Week 1 The Dynamics of Identity & Labels
Week 2 The U.S. Mexico War
Week 3 Mexican American Lynching & Segregation
Week 4 WWII & the Bracero Program
Week 5 Mexican American Education & the Chicano Movement
Week 6 Mexican Americans in the 2000s
You have the option of choosing which theme you would like to analyze. You may choose any aspect to analyze. For instance, you can discuss women in WWII, you can discuss the experience of Texas Braceros, you can analyze the significance of the Mexican American Education court cases, you can discuss the significance of the Chicano movement and its legacy, etc. If you are unsure and need guidance, feel free to email me the weekly theme youre interested in and I will help you narrow down a specific topic. It should be 4 pages (FULL pages).
What is an analytical paper?
When you are required to write an analytical essay, it means in your essay you should present some argument, and then to analyze it thoroughly.
Elements
The basic elements of academic essay writing are two: a thesis and evidence, divided into three parts: an introduction, the systematic development of an argument with EVIDENCE, and a conclusion. All scholarly writing, from the most concise paper to the longest book, follows these basic guidelines.
Paper Guidelines:
Citation: Chicago Manual of Style, MLA, or APA (just be consistent)
https://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide/citation-guide-2.html
https://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide/citation-guide-1.html
Times New Roman, 12 point font, 1 inch margins, double-spaced
You must cite at least THREE sources. They can be readings from class or outside academic articles that youve found.
You should have at least TWO direct quotes from a reading. Additional evidence may be paraphrased and referenced.
Grading Rubric
Points
Criteria
31.5 – 35
points (A)
Well-developed thesis directly addressing the topic.
Persuasive analysis of the topic, addressing all parts of the topic; analysis demonstrates thorough understanding of all sides of a question (as appropriate).
Outstanding grasp of general historical issues raised by topic.
Numerous specific examples demonstrate detailed knowledge of relevant history.
Extremely well organized, with a clear introduction, argument, and conclusion.
Well written in appropriate standard English; few grammatical errors or colloquialisms
28 31.4
points (B)
Clear thesis addressing the topic.
Good analysis of the topic, addressing most parts of the topic; analysis demonstrates understanding of all sides of a question (as appropriate), though may be unevenly developed.
Good grasp of general historical issues raised by topic.
Several specific examples demonstrate good knowledge of relevant history.
Well organized, with an introduction, argument, and conclusion.
Clearly written in appropriate standard English; some grammatical errors or colloquialisms.
24.5 27.9
points (C)
Thesis indicates some aspect of the topic; more a restatement of than a point about the topic.
Analysis of the topic, addressing most parts of the topic; analysis adequate but unevenly developed.
Some grasp of general historical issues raised by topic, though some significant issues may be omitted.
Some specific examples demonstrate knowledge of relevant history; some clearly relevant examples omitted.
Contains at least two of the following: introduction, argument, and conclusion; organization may be somewhat unclear.
Understandable, but contains several grammatical errors or colloquialisms.
0 24.4
(Anywhere from an F to a D)
No discernible thesis and/or serious misunderstanding of the topic.
Descriptive rather than analytical; marginally related to the topic; significant logical gaps.
Little grasp of general historical issues raised by topic.
Few and/or erroneous specific examples demonstrate little knowledge of relevant history.
Poorly organized: no clear introduction, argument, or conclusion.
Pattern of grammatical errors and/or inappropriate colloquialisms.
