Westward Expansion Performance Task 4
Description:
Students will construct an argumentative piece on the practice of Manifest Destiny.
Role:
Your Performance Task must demonstrate your knowledge of the material studies in this unit as well as convey a position on and
understanding of these 3 guiding inquiries: How did the policies of the United States Government between 1800-1880 help expand
our nation westward? Was the practice of Manifest Destiny a valid mission important to American progress or was it simply a
justification for certain American policies? How has the notion of Manifest Destiny continued to be a part of American policy
making in terms of our global interactions?
Task:
Students will construct an argumentative piece.
Choose from the following options:
2. a letter to a political official discussing matters of expansion and imperialism
3. a letter to John O’Sullivan either supporting or refuting his concept of Manifest Destiny
Also include a political cartoon that characterizes the events surrounding westward expansion (this must include a written explanation
of the cartoon.
Criteria
Does Not Meet
Needs Improvement
Meets Standards
Exceeds Standards
Introduction
Background/history
Define the problem
Thesis Statement
Conclusion
Well-developed introductory
paragraph contains detailed
background , a clear
explanation or definition of
the problem, and a thesis
statement
Conclusion
Summarizes the main
topics; writer’s opinions and
suggestions for change are
logical and well thought out.
Introductory paragraph
contains some background
information and states the
problem, lack of detail.
States the thesis of the
paper.
Conclusion summarizes
some of the main topics.
Introduction states
the thesis but does
not explain the
background of the
problem. The
problem is stated,
but lacks detail.
Thesis and/or problem is
vague or not there.
Background details are a
random collection of
information, unclear, or not
related to the topic.
Does not create a political
cartoon.
Political cartoon represents
some of the essay.
Students will also
create a political
cartoon that
characterizes the
events surrounding
westward expansion
(this must include a
written explanation of
the cartoon.)
.
Conclusion
summarizes main
topics. No
suggestions for
change and/or
opinions are
included.
Correctly follow
most but not all of
the points during the
essay.
Conclusion does not
summarize the main points.
No suggestions for change or
opinions are included.
Correctly represents all of the
points during the essay.
MAIN POINTS
Body Paragraphs
Three or more main points are
well developed with
supporting details.
Paragraph(s) acknowledge the
opposing view and
summarizes their main points.
Three or more main points
are present but may lack
detail and development in
one or two. Paragraph(s)
acknowledges the opposing
view but doesn’t summarize
points.
Three or more main
points, but all lack
development.
Paragraph(s)
acknowledges the
opposing view
missing and/or
vague
Less than three main points,
with poor development of
ideas.
Does not acknowledges the
opposing view missing or
vague
Organization
Logical, compelling
progression of ideas in essay;
clear structure which enhances
and showcases the central idea
or theme and moves the reader
through the text.
Organization flows smoothly.
Excellent transitions
Overall, the paper is
logically developed.
Progression of ideas in
essay makes sense.
Strong transitions exist
throughout and add to the
essay’s rationality
Lack of progression
of ideas in the essay.
Confusion.
Transitions appear
sporadically, but not
equally throughout
the essay.
Arrangement of essay is
unclear and illogical. Unclear
sense of direction.
Few or no transitions are
present.
WORKS CITED
Source material is integrated
into the text. All sources
are accurately cited in the
desired format both in the text
and on the Works Cited page
Source material is used.
All sources are accurately
documented, but a few are
not in the desired format.
Some sources lack
credibility
Source material is
used, incorrect
integration.
All sources are
accurately
documented, but
majority are not in
the desired format.
Lacks sources and/or sources
are not accurately
documented.
Format is incorrect for all
sources