"Big" Blog 03

Guidelines

• Word Count: 1400-1600 words (can include inline references but not the bibliography)
• References: Use inline references (Author date, page number) (e.g. Johnson 2000, 208). Include a bibliography at the end with Chicago Manual of Style.
• Topics: The Early Development of San Francisco and Spatial History/Maps

• Primary Source Requirements Include at least FIVE primary sources at least one of which must be a map in your discussion and analysis. Be sure to cite these sources and link to them in the post.Use your primary source analysis checklist as a guide.
• Style and structure:Even more so than your weekly blog posts, these big posts offer you the opportunity to be INNOVATIVE. Try to combine ideas/sources/topics in a new and exciting way (think about the Minute Thesis Activity we do in class - this is an opportunity to make a "mash up" to help you craft an innovative argument). These "big" blog posts should have an ARGUMENT and STRUCTURE. Use your sources as examples to back up your argument.

Due by 11:59PM on Sunday 9/18.

Audience

Write for a public audience that includes your peers

Goals

To increase your proficiency and comfort at analyzing primary sources and practicing using the digital tools we learn about in class

To engage with the public, including your peers, in offering thoughtful responses to historical materials

To gain experience and comfort in blogging and digital communication

To provide regular opportunities for synthesis, writing, and historical analysis in the classroom.

Grading

Blog posts will be graded on a thirty-point scale.

	Exceeds Expectations	Meets Expectations	Needs improvement
Thesis (6 pts)	Your post includes a concise argument that is within the topics assigned. It is thoughtful, specific, and provable. You state your thesis in or near the introduction of your post and reference it, directly or indirectly, throughout the post.	Includes a thesis statement that addresses the topics posed by the assignment, and it is in or near the introduction of your post, but your thesis is wordy, lacks clarity, and/or lacks specificity was not referenced sufficiently throughout the paper.	Your thesis… is overly vague does not address the question posed by the assignment cannot be located is not relevant to the content or argument of the paper
Content, support and organization (6 pts)	You support your argument with specific and relevant examples and excellent analysis. Your paper has a logical organization, transitions between paragraphs, and a thoughtful introduction & conclusion.	You support your argument with specific examples and adequate analysis, but your paper… could use more or fewer examples could improve from analysis that is more thorough & insightful could use improvement in your organization, transitions, and/or introduction & conclusion	Your paper… is lacking adequate examples that support your argument does not adequately analyze your sources lacks organization and/or transitions between paragraphs needs stronger introduction & conclusion.
Critical Edge / Innovation (6 pts)	Your paper has a “critical edge,” meaning that you pay attention to complexity, contradictions, and nuance. You challenge taken-for-granted assumptions, shed new light on old topics, and/or explore alternative viewpoints.	Your paper notes some complexity, contradictions, and nuance, but could move to the next level by challenging taken-for-granted assumptions, shedding new light on old topics, or exploring alternative viewpoints.	Your paper lacks attention to complexity, contradictions, and nuance, and instead focuses on a single perspective and/or generalizations.
Use of sources (6 pts)	Your paper provides appropriate and thorough citations for all your sources. Your paper includes at least (if not more than) the required quantity of sources and makes excellent use of these sources in the paper.	Your paper uses the appropriate number of sources and generally cites them accurately, but your paper… could benefit from greater attention to detail in citations could reference more of these sources in your paper could make better or stronger use of these sources	Your paper… does not include the proper number of sources does not include proper citations or citations are sloppy does not reference a sufficient number of these sources in the paper does not use sources appropriately
Professionalism and Style(6 points)	Your post follows the basic rules for clear writing. Your paper is thoroughly proofread, and is well-written in an appropriately professional tone using crisp language, vivid descriptions, active verbs, and unique phrases. Your personality is apparent in your writing. Your post meets all requirements (length, etc.).	Your post generally follows the basic rules for clear writing and is generally well-written, but it has a few proofreading errors . The tone is appropriately professional. Your post meets all or most requirements (length, etc.). Please pay attention to your use of A) unnecessary words / B) passive voice and/or C) unclear language. Don’t be afraid to show your personality in your writing.	Your post would be stronger if you invested more time in proofreading and revisions. You may be writing in too informal of a tone. Your post may not have met all of the requirements (length, etc.). Please pay attention to your use of A) unnecessary words / B) passive voice and/or C) unclear language.