Primary Source Paper
20 points
You will select a primary source from any historical period covered in our course. The essay assignment requires a close reading of a primary source.
You will select 1 primary source.
The essay is to be typed, 3-5 pages in length, size 12 font, Times New Roman, double-spaced, and turned in on the due date. The essay requires that you consult 2 secondary sources (Wikipedia is not an acceptable source). Insert the citations as footnotes. You must cite all sources according to the Chicago style format. http://www.citationmachine.net/chicago/cite-a-book The rubric is in the module.
Late submissions will not be accepted under any circumstance. You will be submitting your paper to turnitin.com within Canvas. The similarity percentage needs to be 32% or less.
33% similarity percentages will lead to a F on the assignment. Make sure you cite correctly.
The analysis paper should begin with an introductory paragraph and a thesis statement. The introductory paragraph needs to be followed by four to six paragraphs that answer the assigned questions listed down below and supports the thesis statement.
Your analysis on the PRIMARY SOURCE must answer the following questions:
Clarify the historical context (author and audience, date, central issue) of the primary source.
The essay must be in your own words. Feel free to consult me at any time. Id be happy to provide you with feedback.
Paper Scoring Rubric (20 points)
I will be using the following rubric to grade your paper.
A 18-20 points
B 16-17 points
C 14-15 points
D 12-13 points
F 1-11 points
A: Organization 1 point
Thesis has an argument or an interpretation, historical evidence is provided, essay is
organized into coherent and logical paragraphs. 0-1 errors in the historical evidence provided.
B. Addresses all parts of the questions 10 points
1. What is the title of the primary source? When was the document written?
2. Who is the author? What is the authors background or position in society? What is the authors bias? What does the author feel strongly in favor of or strongly against?
3. Who is the intended audience?
4. What is the central issue in the document?
5. Are any historical events mentioned the primary source? What does the document tell us about the historical era?
C. Originality 2 points
0-10% 2 points
11-32% 1 point
33% or higher you will receive an F on the assignment.
D. Length (3 page minimum ) 3 points
3 pages 3 points
2 pages 2 points
1 page 1 point
E. Chicago Citations 4 points
1 point for correctly identifying a primary source in the essay.
1 point for correctly distinguishing two secondary sources from a primary source in the essay.
1 point bibliography has three sources cited correctly.
1 point footnotes has 3 sources cited correctly.
Mendez v. Westminster & The Chavez Ravine
