Student Name ___________________________________________
Project 2
Evaluation 32
American History 1 SSTH 033 059
Project Instructions
In this project, you will write an essay in which you express and defend a thesis (point of view) about a historical topic. Select Option 1, Option 2, or Option 3 (scroll down to see them). Your project should follow the traditional essay format:
Begin with an introductory paragraph in which you briefly summarize your topic. In one or a few sentences, express a thesis, or point of view. Your thesis will be a personal response to the question you are answering. You will express a personal view about a historic issue.
Body paragraphs will make up the bulk of your essay. Use the body paragraphs to support and defend your thesis. Remember that each body paragraph should include a topic sentence. Other sentences in the paragraph should relate to the topic sentence.
Finish your essay with a concluding paragraph. Summarize what you have said in the essay and boldly recap your ideas. Do NOT simply restate your thesis.
If you use any direct quotations, be sure to cite them correctly. Refer to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, which may be accessed online or in many libraries.
Option 1
Using your textbook and syllabus, write an essay of at least 600 words in which you answer the following question:
How would you describe Andrew Jackson’s presidency? Was it a time of democracy in America? Why or why not? Be sure to consider social, economic, and political changes that occurred in Jackson’s administration.
There are one hundred possible points on this project. In your essay, you should:
Present a clear thesis. In your introduction, you must clearly express an opinion about the question. Any view is correct, as long as you defend it logically with evidence from your course materials. (25 points possible)
Discuss social changes that occurred during Jackson’s presidency. You should analyze the American social class structure, interactions among social groups, and policies toward different groups within society. (20 points possible)
Evaluate economic changes that occurred during Jackson’s presidency. What were the changes; why did they occur; and what effect did they have? (20 points possible)
Analyze political changes that occurred during Jackson’s presidency. How did the American political process develop, and what were Jackson’s views toward the Union? (20 points possible)
Use essay format. Follow the introduction-body paragraphs-concluding paragraph style. Your paper should read smoothly, and your word choice should reflect your ideas and beliefs. (10 points possible)
Use proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation. (5 points possible)
Option 2
Using your textbook and syllabus, write an essay of at least 600 words in which you answer the following question:
Of the reforms that took place in America during the nineteenth century, which one was most important? What issues did the reform raise, and how did it affect American society?
There are one hundred possible points on this project. In your essay, you should:
Present a clear thesis. In your introduction, you must clearly express an opinion about the question. Any view is correct, as long as you defend it logically with evidence from your course materials. The rest of your essay should support this thesis. (20 points possible)
Describe the reform about which you are writing and summarize the major events relating to this reform. (20 points possible)
Evaluate the effect of religion and philosophy on this reform. Use specific examples. (20 points possible)
Discuss the effects of the reform on American society, noting the way(s) in which the reform shaped American history. (25 points possible)
Use essay format. Follow the introduction-body paragraphs-concluding paragraph style. Your paper should read smoothly, and your word choice should reflect your ideas and beliefs. (10 points possible)
