GRADE 10 DEFINING MOMENT ESSAY - DOC

							                 GRADE 10 DEFINING MOMENT ESSAY


Rationale
The purpose of the essay is to write a five section analytical and argumentative essay
based on your thesis. It is important that you demonstrate your understanding of a
defining moment in Canadian history.

Notes on the Format of the Essay – MLA Format
Your research paper is to be written in a formal, academic style. The third person
narrative is the only acceptable style. Of course, your essay must be written in proper
English (spelling, grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, language and paragraphing
errors).

Your essay must be written in your own words. Information must not be simply 'lifted' or
copied from your sources. Summarize and paraphrase the ideas and identify the
sources even if you have modified the wording. Give the sources of quotations. ( MLA
format)

PLEASE BE FOREWARNED THAT PLAGIARISM (COPYING DIRECTLY FROM A
SOURCE) WILL RESULT IN A MARK OF ZERO

Your research essay:

    will be 1000-1500 words in length and submitted on Turnitin.com

    must use MLA format – works cited/consulted (no cover page, no images or
     pictures!!!)

    must have a minimum of ONE(1) embedded citation per argument

    must be typewritten, using standard-sized paper, 12 point font, Times New
     Roman, double-spaced, with 2.5 cm border top, bottom and sides, with
     numbered pages.
           DEFINING MOMENT ESSAY: TOPIC LIST

  20th Century Canadian History- Grade 10 Argumentative Essay

MILITARY                   POLITICAL                     SOCIAL/ECONOMIC

Avro Arrow                 Choice of the Canadian PM-    National Energy Policy
NATO                       (From Macdonald to            Auto Pact
NORAD                      Trudeau)                      Women's Movement
Bomarc Missiles            Quebec Referendum – 1980      1972 Summit Series
Women in War               and 1995                      Free Trade Agreement
D-Day (Juno Beach)         Parti Quebecois               NAFTA
Conscription               October Crisis                Branch Plants
Battle of Britain: RCAF    Bill 101
                                                         Immigration since 1945
Battle of Hong Kong        Suez Crisis
                                                         Medicare
Camp X                      Meech Lake Accord
                                                         Baby Boom
War Measures Act            Charlottetown Agreement
                                                         Canadian Inventions
Internment                  Oka Crisis
Effects of War on Canada                                 Group of Seven
                            Constitution Act 1982
Halifax Explosion           Person’s Case                Bootlegging & Prohibition
Merchant Marine             Winnipeg General Strike      Canadian Broadcasting Corp.
Canada and peacekeeping     Relief in Great Depression   Canada Council
                                                         St. Lawrence Seaway
Gulf War                   League of Indians
                                                         Social Support (welfare)
Korean War                 Indian Act                    Residential Schools
                           St. Louis                     Canada and Space
                           Gouzenko Affair               Peacekeeping Missions
                           Canada and United Nations
                           Official Languages Act
                           James Bay Agreement
STEP 1: TOPIC PROPOSAL
Name:__________________

Students are to select three (3) topics that they are interested in further researching. It is
appropriate at this time to also include a topic not on the suggested topic list.

The teacher must receive a proposal to ensure that all students are assigned a topic that
they are genuinely interested in.

Failure to submit your topic proposal will result in the teacher assigning the topic.

Students are to submit their topics by ________________________________.



Suggested Topics

1. _________________________________

2. _________________________________

3. _________________________________

Teacher Comments:




Date: _____________

Teacher Approved Topic: ____________________________________________
STEP 2: INITIAL TOPIC RESEARCH (75 MARKS)

Part A: Research Notes (25 marks)
Instructions: Please make research notes for at least five (5) sources (including the
textbook) you have consulted using the following format. All notes are to be typed.

Note Taking Format

Source #1: MLA format – cite source (to be used for embedded citations and
Works Cited)

Notes
Page # (in bold)
You are expected to type your notes and include summarizing, paraphrasing, and direct
citations for each source:
        summarize a concept that is not common knowledge
        paraphrase or reword a passage
        direct citation of ideas/thesis of historical experts

Tips:
    use point form for summarizing and paraphrasing
    when paraphrasing an argument be aware that this is someone else’s intellectual
      property
    ensure that you only access internet sites that are reliable (government,
      periodicals, journals, etc.)


For Internet Sites Only

You must carefully assess what internet site you will use. To avoid any questions of
academic integrity you are expected to discuss the sites you will be using at the
Student/Teacher conference.

Part B: Topic Overview (10 marks)
Instructions: Complete the following questions using information from your textbook,
two (2) internet and two (2) secondary text sources. MLA format must be followed.

1. Give a brief overview or summary of the topic. (5 marks)
   What is the topic? Who is involved? Answer the 5W-H questions.
Part C: Works Consulted (10 marks)

Instructions: In proper MLA format, list your textbook, your two (2) internet sources
and your two (2) secondary text sources.

Please use the Gordon Graydon Website, Library Section, as a Guide.


Part D: Identifying Themes (25 marks)

1. Organize your research notes into a set of themes, using the following headings:
Political, socio-cultural, economic, technological or military. Place the appropriate
evidence in each section. (20 marks)

2. Based on your initial survey of reference material, what are three (3) important
themes or issues pertinent to this topic as a defining Canadian moment? (5 marks)
STEP 3: THESIS FORMATION (21 marks)
Formulating a Thesis
A thesis is a statement of intent that clearly defines the central argument you will present
in your research paper. A good thesis does not merely identify the central topic but rather
sets out the position taken by the writer with respect to that topic, usually in one or two
sentences.

To be effective, a thesis must be stated clearly in the introduction and all the information
and analysis in the essay must clearly connect to it. The sole purpose of any information
and analysis a writer resents in the research paper is to support the thesis.

How do I formulate a thesis?
Research is the foundation of historical studies. Gathering research material is one of the
most important steps in preparing an effective research paper. Insufficient evidence can
lead to erroneous assumptions or faulty conclusions. Once you have researched your
topic you can then begin to look over the information you have gathered and decide on
the purpose of your essay. The purpose of your essay is your thesis statement.


Part A: Formulate a Thesis (6 marks)

Formulate a thesis statement. A good thesis shows the relationship between two or
more relevant concepts. This means that a good thesis clearly states a
position/argument on a topic and this position can be supported.

Due Date:_____________

Part B: Provide Evidence (15 marks)

Clearly identify how you will support your thesis position by providing the three (3)
pieces of historical evidence that supports/proves your thesis position/argument. The
same source cannot be used to provide all your pieces of evidence.

Using the following format record the relevant pieces of historical evidence which
support your thesis position/argument.

Evidence #1 -5 marks each
Identify from which source using MLA embedded citations.(1 mark)
Clearly explain how the evidence supports the thesis position/argument. (4 marks)
STEP 4: PLANNING THE FIVE (5) SECTION ESSAY
Instructions: Please use this as a template for your outline.

Paragraph 1 (Introductory Paragraph - 11 marks)
Background Information- Historical Context (5 marks):


Thesis Statement (3marks):


Sub-Topics (3 marks):
               1.
               2.
               3.

Paragraph 2 (Sub Topic 1- 10 marks)
Topic Sentence and point #1
(2 marks): _____________________________________________________________

 Three points with the supporting evidence- MLA Format (you must present historical
evidence using embedded citations)
(3x2=6 marks): 1.
                 2.
                 3.

Concluding Sentence (2 marks):


Paragraph 3 (Sub-Topic 2-10 marks)
Topic Sentence (2 marks):_________________________________________________
 Three points with the supporting evidence- MLA Format (you must present historical
evidence using embedded citations)
(3x2=6 marks):
                  1.
                 2.
                 3.

Concluding Sentence (2 marks):
Paragraph 4 (Sub-Topic 3- 10 marks)

Topic Sentence: (2 marks)_________________________________________________

Three points with the supporting evidence- MLA Format (you must present historical
evidence using embedded citations) (3x2=6 marks):
                  1.
                 2.
                 3.

Concluding Sentence (2 marks):


Paragraph 5 (Conclusion-5 marks)
Summary of Sub-Topics (1 mark):


Restate the Thesis (1 mark):


Positive, moral, relevance , lesson learned sentence (3 marks):




                 GRADE 10 DEFINING MOMENT ESSAY
                               PROCESS STEPS/ MARKING

1. STEP 1: Topic Proposal

Due Date: ____________________

2. STEP 2: Initial Topic Research

Due Date: ____________________                                    _____/70

3. STEP 3: Thesis Formation

Due Date: ____________________                                    _____/21

4. STEP 4: Planning the Five (5) Section Essay                    _______/46 marks

Due Date: ____________________

5. STEP 5: Final essay (Essay,                                    _____/100