The American Cause Two Column Journals – AP U.S. Government and Politics The American Cause Journal Entries Obtain a copy of The American Cause by Russell Kirk, edited by Gleaves Whitney Read the entire book: the Editor’s Introduction, all ten chapters and the Afterword Complete the two column journal in a chart like the one below with a minimum of 24 entries–this assignment must be typed The first column will include an excerpt, with the chapter and page number, chosen due to its significance to you or the work as a whole. The second column is your response to this excerpt (explanation of why you chose it, why it is significant, etc.) Quote (with chapter & page reference) Commentary DO: Put a complete MLA header A minimum of 2 quotes from the Introduction, each of the ten chapters and the Afterword List entries in order as they appear in the book Provide a minimum of 50 words per response (or at least 4 meaty complex/compound sentences) in the commentary column in which you might explain why you chose this particular excerpt, why it is significant, or why you agree or disagree with the author. It could also include a personal question elicited by the excerpt. These entries should be a reflection of your thoughts as you read the book and interact with the author(s) AVOID: Taking excerpts out of context Entries that begin with: “this is…”, “in this quote/passage…”, “this quote shows…” or the like. Superficial attempts at analysis or mere summarization of the passage. Trying to complete this project a day or two before the due date is tedious and almost never results in a satisfactory product (or grade) This journal will count the same as a test, and should be submitted through Turnitin.com by the third day of class. (Instructions will be given the first day of class). Edited 2015 The American Cause Two Column Journals – AP U.S. Government and Politics Rubric for Dialectical Journal on The American Cause Formatting (15 points) Quotes (20 points) Quality and length of commentary (50 points) Grammar and Punctuation (15 points) Edited 2015 Name:___________________________________________ Score:______________ 15-14 Format of MLA heading, journal, and citations are 100% correct or only 1 minor mistake. At least 2 entries for the introduction, each chapter and the Afterword in order of appearance. 20-17 Quotes are long enough to understand their context in the chapter, are of significance to the author’s thesis, and labeled with the chapter and page number. 13-11 Format of MLA heading, journal, and citations are 75% correct or no more than 4 mistakes. 10-8 Format of MLA heading, journal, and citations are 50% correct or more than 5 mistakes. 7-0 Format of MLA heading, journal, and citations are 25% correct with numerous errors in formatting. Work looks like it was done last minute. 16-13 Some quotes (less than 25%) may not be long enough to understand their context in the chapter and may not be labeled with the chapter and page number. 12-8 Half of the quotes may not be long enough to understand their context in the chapter and/or are not labeled with the chapter and page number. 7-0 Most quotes are not long enough to understand their context in the chapter and may not be labeled with the chapter and page number Most quotes are missing. Work looks like it was done last minute. 50-45 Commentary consistently demonstrates insight into the text. Commentary is at least 4 solid sentences. Analysis is thorough, insightful and thought-provoking, reflecting careful reading and appropriate selection of examples. Commentary relates directly to the text provided, exploring the deeper meaning of the book. 15-14 Virtually no spelling or punctuation errors. 44-40 Commentary is insightful but could be more thoroughly developed. For the most part (75%), analysis is thorough, insightful and thought provoking. Commentary relates to the text provided, but may boarder on surface level analysis. Commentary is slightly lacking in length. 39-30 Commentary is uneven and lacking in development. The commentary begins with “in this quote…” or “this quote shows…” Entries (50%) are somewhat insightful, reflecting general reading comprehension rather than thought-provoking analysis. Commentary is significantly lacking in length. 29-0 Little or no commentary. Severely lacking in length and depth of understanding. Confusing and illogical. Work looks like it was done last minute. 13-11 A few spelling/punctuation errors which do not interfere with meaning. 10-8 A number of spelling/punctuation errors which occasionally interfere with meaning. 7-0 So many spelling and/or punctuation errors that the paper is very difficult to read.