Name ______Period ____
H US History Wilson
Rags to Riches Comic Strip
Due Date:
Assignment:
Students will create a comic strip depicting the “Rags to Riches” story of a fictitious immigrant and his/her rise to become a wealthy industrialist in Gilded Age America circa 1880-1900. In doing so, students will demonstrate an understanding of the themes, events, and issues of this time period.
Requirements:
1. You must utilize exactly twelve frames for the comic strip –no more, no less.
2. You must use the blank frames provided in class –nothing smaller, nothing larger.
3. Color may be used. It is not required, but often helps to clarify elements within an image.
4. Drawing ability will not be evaluated, but a good faith effort is expected to depict interesting, dramatic scenes with detail, time-period accuracy, and humor (where appropriate).
5. Comic book conventions/style should be used. Reference the sample for details.
6. Written text may be used in a variety of ways:
o dialogue bubbles – when characters speak
o thought bubbles – what characters think but don’t say
o narration text – usually set off at the top or bottom of a frame
o written information within the image –for example signs, billboards, documents, etc.
7. Written text should be in the spirit of the times, but not necessarily in the formal dialect of the Gilded Age. Text should not copy quotations or use academic vocabulary from class. For example, a character would never say “The pull factor for me to go to America is job opportunity in the manufacturing sector.” Text should feel natural for the characters.
8. No text and/or imagery should be inappropriate for a school assignment.
Your task will be less challenging if you plan what to include in your work. Try to create unique characters and “tell a story”. Give your characters hopes and dreams and make their world as specific as you can imagine.
TAKING THE PULSE OF AMERICA COMIC STRIP RUBRIC
(required elements are easily identifiable) / ACCURACY
(places, themes, ideas and events are drawn from history)
check indicates presence / check indicates presence
1 / Introduce the immigrant(s) in their home- land; include name(s), nationality and job type.
2 / Depict hardships in the homeland. At least one “pull” and one “push” factor.
3 / Arrival in America. Specific port of entry and initial processing in the U.S.
4 / Two living conditions for the Immigrant.
5 / Two working conditions for the Immigrant. Type of work should be clear.
6 / Union activity: Immigrant takes part in a strike or union negotiation. Union name and two specific labor issues included.
7 / Citizenship: Immigrant votes in the 1896 Presidential election. At least one pertinent election issue.
8 / Becoming an entrepreneur: Immigrant opens a business. Type of business specified.
9 / Building a monopoly: Immigrant uses either horizontal or vertical integration. Include specific industry and type of business activity.
10 / Wealthy friends: Immigrant meets other industrialists at a party. Discussion reflects one of the following ideologies:
Social Darwinism
Gospel of Wealth
Horatio Algerism
Materialism
11 / Use of wealth: What the Immigrant does with money: life of leisure, philanthropy, etc.
12 / Cemetery: headstone and epitaph; a phrase that sums up the person’s world view.
Format/Completeness (followed all guidelines, completed the work)
5 4 3 2 1
Excellent Very Good Good Lacking Poor
Grammar/Accuracy (text is accurate, allowing for exceptions in colloquial dialogue)
5 4 3 2 1
Excellent Very Good Good Lacking Poor
Presentation (demonstrated pride in work, creativity, and good faith effort)
5 4 3 2 1
Excellent Very Good Good Lacking Poor