APUSH
Darnell
Liberty H.S.
Essay Topic: Development of a Unique American Character
Directions:
Write a persuasive argument addressing the prompt below. Remember to cite historical
evidence in support of your generalizations and present your arguments clearly and logically. Remember
YOU MUST SUBMIT an Essay Prep (TOT) and an Essay Frame with your essay!
Specifications:
1.
Your essay must not exceed 3 pages. This does not include the TOTE and title page, so your
total page count will be 5. Your first page number is page one of your essay.
2.
Double Spaced, 12 font Times New Roman, one inch margins
3.
All pages must be numbered.
4.
You must submit a title page with the following information: your name, due date, class
period, course title and title of your essay. Essay titles must reflect your position regarding
the prompt. A title such as “A Unique American Character in Colonial America” is too
generic. Create a title that reflects your viewpoint.
5.
Sources cited page. Use MLA format. Title of page is Sources Cited. It is underlined. List
sources in alphabetical order; do not number source entries. Indent all return lines five spaces.
Number the page.
Prompt:
In Letters from an American Farmer, 1782, the French immigrant Michel-Guillaume Jean
de Crevecoeur discerned a unique American character:
“What then is . . . this new man?. . . He is an American, who, leaving behind him all his ancient prejudices
and manners, receives new ones from the new mode of life he has embraced, the new government he
obeys, and the new rank he holds. . . (In America) individuals of all nations are melted into a new race of
men, whose labors. . . will one day cause great changes in the world.”
“To what extent had a unique American character evolved in British
Colonial America prior to 1763?”
Resources:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Identifications/CRO/Reflection Activities: Chapters 1-4
AVMS Activities: Colonial Exploitation?
Lecture: Our Colonial Heritage
European “New World” Colonial Systems Chart
Colonial Region Characteristics Chart
Colonial Roots of American Ideals Chart
Name:
Period:
FREE RESPONSE STANDARDS
Thesis:
12
contains sophisticated thesis, providing balanced interpretation and three
categories of analysis that guide development of argument throughout essay
10
contains a clear thesis which sets the direction for the essay; connection between
thesis and evidence may not be clearly and directly made
8
thesis may be confused or undeveloped, or lacks a thesis
Evidence:
12
provides abundant, relevant, accurate and specific facts supporting thesis,
deals with all aspects of prompt
10
supports thesis with some factual information
8
Information provided is minimal, or lacks supporting information, or
contains
information that is not relevant to the question
Analysis:
12
demonstrates well-reasoned interpretation and analysis and reaches, firm,
fully supported conclusions
10
analysis may be limited or superficial with limited understanding of
complexity; in questions requiring balance, may give more attention to one part
of the question
8
weak analysis, may not connect aspects of the topic, or ignores complexity, may
concentrate on only one part of the question, or discuss areas in a general and/or
superficial way
Cohesion:
5
sophisticated cohesive organization making logical connections between core
essay components: topic sentence link to thesis categories of
analysis, evidence cited
supports topic sentence, analysis links evidence to topic sentence, and clincher sentences
link paragraph to categories of analysis
4
sufficient cohesive organization making some clear connections between core
essay components
3
disjointed essay organization with ineffective or no connections made
between
core essay components
Conventions:
4
communicates clearly and effectively, using precise language, may
contain minor errors
3
communicates clearly, may contain multiple errors that do not detract
from overall essay/argument
2
communication clarity is inconsistent or absent, may contain major errors
that detract from overall essay/argument
Final Score:
/45