Final Primary Source Comparison Rubric
For your final assignment, you will complete a 3-5 page comparison of the primary sources you have been reading over the course. You will address either nature or human nature as it appears in one primary sources from each unit. Then you will compare and contrast your theme in each of the 3 primary sources you have chosen.
Your grade will be out of 50 points and will be based on how well you use your primary sources to explore your theme. You can view the grading rubric I will use below. Your paper should be in 12 point, Times New Roman font and your name should be on the first page. Your header does not count towards the page count.
You may not use outside sources for this assignment and should use parenthetical citations for the primary sources, textbook or lecture material. You should identify your sources at the end of the paragraph. For example, a textbook citation for page 523 from the textbook would look like (Traditions & Encounters, 523)”, the Diego Rivera Mural would be “(Diego Rivera Mural)”, the lecture from June 3rd would be “(Lecture, June 3)”, the Nelson Mandela speech would be “(Nelson Mandela)” and so forth.
Please note: the standard “5 paragraph essay” thesis in which you simply state that you “will discuss” these primary sources will result in a poor score. Instead, you should make a statement about how different cultures (or different times) viewed or experienced your theme. Also, as this is the final assignment for a history class, you should focus on history and refrain from discussing current events.
If you are struggling to think about a theme or how your theme looks in different in the sources, start by considering the way the sources discuss your theme (are they excited about your theme? has something bad just happened in relation to your theme? Are these sources really reflecting an emotion like fear, excitement, sadness or joy? Do your sources discuss the theme in the same way or do they disagree with each other?). The second and final questions on the primary source worksheets that you have been completing for class should help you complete this assignment so returning to those assignments (and your feedback) would be a good place to start.
Please feel free to attend office hours (or make an appointment if you would like to talk outside of office hours) to discuss your paper if you are struggling or have questions on the assignment.
Final Primary Source Comparison Grading Rubric
Section
Points
Thesis Statement
/5
Introduction
/5
Primary Source 1
adequate background to the source
adequate analysis of theme in source
/5
/5
total: /10
Primary Source 2
adequate background to the source
adequate analysis of theme in source
/5
/5
total: /10
Primary Source 3
adequate background to the source
adequate analysis of theme in source
/5
/5
total: /10
Conclusion
/5
Basic Mechanics
(grammar, including an introduction and conclusion, name, page count, etc.)
/5
Total
/50
