Overview: Now that you have criticized your figure, I want you to come to their defense. Just as everyone makes mistakes, everyone also desires to do good (as they understand it). Using Franklin D. Roosevelt, tell me what was good about them and three ways they left a positive impact on history. Note: your defense should be genuine, but it does not mean that you agree with Franklin D. Roosevelt completely. I would also like you to use two secondary sources (lectures, readings, or the book you chose) but also one primary source to make your Defense. I recommend primary sources created by your figure or by their supporters but it is up to you.
Structure: Your paper should be between 2-3 pages double-spaced and should follow a five-paragraph essay format. You should come up with a central argument about why Franklin D. Roosevelt did good. Thinking about the two categories mentioned before: societal values (like hospitality, charity, things that a society focuses on) and personal strengths (unique experiences or skills). Once you have selected a virtue, choose three examples of when they used that virtue and how it had a positive effect. In your last paragraph you should summarize the examples you just gave and end with a thought of how history might be different if Franklin D. Roosevelt had acted differently, in this case how might something have been worse than it was.
Citations: You should use two secondary sources and one primary sources for this essay and you are welcome to use the same ones you did for the previous essay. Whenever you use one of your sources, you should cite it in footnote format. You can find information on when to cite your source here (Links to an external site.) or click here (Links to an external site.) for more information on how to use footnotes. Make sure to use the correct format for your footnotes as well as your bibliography as they are part of your grade.
Tips for Success: A good place to start would be to determine what your historic figure wanted to accomplish. Your goal is to sympathize with your figure even if you do not agree with them and establishing their motivation is a good way to make them sympathetic. Another way to think about it is, how would your figure defend themselves, or how would they want to be portrayed?
An “A” paper will have a strong thesis statement and three good examples that support that thesis statement. Each body paragraph will tie back to the thesis in a way that makes sense with the overall argument. The conclusion will summarize the major points of the essay and offer a vision of how history might have changed if the figure acted differently.
