HIST 101
The Role of Slavery & the U.S. Constitution: Position Paper Guidelines
(no electronic or late copies will be accepted)
Worth: 150 points
This term you are set the task of writing a 4 – 6 page position paper regarding the status of slavery in Early American History and the impact of race, labor, and compromise concerning the formation and foundation of the U.S. government. You may wish to considering some of the following (philosophical) questions before you get started:
- Do you think the framers of the Constitution could have limited or banned slavery? Why or why not?
- Why was slavery so important to those in the North and South? And did the economic value offered by slave labor ultimately overrule the immorality of human bondage from a federal and state level?
- Does the fear of a Civil War, disrupting a newly formed nation, offer a reprieve to the Founding Fathers, who fought to hold the nation together despite the immense moral costs?
- Can it be argued that an early approach to slavery in the United States and its protection under the U.S. Constitution, eventually create a federally protected system of tolerance to racism, discrimination, and segregation?
Recognize that a position paper is designed to encourage you to “present an arguable opinion about an issue. The goal of a position paper is to convince the audience that your opinion is valid and worth listening to. Ideas that you are considering need to be carefully examined in choosing a topic, developing your argument, and organizing your paper. [Consequently,] it is very important to ensure that you are addressing all sides of the issue and presenting it in a manner that is easy for your audience to understand. Your job is to take one side of the argument and persuade your audience that you have well-founded knowledge of the topic being presented. [Also,] it is important to support your argument with evidence to ensure the validity of your claims, as well as to address the counterclaims to show that you are well informed about both sides.”[1]
Materials for this paper should come from the materials given to you via WebCampus, your textbook and/or lecture notes. You should also consider researching your position further by locating source materials through the Library. Internet research can be conducted, but only after I have approved the sites you are considering. Remember, I am interested in your own position on this topic and not that of a third parties interpretation.
Grading will be based on how well organized and defined your position is. Bear in mind that I do not have to agree with your position, but points will be deducted – on both sides – if I can poke visible holes in your argument or if there are broader issues and questions that you have alluded to, but have not fully addressed.
Please contact me with any questions!
Requirements Factored in for Full Points:
- Page requirement: 4 – 6 full pages (you may go over the limit, but do not fall below three full pages)
- 12-point font, normal standard margins, Times New Roman, double space
- Name and Title only on first page
- Page numbers – either top or bottom
- Must use a balance of primary and secondary sources provided to you via WebCampus or textbook and lecture notes only – any additional sources must be checked by me prior to use.
- Standard grammar rules apply
- Introduction, Body, and Conclusion
- Develop a thesis statement that summarizes your position and include the thesis in an introduction.
- End your paper with a concluding paragraph that summarizes/reinforces your main points of your position
- A paragraph includes a minimum of four sentences
- Proper writing grammar – could not instead of couldn’t, will not instead of won’t, should not instead of shouldn’t
- Avoid using the following words to begin a sentence: It and However
- Introduction, Body, and Conclusion
- Provide in-text page references for any and all ideas, quotes, and examples that do not originate in your own head. Plagiarism (even if unintentional) is unacceptable and warrants an F for the assignment. So utilize either MLA (author, page number) or Chicago Manuel Style (footnote or endnote) citations. For Chicago Manuel Style please refer to http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide.html
- Your paper should include analysis of specific quotes and examples from the reading to further illustrate and offer support to your points.
- I am happy to brainstorm ideas and answer questions before/after class. I will offer feedback on thesis statements and drafts until, before the due date.
Sample Outline:
Part I: Introduction (minimum 4 sentences)
- Set the stage.
- Provide background on the topic – What is at stake?
- What are they arguing? Thesis statement – what are you going to talk about and why? What is your view on the issue
Part II: Counter Argument (2 – 3 paragraphs)
- Summarize the counterclaims (what are the arguments being made against your position?)
- Provide supporting information for counterclaims
- Refute the counterclaims using solid facts
- Give evidence for argument
Part III: Your Argument (3 – 4 paragraphs)
- Assert point #1 of your claims
- Give your opinion
- Provide factual support
- Assert point #2 of your claims
- Give your opinion
- Provide factual support
- Assert point #3 of your claims
- Give your opinion
- Provide factual support
Part IV: Conclusion (minimum 4 sentences)
- Reiterate your argument – Do not directly repeat your thesis, introduction, or arguments presented in the body of your paper
- Provide a plan of action or possible solutions
Grading Standard:
“A” Paper (90-100%)
- Clearly identifies the issue
- Presents a clear thesis that fully states your position on the topic
- Provides sufficient background to the issue
- Provides a well balanced counter argument and argument with good, factual supporting evidence
- Opinions are clearly expressed and supported with good, factual evidence
- Has clear introduction and conclusion that reinforces the main argument
- Uses substantial information provided via WebCampus, textbook, and/or lecture notes
- Includes a proper writing style, essay format, and clear citations
“B” Paper (80-89%)
- Clearly identifies the issue
- Presents a clear thesis that fully states your position on the topic
- Provides sufficient background to the issue, but does not clearly express your position
- Provides a well balanced counter argument and argument with supporting evidence, but does not clearly reinforce your thesis
- Opinions are clearly expressed, but not fully supported by good, factual evidence
- Has clear introduction and conclusion that reinforces the main argument
- Uses information provided via WebCampus, textbook, and/or lecture notes
- Includes a proper writing style, essay format, and citations with minor problems
“C” Paper (70-79%)
- Does not clearly identify the issue
- Presents an unclear thesis that does not explicitly link your argument and position
- Provides insufficient background to the issue and position not clearly expressed
- Unbalanced counter argument and argument with little supporting evidence that does not clearly reinforce your thesis
- Opinions are not clearly expressed and/or are not fully supported with factual evidence
- Does not have a clear introduction and conclusion that reinforces the main argument
- Uses some information provided via WebCampus, textbook, lecture notes
- Includes additional sources that have not been approved of by the instructor
- Recurring problems involving writing style, essay format, and/or citations
“D” or “F” (69% and Below)
- Does not clearly identify the issue
- Does not include a thesis statement, argument, and/or position
- Provides little to no background information related to the issue or position
- Provides little to no balance regarding a counter argument and argument
- Expresses opinions without factual support evidence
- Does not have a clear introduction and conclusion that reinforces the main argument
- Does no use information provided via WebCampus, textbook, land/or lecture notes
- Includes sources that have not been approved of by the instructor
- Substantial or severe problems involving writing style, essay format, and/or citations
