Assignment for the Week November 17th - 21st

THEMATIC ESSAY QUESTION

Directions: Write a well-organized essay that includes an introduction, several paragraphs addressing the task below, and a conclusion.

Theme: The Constitution and Change

The United States Constitution not only provides a basic framework of government, but also allows for the flexibility to adapt to changes over time.


Task: Identify two basic constitutional principles and discuss how each principle allows the government to adapt to changes in the United States.

For each constitutional principle you discuss, describe a specific historical circumstance when the principle was used to meet the changing needs of American political, social, or economic life.


You may use any geographic feature from your study of United States history. Some suggestions you might wish to consider include: the amendment process, the elastic clause, judicial review, equality, civil liberties, presidential power in foreign affairs, and presidential power during wartime.

You are not limited to these suggestions.




THEMATIC ESSAY
GENERIC SCORING RUBRIC

Score of 5: Shows a thorough understanding of the theme
Addresses all aspects of the task
Shows an ability to analyze, evaluate, compare, and/or contrast issues and events
Richly supports essay with relevant facts, examples, and details
Is a well-developed essay, consistently demonstrating a logical and clear plan of organization
Introduces the theme or problem by establishing a framework that is beyond a simple restatement of the task and concludes with a summation of the theme or problem

Score of 4: Shows a good understanding of the theme
Addresses all aspects of the task
Shows an ability to analyze, evaluate, compare, and/or contrast issues and events
Includes relevant facts, examples, and details, but may not support all aspects of the task evenly
Is a well-developed essay, demonstrating a logical and clear plan of organization
Introduces the theme or problem by establishing a framework that is beyond a simple restatement of the task and concludes with a summation of the theme or problem

Score of 3: Shows a satisfactory understanding of the theme or problem
Addresses most aspects of the task or addresses all aspects in a limited way
Shows an ability to analyze or evaluate issues and events, but not in any depth
Includes some facts, examples, and details
Is a satisfactorily developed essay, demonstrating a general plan of organization
Introduces the theme or problem by repeating the task and concludes by repeating the theme or problem

Score of 2: Shows limited understanding of the theme or problem
Attempts to address the task
Develops a faulty analysis or evaluation of issues and events
Includes few facts, examples, and details, and may include information that contains inaccuracies
Is a poorly organized essay lacking focus
Fails to introduce or summarize the theme or problem

Score of 1: Shows limited understanding of the theme or problem
Lacks an analysis or evaluation of the issues and events
Includes little or no accurate or relevant facts, examples, or details
Attempts to complete the task, but demonstrates a major weakness in organization
Fails to introduce or summarize the theme or problem

Score of 0: Fails to address the theme, is illegible, or is a blank paper


Reproduced from the August 2001 United States History and Government Regents Exam
Permission to use this resource is granted only for educational, non-profit use.