Download Thematic Essay portfolio - Essays

ESSAY # 1 Name:_______________________________________________________ Per.____
In developing your answer, be sure to keep these general definitions in mind:
discuss means “to make observations about something using facts, reasoning, and argument;
to present in some detail”
explain means “to make plain or understandable; to give reasons for or causes of; to show
the logical development or relationships of”
THEMATIC ESSAY QUESTION
Directions: Write a well-organized essay that includes an introduction, several paragraphs
addressing the task below, and a conclusion.
Theme: Constitutional Principles
United States Supreme Court cases have dealt with a variety of important issues that
have affected American society.
Task:
Select two Supreme Court cases that have affected American society. For each case
selected:
 Discuss the historical circumstances of the case
 Explain the Court’s decision
 Discuss the impact of the decision on American society in the case
You may use any example from your study of United States history. Some suggestions you might
wish to consider include:
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) — federal supremacy Schenck v. United States (1919) — freedom of
speech Korematsu v. United States (1944) — equal protection under the law Brown v. Board of
Education of Topeka (1954) — equal protection under the law Engel v. Vitale (1962) — separation
of church and state Miranda v. Arizona (1966) — rights of the accused Roe v. Wade (1973) —
right to privacy Vernonia School District v. Acton (1995) — search and seizure
You are not limited to these suggestions.
ESSAY #2 Name:_________________________________________
Per.__________
In developing your answer, be sure to keep these general definitions in mind:
discuss means “to make observations about something using facts, reasoning, and argument;
to present in some detail”
evaluate means “to examine and judge the significance, worth, or condition of; to determine
the value of”
THEMATIC ESSAY QUESTION
Directions: Write a well-organized essay that includes an introduction, several paragraphs
addressing the task below, and a conclusion.
Theme: Territorial Expansion (1800–1900)
Various events or developments have influenced the territorial expansion of the United
States. In 1800, the United States was a new nation of approximately 895,000 square miles
of territory. By 1900, the nation had grown to about 3,000,000 square miles of territory.
Task:
Identify two events or developments that had a significant impact on United States
territorial expansion between 1800 and 1900 and for each event or development
identified:
 Discuss the historical circumstances surrounding the event or development
 Evaluate the importance of the event or development on the growth of the United
States
You may use any example from your study of United States history. Some suggestions you might
wish to consider include Louisiana Purchase (1803), completion of the Erie Canal (1825), War with
Mexico (1846–1848), Homestead Act (1862), completion of the first transcontinental railroad
(1869), and Native American Indian policies (1800–1900).
You are not limited to these suggestions.
Essay #3 Name:___________________________________________________ Per.___
In developing your answer, be sure to keep this general definition in mind:
discuss means “to make observations about something using facts, reasoning, and argument;
to present in some detail”
THEMATIC ESSAY QUESTION
Directions: Write a well-organized essay that includes an introduction, several paragraphs
addressing the task below, and a conclusion.
Theme: Constitutional Change
Amendments to the United States Constitution have changed our government and our
society.
Task:
Identify two amendments to the United States Constitution and for each:
·
·
Discuss the historical circumstances that led to the adoption of the amendment
Discuss how the amendment changed the United States government and/or
American society
You may use any constitutional amendment from your study of United States history.
Some suggestions you might wish to consider include the 1st Amendment — personal freedoms
(1791), 15th amendment — right to vote (1870), 16th amendment — income tax (1913), 17th
Amendment — election of senators (1913), 18th Amendment — Prohibition (1919), 19th
Amendment — suffrage (1920), or 22nd Amendment — term limits (1951).
You are not limited to these suggestions.
Essay # 4 Name:___________________________________________________________ Per.___
In developing your answer, be sure to keep these general definitions in mind:
describe means “to illustrate something in words or tell about it”
discuss means “to make observations about something using facts, reasoning, and argument;
to present in some detail”
THEMATIC ESSAY QUESTION
Directions: Write a well-organized essay that includes an introduction, several paragraphs
addressing the task below, and a conclusion.
Theme: Influence of Geographic Factors on Governmental Actions
Actions taken by the United States government have often been influenced by
geographic factors. Some of these factors include location, climate, natural resources,
and physical features.
Task:
Identify two actions taken by the United States government that have been
influenced by geographic factors and for each
 State one reason the United States took the action
 Describe how a geographic factor influenced the action
 Discuss the impact of the action on the United States
You may use any action taken by the United States government that was influenced by a geographic
factor. Some suggestions you might wish to consider include the Lewis and Clark expedition (1804–
1806), issuance of the Monroe Doctrine (1823), Mexican War (1846–1848), Commodore Perry’s
opening of Japan (1853), passage of the Homestead Act (1862), purchase of Alaska (1867),
construction of the Panama Canal (1904–1914), entry into World War II (1941), passage of the
Interstate Highway Act (1956), and involvement in the Persian Gulf War (1991).
You are not limited to these suggestions.
Essay # 5 Name:_________________________________________________ Per.___
In developing your answer, be sure to keep these general definitions in mind:
explain means “to make plain or understandable; to give reasons for or causes of; to show
the logical development or relationships of ”
discuss means “to make observations about something using fact, reasoning, and argument;
to present in some detail”
THEMATIC ESSAY QUESTION
Directions: Write a well-organized essay that includes an introduction, several paragraphs
addressing the task below, and a conclusion.
Theme: Change — Industrialization
During the 19th century, the United States experienced tremendous industrial
growth. This industrial growth resulted in many changes in American life.
Task:
Identify two changes in American life that resulted from industrial growth in the
United States and for each change:
 Explain how industrialization contributed to this change

iscuss one positive or one negative effect of this change on American life
D
You may use any appropriate change in American life that resulted from industrial growth. Some
suggestions you might wish to consider include increased immigration, new inventions or
technologies, growth of labor unions, growth of monopolies, growth of reform movements, and
increased urbanization.
You are not limited to these suggestions.
Essay #6 Name:________________________________________________
Per.___
In developing your answer, be sure to keep these general definitions in mind:
discuss means “to make observations about something using facts, reasoning, and argument;
to present in some detail”
describe means “to illustrate something in words or tell about it”
evaluate means to “examine and judge the significance, worth, or condition of; to determine
the value of”
THEMATIC ESSAY QUESTION
Directions: Write a well-organized essay that includes an introduction, several paragraphs
addressing the task below, and a conclusion.
Theme: Reform Movements in the United States
Reform movements are intended to improve different aspects of American life.
Through the actions of individuals, organizations, or the government, the goals of
these reform movements have been achieved, but with varying degrees of success.
Task:
Identify two reform movements that have had an impact on American life and for
each
 Discuss one major goal of the movement
 Describe one action taken by an individual, an organization, or the government in
an attempt to achieve this goal
 Evaluate the extent to which this goal was achieved
You may use any reform movement from your study of United States history. Some
suggestions you might wish to consider include the abolitionist movement, woman’s suffrage
movement, temperance movement, Progressive movement, civil rights movement, women’s rights
movement, and environmental movement.
You are not limited to these suggestions.
Essay # 7 Name:________________________________________________
Per.____
In developing your answer, be sure to keep these general definitions in mind:
discuss means “to make observations about something using facts, reasoning, and argument;
to present in some detail”
evaluate means “examine and judge the significance, worth, or condition of; to determine the
value of”
THEMATIC ESSAY QUESTION
Directions: Write a well-organized essay that includes an introduction, several paragraphs
addressing the task below, and a conclusion.
Theme: Foreign Policy
Since 1900, United States foreign policy actions have often been based on national
self-interest. These actions have had immediate and long-term results.
Task:
Identify two important United States foreign policy actions since 1900 and for each:
·
Discuss the historical circumstances surrounding the action
·
Discuss one immediate or one long-term result of the action
·
Evaluate the extent to which the action promoted the nation’s self-interest
You may use any important foreign policy action since 1900 from your study of United States
history. Some suggestions you might wish to consider include Theodore Roosevelt’s Corollary to the
Monroe Doctrine (1904), Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen Points (1918), the Lend-Lease Act (1941),
the Marshall Plan (1947), the blockade of Cuba (1962), the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT)
agreements (1972), and the Persian Gulf War (1991).
You are not limited to these suggestions.
Essay #8 Name:__________________________________________________
per._____
Thematic Essay Question
Theme: Movements of People—Migration
The movement of people into and within the United States has had a significant impact on the
nation. These movements have been both voluntary and involuntary.
Task:
Select two periods of migration that had an impact on the United States and for each
• Describe the historical circumstances that led to the migration
• Discuss the impact of the migration on the United States
You may use any period of migration from your study of United States history. Some suggestions
you might wish to consider include colonial settlement (1600s–1700s), westward expansion
(1800s), rural to urban migration (1870s–1920s), European immigration (1880–1910), the Dust
Bowl (1930s), suburbanization (1950s–1960s), and illegal immigration (1990 to the present).
You are not limited to these suggestions.
Essay #9 Name:_____________________________________
Per.:_____
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, and Institutions — Controversial Issues
Many controversial domestic issues have divided the American people. The United States
government has taken actions to address these issues.
Task:
Identify one controversial domestic issue that has divided the American people and
• Discuss the historical background of the controversy
• Explain the point of view of those who supported this issue
• Explain the point of view of those who opposed this issue
• Discuss one United States government action that was taken to address this issue
You may use any controversial domestic issue that has divided the American people.
Some suggestions you might wish to consider include placing Native American Indians on
reservations, slavery, women’s suffrage, Prohibition, the use of child labor, and the policy of
unlimited immigration.
You are not limited to these suggestions.
Essay #10 Name:___________________________________________
Per.____
THEMATIC ESSAY QUESTION
Directions: Write a well-organized essay that includes an introduction, several paragraphs
addressing the task below, and a conclusion.
Theme: Contributions of Individuals to American Life
Throughout the 20th century, individuals attempted to address problems within American society.
Their efforts have had a significant impact on American life.
Task:
Identify two individuals who have had a significant impact on American life during the 20th century
and for each
• Describe a problem in American society that the individual tried to change
• Discuss an important contribution made by the individual to address this problem
• Evaluate the impact of the contribution on American life
You may use any historically significant individual from your study of 20th-century United States
history. Some suggestions you might wish to consider include Upton Sinclair, Henry Ford, Langston
Hughes, Eleanor Roosevelt, Jackie Robinson, Martin Luther King, Jr., Betty Friedan, Rachel Carson,
Cesar Chavez, and Bill Gates.
You are not limited to these suggestions.