Issues & Controversies in History Analysis #3 Instructions
Read these instructions carefully!
Step 1: Choose a topic.
You will be provided with three topics to choose from in the Module Two materials:
• Amistad Revolt
• Secession of the Southern States
• Civil War: Sherman’s March
Choose ONE of the topics for your analysis assignment.
See the file explaining how to navigate the submodules if you are having trouble.
Step 2: Identify the question you will answer in the analysis.
It will be at the top of the Full Article under the title. Let’s use the Amistad Revolt article as an example:
Question: Should the United States aid the rebels?
You will see three files in each topic submodule (folder):
• The Full Article
• Primary Sources
• Discussion Questions
Example:
Each FULL ARTICLE includes the following:
• The question
• A quick summary of the arguments in favor and arguments against (most of your information provided in response to questions 3–6 will come from the Case for/Case against sections later in the article, which will provide you with the detail you need in the analysis)
• Background sections
• The case for
• The case against
• Conclusion
• Bibliography
Read the entire Full Article. Then, find the Primary Sources file included in the folder and read those. Notice the Discussion Questions files are located at the bottom of each submodule.
Read all the materials, and then answer the following questions:
1. What is the question you are answering?
2. Summarize the issue and the background in your own words in a paragraph or two.
3. Discuss the “case for” in your own words in at least a paragraph. (Notice, this is not the argument summary at the top of the article. This question is based on the full “case for” discussion later in the article.)
4. Explain the evidence or arguments in the “case for” you think were most convincing and why.
5. Discuss the “case against” in at least a paragraph (again, don’t just focus on the summary of arguments at the top of the article).
6. Briefly explain the evidence or arguments in the “case against” you think were most convincing and why.
7. What is your opinion on the topic? Explain why you hold this opinion, identifying the evidence on which you have based it in a paragraph.
8. Primary sources: Choose three of the primary sources to analyze. Explain what each is how each one impacts your thoughts about the topic. You can list them and explain each.
9. Choose one of the Discussion Questions at the end of the article to answer in a paragraph or two. Don’t address a question that you have already discussed in the analysis.
In addition:
• “Paragraph” means you should develop each response effectively and thoughtfully with rich supporting detail.
• Cite your sources with in–text citations when you borrow the ideas or exact words of a source.
Use the last name of the author of the main article to cite sources from the main article in–text citations. For the primary sources, you will typically use the title of the primary source in your in– text citation. The most important thing is that you acknowledge your sources in some way!
• Be sure to revise and edit your responses before submitting your assignment!
• Submit your assignment as a Microsoft Word document (.doc or .docx file) or a PDF.
• Find the template attached with these instructions to use if you want.
Evaluation
Your entry or entries will be evaluated based on the rubric included with these instructions. In short, you will be graded on the following:
• Responses to each question include the appropriate amount of detail.
• Content borrowed from sources is cited correctly with in–text citations.
• Grammar, punctuation, and spelling meet academic standards and do not interfere with meaning or present distractions to the reader.
When you are ready to submit your assignment, submit it through the Analysis #3 Assignment Submission link as a Word document or a PDF.
