Grade 9/10 Unit 4 History Essay

You will write a 5-7 page essay. The essay will be double-spaced with 12 pt. font (Times New
Roman, Arial, Cambria, or similar fonts are appropriate) and with regular margins (around 2.5cm).
You must use in-text citations for direct quotes and include a works cited page for all of your
sources (minimum 3 sources).

Organizing the Essay

1. Introduction: three parts

- Engage the reader in your topic and provide background information/context (roughly 3-5
sentences)
- Provide a blueprint/outline for the rest of your essay (3-5 main points which each
support your thesis statement)
- End the paragraph with a succinct and specific, well-worded thesis statement

The introduction is your own work. As the author of the essay, it is YOUR responsibility
to introduce the argument, so it is best to avoid quotes from other authors/sources here.

2. Body: roughly 3-5 main points, one paragraph per main idea
- Introduce each idea with a topic sentence
- Provide supporting evidence for each idea from primary and secondary sources
- End each paragraph with a transition sentence

3. Conclusion:
- Last thing your readers will remember so it needs to be strong
- Restate all of your points, summarize the body of your essay
- Restate your thesis by re-wording it

Remember
This is a formal essay, which means:

- no first person pronouns (I, you, we)

- no questions (ex: what kind of person would do such a thing?)
- no contractions
- write consistently in past tense (except when using direct quotes; do not change the
original wording)
- proofread extensively for mistakes in spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc.
- it is a good idea to print out a draft of your essay when you think you are finished writing it
in order to read it, re-read it, and make corrections if possible, have someone else read it
and listen to their suggestions then make more corrections!

Get used to writing and re-writing your papers to help improve your skills as a writer
Unit 4 History Essay Rubric Grade 9/10 Name:_________________________
Master 90-100% Proficient 80-89% Apprentice 70-79% Beginner 60-69%
Topic & Strong, well-developed Valid thesis; Limited, confused, or Thesis not
Thesis thesis; clearly addresses addresses the topic; poorly developed identifiable or does
the topic; easily may be lacking thesis; fails to address not address the
identifiable, sophisticated, insight the topic; vague or topic
insightful unclear
10 9 8.5 8 7.5 7 6.5 6
Organiz- Masterful organization Demonstrates clear Vague, unclear, often Plan is unclear;
ation contributes to effective and appropriate plan; jumps from point to transitions
communication; effective minor repetition or point; few or weak confusing and
introduction shows the sentences out of transitions; more than unclear; lack of
structure of the essay; order; few unclear one paragraph lacks a topic sentences and
excellent transitions from transitions; at most topic sentence and concluding
point to point; body one paragraph concluding sentence; sentences
paragraphs have topic without a topic lack of organization
sentences and concluding sentence and/or interferes with
sentences; effective concluding transition communication
conclusion paragraph sentence
20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12
Argument All points are reasonable, Points are clear, flow Logic may be faulty or Lack of coherent,
sound, and thoughtfully logically, and make points may be unclear. logical points.
sequenced sense. One main point More than one lacks Simplistic view of
may lack adequate support the topic. Many
development or have contradictions.
inadequate support Lacking support
20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12
Use of Abundant and accurate Accurate, relevant Points often lack General failure to
Evidence primary/secondary source source information supporting evidence. support points with
information used to used to support Evidence is limited in evidence, or the
support every point almost every point depth or quality evidence given does
not support points
20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12
Sources & Superior research & Solid research & Minimal research & Lack of acceptable
Citations sources; thorough use of sources; adequate use questionable sources; research & sources;
proper in-text citations; of in-text citations; numerous errors in in- major errors in
error-free works cited proficient works cited text citations and citations and works
page page works cited page cited page
20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12
Writing Clear and objective style; Straightforward and Simplistic or vague Inappropriate style;
Style powerful word choice; factual style; style; verb tense lacks frequent errors
consistent use of past appropriate word consistency; may use block
tense and third person; no choice; use of past contractions or comprehension and
contractions; no tense and third definitives; may be clarity; failure to
definitives; not person; avoids evaluative; frequent use past tense and
evaluative; no errors in contractions; some errors in spelling, third person;
spelling, grammar, and errors grammar, and subjective and
punctuation punctuation evaluative
10 9 8.5 8 7.5 7 6.5 6
Total mark: