GRADE 11 MINI-ESSAY:

THESIS FORMATION & BIBLIOGRAPHY

Instructions: Complete the following questions and submit to moodle by due date.
Topic: ______
1.What is your topic and why is it important to American History? Explain.

2.Write down your proposed thesis. Remember the thesis should be a definitive statement of what the essay will prove. It must be argumentative and include the three main arguments.
Thesis Checklist:Is the thesis in clear and concise _____
Is the thesis arguable (takes one side of an issue)? _____
Does the thesis include 3 arguments? _____
Does the thesis use parallel structure _____

Thesis statement:

Thesis Example:The decision to drop the atomic bomb on Japan was correct because it ended the war quickly, it saved American lives and it kept the Soviet Union out of Southeast Asia.

For each of your arguments, give supporting examples and evidence. Remember that you must include the source where your evidence is from.

Argument / Evidence that Proves the Argument
+ Source

3.Using Easybib Citation Builder in proper MLA format, provide Bibliography that includes a minimum of 5 sources, in which you must have at least THREE of the following:

  • Scholarly journal or article (online)
  • Website
  • Book
  • Encyclopaedia / electronic media
  • Popular Writing (magazine or newspaper)
  • Primary Document

THESIS FORMATION & BIBLIOGRAPHY RUBRIC

Criteria / Level 4 / Level 3 / Level 2 / Level 1
Thesis
(Thinking / Communication) / - thesis is exceptionally clear, arguable, well developed
-thesis uses parallel structure
-thesis is a definitive statement
-thesis makes a clear reference to the question and topic, / - thesis is clear and arguable
-thesis attempts to use parallel structure
-thesis is a definitive statement
-thesis makes reference to the question and topic, / - thesis is somewhat clear and arguable
-thesis needs to use parallel structure
-thesis is somewhat definitive
-thesis makes some reference to the question andtopic,. / -thesis is weak and lacks an arguable position
-thesis need to make reference to the question andtopic.
Supporting Evidence / -exceptional supporting evidence for all three arguments that critically relates to the thesis and includes source in proper MLA format / -proficient supporting evidence for all three arguments that relates to the thesis and includes source in proper MLA format / -some good supporting evidence for all arguments that somewhat relates to the thesis and includes source in proper MLA format / -lack of supporting evidence that relates to the thesis and need to cite in proper MLA format
Bibliography
(Knowledge / Application) / -proper, detailed MLA format always used in alphabetical order with all sources shown and a wide variety of sources (5+ sources) / -mostly proper MLA format used in alphabetical order with all sources shown and a variety of sources(5 sources) / -some errors in MLA format with most sources shown and a variety of sources from 4 sources / -lack of proper format and limited details with many sources missing or incomplete