U.S. History 9
Core I Essay
DUE DATE (In-class writing): ____________________
Name:
Period:
9th Grade Social Studies Core Essay Organizer
Overview: In history, themes develop over time. One can argue that the developments of these themes have brought
America closer to the ideals that the U.S. was founded upon, while others have brought us further from those ideals. The
following essay prompt deals with these ideals:
Prompt:
“Explain how the United States has moved closer to or further from America’s founding ideals
throughout the time period of 1890-1945. Choose three specific examples from history to explain and
support your position.”
You can only argue in one direction, but you can
relate it to any of the founding ideals.
Rights
Opportunity
Democracy
Liberty
Equality
Steps:
1. Choose three historical examples that you can explain from the first half of the school year. (These could be
specific events, laws/acts that were passed, actions taken by the U.S. government, etc.)
2. For the three examples, decide which founding ideals they relate to and explain whether the example brought
the U.S. closer to or further from that ideal based on which direction you chose. You can only argue in one
direction!!!!!!!
Essay Graphic Organizer
Introduction:
Explain the founding ideals you are focusing on. DO NOT simply list them. Briefly explain their importance in the United States during
the time period studied. Provide a condensed overview of major events during the 1st half of the 20 Century that you will be addressing
in your essay. ONLY discuss events that relate to your thesis.
th
Introductory Ideas:
_______
Ideal & Explanation of it:
______________
_____________ ____________________________________________________________________________________
Thesis(Which direction are you arguing in?)
In the next segment you must pick ONE direction to argue in for ALL of your historical examples!!!!!
Historical Example:
Explanation:
Founding Ideal:
Did the U.S. move closer or further? Why?
Historical Example:
Explanation:
Founding Ideal:
Did the U.S. move closer or further? Why?
Historical Example:
Explanation:
Founding Ideal:
Did the U.S. move closer or further? Why?
Conclusion: Summarize your main points and examples:
Analyze/Connect: Make connections between the ideal and American government, society or politics of today.
Historical Example used:
Event from today:
Connection:
Historical Example used:
Event from today:
Connection:
Historical Example used:
Event from today:
Connection:
Strong Ending Statement:
Founding Ideals of America
The following are some of the basic ideals that were the basis of America’s creation – ideas/ways of life that the Founding
Fathers intended to be present in American society. For each ideal, brainstorm some words/phrases that you associate with
it. What does each ideal mean? What events that you’ve learned about relate to each ideal?
Equality
Opportunity
Definition:
Definition:
Words/Phrases:
What events relate to each ideal?
Words/Phrases:
What events relate to each ideal?
Democracy
Liberty
Definition:
Definition:
Words/Phrases:
What events relate to each ideal?
Words/Phrases:
What events relate to each ideal?
Rights
Definition:
Words/Phrases:
What events relate to each ideal?