Name______Period_____

U.S. History & GovDate______

Writing & Reform: Fact Gathering Graphic Organizer

Directions: Gather information in the graphic organizer below. The information gathered will be used for a class essay writing discussion. Provide at least 3 to 5 bullet points for each category. More points will be awarded to students who find more than 5 bullet points for each section. The links provided below will help guide your research but you are not limited to them. Each student is responsible for all four events.

Influential Piece of Writing / ______
Description
Provide a brief and accurate definition of the Amendment
Historical Context–
Describe the historical circumstances surrounding the issue addressed by the author
Background/ what was happening with the U.S. at the time the text was written?
-Why caused the author to create the text?
At least 3-5 bullet points
Impact
Discuss an action taken by the government or a group or an individual in response to the
issue raised by the author.
What was the result of the piece of writing, how did the government or U.S. society respond?
At least 3-5 bullet points
Influential Piece of Writing / ______
Description
Provide a brief and accurate definition of the Amendment
Historical Context–
Describe the historical circumstances surrounding the issue addressed by the author
Background/ what was happening with the U.S. at the time the text was written?
-Why caused the author to create the text?
At least 3-5 bullet points
Impact
Discuss an action taken by the government or a group or an individual in response to the
issue raised by the author.
What was the result of the piece of writing, how did the government or U.S. society respond?
At least 3-5 bullet points

How the Other Half Lives, by Jacob Riis

The Jungle, by Upton Sinclair

History of Standard Oil,by Ida Tarbell

The Shame of Cities, by Lincol Steffens

THEMATIC ESSAY QUESTION

Directions:

Write a well-organized essay that includes an introduction, several paragraphs addressing the task below, and a conclusion.

Theme: Individuals, Groups, Institutions—Writing and Reform

Throughout United States history, individuals have used writing as a way to focus attention on issues facing the American people. To resolve the issues raised in these writings, actions have been taken by the government, groups, or individuals.

Task: Select two pieces of writing that have focused attention on issues facing American society

and for each

• Describe the historical circumstances surrounding the issue addressed by the author

• Discuss an action taken by the government or a group or an individual in response to the issue raised by the author

You may use any piece of writing from your study of United States history that focuses attention on an issue facing American society. Some suggestions you might wish to consider include CommonSense by Thomas Paine (1776), Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe (1852), How the OtherHalf Lives by Jacob Riis (1890), The Jungle by Upton Sinclair (1906), “I, Too, Sing America” by Langston Hughes (1925), The Other America by Michael Harrington (1962), Silent Spring by Rachel Carson (1962), The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan (1963), and “Letter from Birmingham Jail” by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (1963).

You are not limited to these suggestions.

Guidelines: In your essay, be sure to

• Develop all aspects of the task

• Support the theme with relevant facts, examples, and details

• Use a logical and clear plan of organization, including an introduction and a conclusion that are beyond a restatement of the theme

In developing your answer, be sure to keep these general definitions in mind:

(a) describe means “to illustrate something in words or tell about it”

(b) discuss means “to make observations about something using facts, reasoning, and argument; to present in some detail”