Part E. Essay (Communication)
20 marks
Choose ONE of the following questions and answer in a formal five-paragraph argumentative essay.
Analyze the reasons for escalating anti-British sentiment in the American colonies during the prewar decade
from 1765 to 1775.
OR
What were nonimportation agreements and the boycott? Which had a greater effect on American-British
relations?
OR
Compare and contrast Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence with Thomas Paine’s pamphlet
“Common Sense.” Which had the greater effect on revolutionary America? Use specific examples to support
your argument.
OR
Identify the United States policy before World War II and how that policy changed.
OR
Identify the events that led the United States to change its policies leading into World War II
OR
Analyze the extent to which the United States could have stayed out of World War
Reminder of Proper Essay Format
1st Paragraph
2nd Paragraph
- Introduction
-introduce subtopic 1
- background
-state evidence
information
-give critical analysis
- thesis
of evidence and
-list 3 subtopics
connect to thesis
-transition to next
section
3rd Paragraph
-introduce subtopic 2
-state evidence
-give critical analysis
of evidence and
connect to thesis
-transition to next
section
4th Paragraph
-introduce subtopic 3
-state evidence
-give critical analysis of
evidence and connect to
thesis
-transition to next
section
5th Paragraph
- Conclusion
- restate thesis
- restate 3 subtopics
- positive and moral
lesson
ESSAY RUBRIC
Criteria
Level 4
Level 3
Level 2
Level 1
THESIS
Thesis is insightful, critical
and clearly frames
subtopics
Thesis is concise,
argumentative and
states subtopics in
order
Thesis is vague; not
all three subtopics
relate to argument
Poor thesis; lack of
framework or relation
for subtopics
1
ARUGMENTS
Demonstrates exceptional
insight and analysis into
arguments
EVIDENCE
All evidence is exceptional,
accurate and always
supports thesis
Essay uses structure in a
natural and logical
progression of ideas
STRUCTURE
LANGUAGE
Exceptional use of
language and vocabulary
which enhances the
arguments
Analysis clearly
indicates importance
and significance of
arguments
Most evidence is
effective and accurate
and supports thesis
Appropriate structure
(intro, thesis, 3 body
paragraphs,
conclusion)
Sound use of
language conventions
2
Lack of analysis and
more elaboration and
connection to thesis is
needed
Some errors in
accuracy or poorly
chosen evidence
Some elements of
structure are missing
Some spelling and
grammatical errors
Severe lack of
analysis or insight
Evidence is
inaccurate and fails to
support arguments
Structure is used
incorrectly
Essay is incoherent
and spelling /
grammar are weak