First Analytical Essay

To express how well you are retaining and analyzing the information and ideas that are presented in the assigned readings and class lectures, you will be completing two Analytical Essays (3-5 full pages each).  To garner the highest possible score on each of these Analytical Essays, you must draft a clear thesis statement in the introduction to each of your Analytical Essays, and you must substantiate that thesis by referencing and analyzing specific information and ideas that are covered in the class readings, lectures, and/or media presentations.  In other words, it will not be enough to simply type, “I think that….” You will have to denote specific details from the lessons and explicitly cite the book pages, speeches, documentaries, and/or other sources you will be using to argue why your thesis is correct.  (See syllabus pages 8-11 for the General Tips for Writing College-Level Essays and the Analytical Essay Evaluation Rubric that I use when grading your written responses.)  Each of the Analytical Essay questions is detailed in an assignment link within the “Assignments & Activities” folder for the Module that a particular essay is due.  You must submit a Microsoft Word-formatted electronic copy in the proper link in the Assignments & Activities folder.  Any essay that is not submitted electronically within the proper link in Blackboard may not be graded or may lose points.  Moreover, you must submit each of your Analytical Essays by the respective deadline specified on the Tentative Topical Outline.  Together, your Analytical Essay responses will comprise up to 50 points of your final grade.  

Draft a 3-5 full paged response to the following prompt for this first of two Analytical Essays of the semester:

Consider the conditions black Americans were facing from the 1890s through 1920. Then, analyze Booker T. Washington’s approach to racial uplift among black Americans. Viewing his approach in the context of the circumstances black Americans were facing during the Nadir, what were the merits and drawbacks of Booker T. Washington’s approach?  

You are only supposed to use the primary and secondary source materials that are provided for you through The Struggle For Freedom and the assigned and supplementary readings and media within the Blackboard classroom. Moreover, you must accurately cite any any all sources you use to write this essay. 

Your 3-5 paged essay should be doubled-spaced with 1″ margins all around.  Moreover, it should be saved and uploaded as an MS Word formatted document.

Essay Response Rubric for each of the Analytical Discussion Board Essay Assignments

A+ to A- Essay

B to B- Essay

C to C- Essay

D to F Essay

Introductory Paragraph and Thesis Statement

3 pts.

The introductory paragraph provides a context for the essay, garners the reader’s attention, and contains a clearly stated and well-developed thesis statement. Moreover, the thesis identifies the question and evaluates the relevance of the issue addressed in the essay prompt.

(3-2.7 pts.)

The introductory paragraph contains a thesis statement. However, it provides only a little context for the essay.  And/Or, the Introduction does little to explicitly garner the reader’s attention.

(2.6-2.4 pts.)

The introductory paragraph has a thesis statement that may be under-developed.  Such a thesis might not completely address the entire essay prompt.  And/Or, the Introduction does not provide much context for the essay.

(2.3-2.1 pt.)

The introductory paragraph merely paraphrases the essay prompt, and/or does not have a thesis.

(2-0 pts.)

Supporting Details and Analysis—Tells WHY the Thesis Is Correct and WHY Readers Should Agree

14 pts.

The essay clearly demonstrates a grasp of the subject matter in that it substantially utilizes and analyzes at least 3 relevant and specific supports to effectively defend the thesis. Moreover, the essay contains no to only a minor error in fact and/or function, and it meets the page requirement for the assignment (4-5 pages for General, 5-6 pages for Honors).

(14-12.6 pts.)

The essay utilizes at least 3 relevant and specific supports in defending the thesis. However, the analysis of those supports could be broader and/or deeper. And, it meets the page requirement for the assignment.

(12.5-11.2 pts.)

The essay offers at least 2 relevant and specific supports.  The essay contains factual information, but lacks much analysis.  And/Or, it is under the page requirement for the assignment.  Or, it only meets the page requirement because it feature less than relevant fluff.

(11.1-9.8 pts.)

The essay contains over-generalizations and/or little to no analysis. The essay demonstrates little depth and/or limited clarity about chronological history. It may also be under the page requirement for the assignment, literally or substantively.

(9.7-0 pts.)

Organization and Citations

4 pts.

The essay contains a clearly defined and organized introduction, body paragraph(s), and conclusion. Each body paragraph has effective transitions and begins with a topic sentence.  The essay properly cites 4 or more sources from the assigned course readings and media.  And, at least 2 of those sources must be assigned primary sources. Moreover, the essay is engagingly written.

(4-3.6 pts.)

The essay is fairly well organized and properly cites 4 or more distinct sources from the assigned course readings and media (2 of which are primary sources).  However, the essay could be more engaging.

(3.5-3.2 pts.)

The essay may lack effective transitions between paragraphs or is less than well-organized.  The essay properly cites 4 or fewer sources.  But, the sources are not from the assigned readings and media, and/or the essay features 1 or fewer primary sources.  The essay may do little to engage the reader.

(3.1-2.8 pts.)

The essay is not well organized.  It may not properly cite at least 4 assigned course readings or media sources.  Or, it may not cite primary sources. 

(2.7-0 pts.)

Voice, Grammar, Punctuation, and Capitalization

4 pts.

The essay is written in the third person (unless otherwise directed).  It follows proper rules of grammar, punctuation, and capitalization, and/or there is no more than 1 typo.  Moreover, the essay is submitted on-time and in the proper electronic format (as well as a hard copy if directed to do so).

(4-3.6 pts.)

The essay is written in the third person (unless otherwise directed), contains only minor errors in grammar, punctuation, and/or capitalization. There are 2 minor typos. Moreover, it is on time and in the proper electronic format. (as well as a hard copy if directed to do so).

(3.5-3.2 pts.)

The essay might be written in the first person (when not explicitly directed to do so). It may contain 3 or more errors in grammar, punctuation, and/or capitalization. It is submitted on-time and in the proper electronic format (as well as a hard copy if directed to do so).

(3.1-2.8 pts.)

The essay might be written in the first person, (when not explicitly directed to do so). It consistently breaks rules of grammar, punctuation, and/or capitalization. There are 4 or more typos.  Or, it is late or not properly submitted.

(2.7-0 pts.)