Mr. Watson
American Government
Writing Component – Study Guide
Unit 4a Origins of Democracy to 1776
Directions: You will be required to write a short essay as part of your final exam. This study guide provides
guidelines for you to write a draft that you can use for your final answer on the test based. You will write
on a separate sheet of paper about the following statement (PROVE IT WITH A MINIMUM OF FOUR PIECES
OF EVIDENCE):
Numerous historical documents influenced the colonists’ beliefs about self-government.
Your writing will be based on the rubric below. To earn the most points, follow the criteria in the “4 –
Above Standards” column.
Suggestions for how to draft your document are provided below the rubric.
4 - Above Standards
3 - Meets Standards
2Approaching Standards 1 - Below Standards
Position Statement &
Conclusion
The position statement
and the conclusion are
clear.
The position statement
and the conclusion are
somewhat clear.
The position statement
or the conclusion is
missing.
There is no position
statement and there is
no conclusion.
Support for Position
Includes FOUR accurate
pieces of evidence to
support the position
statement.
Includes at least
THREE accurate pieces
of evidence to support
the position statement.
Includes at least TWO
accurate pieces of
evidence to support the
position statement.
Includes ONE accurate
piece of evidence to
support the position
statement.
CATEGORY
Explanation of evidence Clearly explains all
FOUR pieces of
evidence.
Clearly explains at least Includes at least TWO Might explain at least
THREE pieces of
clear explanations of the one piece of evidence.
evidence.
evidence.
Using proper grammar
and organization
Some errors, but show
understanding
Very few errors
Multiple errors
Many errors
WrIting Guidelines:
1. Write an introduction that clearly states what you are going to say. Example: “The colonists had a
variety of documents that influenced their ideas about self-government. These included….”
2. In each paragraph note which document. In that paragraph you want to provide information
about it, including the name, date it was created, who created it, and why it is important.
Example: “For example, the Magna Carta was….. It was created in [date] by [people]. It was
important because…”
3. Use at least 3 more paragraphs talking about the three other documents discussed in class. Use a
similar organization as number 2 but try to vary words and sentences used.
4. Make sure organization is good with smooth “flow” – especially important are transition
statements.
5. In conclusion, restate the introduction. Example: “These were not the only documents, but do
show how the colonists were influenced.…”
6. Use proper grammar, formatting, and spelling.