your view of some -but not all -- of the
required examples are
consistent with the
U.S. Constitution.
Conclusion fails to
support thesis or
demonstrate how your
views of the required
examples are
consistent with the
U.S. Constitution.
Conclusion fails to support
thesis and demonstrate how
your views of the required
examples are consistent
with the U.S. Constitution.
Paper contains
distracting errors in
the use of MLA style
(3-4)
MLA style mostly ignored.
Difficult or impossible to
track multiple sources
based on source
documentation in the paper.
(May be more than one
paragraph)
__Thesis Statement
__Background
__Interest
__Why is this topic
important?
__Body Paragraphs
__Both Sides of Issue
__Supports Thesis/Main
points are CLEAR!
__Required Examples
__U.S. Constitution
__In-Text Citations
WORTH
DOUBLE
CREDIT!!!!!
__Clear Structure
__Transitions
__Sentence flow/variety
__Diction
__Spelling
__Punctuation
__Capitalization
__Grammar
Conclusion contains an
effective summary of
your position’s main
(May be more than one
points, supporting your
paragraph)
thesis. It clearly
__Effective summary/Main demonstrates how your
points are CLEAR!
views of the required
__Supports thesis
examples are consistent
__Required topics and
with the U.S.
U.S. Constitution
Constitution.
CONCLUSION/
ANALYSIS
Structure/Writing
Paper contains proper use Paper contains minor
of MLA style regarding in- errors in the use of
text citations and the
MLA style. (1-2)
Works Cited page, which
properly correspond.
Sources
Student properly
documented the use of at
least five acceptable
sources (books, approved
periodicals, .gov/.edu,
NKHS Databases). Not
overly dependent on one
source.
__MLA
__Works Cited Page
__In-Text Citations
__At least five that meet
requirements
__None overused
Student properly
Student properly
documented the use of documented the use
four acceptable
of three acceptable
sources. Not overly
sources. Not overly
dependent on one
dependent on one
source.
source.
Student properly
documented the use of two
or fewer acceptable
sources. Not overly
dependence on one source.