Name:_________________

The Vietnam War Essay

You are going to be doing a writing project in the form of a 5+
paragraph essay. The essay will be answering the question:

Was the U.S. justified in going to War in

Vietnam?

You have received a outline graphic organizer to do your pre-

writing, this sheet along with your graphic organizer will be

turned in with your essay.

Checklist for passing in this project

Do you have (staple in this order):

☐ This sheet, with rubric on the back

☐ Your graphic organizer, filled out

☐ Your essay
Your essay will be graded using the following rubric:

1 2 3 4
Poor Fair Good Excellent
Planning and No planning, Very little The project is All aspects of
Class Time Class time used planning went somewhat the project are
Use to disrupt others. into the planned out. planned out.
10% Class resources project, Class Class time Class time
are not or time not used sufficiently used very
inappropriately as wisely as it used to create effectively to
used. could be used. project and create project
students stay and students
on task most of stay on task
the time the whole time.
Organization Ineffective Moderately Effective Highly Effective
30% introduction, Effective introduction introduction
body and introduction containing a containing a
conclusion; containing a thesis; 3 body thesis; 3 body
weak thesis or thesis; 3 body paragraphs paragraphs
no thesis; little paragraphs related to the related to the
evidence of somewhat thesis that thesis that
transitions within related to the include logical include logical
and between thesis that transitions transitions
paragraphs include some within and within and
logical between between
transitions paragraphs; a paragraphs; a
within and comprehensive comprehensive
between conclusion that conclusion that
paragraphs; a powerfully powerfully
conclusion that summarizes summarizes
summarizes main points main points
main points
Content Incomplete Partial Substantial Thorough
50% development of development development of development of
ideas and of ideas and ideas and ideas and
details that are details that are details that are details that are
related to the related to the related to the related to the
question: Was question: Was question: Was question: Was
the U.S. justified the U.S. the U.S. the U.S.
in going to war justified in justified in justified in
in Vietnam? going to war in going to war in going to war in
Vietnam? Vietnam? Vietnam?
Usage Major Somewhat Generally Accurate use of
(grammar and inaccuracies in accurate use accurate use of mechanics,
spelling) the use of of mechanics, mechanics, spelling and
10% mechanics, spelling and spelling and grammar
spelling and grammar grammar
grammar
Essay Organizer/Outline
Paragraph 1: Introduction
Grabber:

Background Information of the Vietnam War:

Restatement of the question:

Thesis (Which side are you taking?):

Paragraph 2: First Body Paragraph

Topic sentence, first reason for your pro/con argument:

Supporting evidence:

Argument:

Paragraph 3: Second Body Paragraph

Topic sentence, second reason for your pro/con argument:

Supporting evidence:

Argument:
Paragraph 4: Third Body Paragraph
Topic sentence, third reason for your pro/con argument:

Supporting evidence:

Argument:

Conclusion
Restate Thesis:

Summarize main points:

Acknowledge a possible argument for the other side and refute: