Written Assessment Ideas
- PERSUASIVE ESSAY: Benjamin Rush, an 18th century American physician, and political and social reformist, wrote, "the form of government we have assumed, has created a new class of duties to every American." He identifies these duties as patriotism, virtue, humility, and self-denial. Write a persuasive essay in which you argue either for or against Rush's statement. (Students may also focus on one duty.)
- SPECULATIVE: James Madison, one of the founding fathers, wrote: "A people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives. A popular government without popular information or the means of acquiring it, is but a prologue to a farce or a tragedy, or perhaps both." Write a speculative piece that deals with the results of an uninformed populace. What kinds of problems would develop if citizens made uninformed choices in their representatives, or approved laws they didn't understand? Your piece may be either a farce or a tragedy.
- NARRATION: Write a first person account of a poor person in Venice in 1497.
- DEFINITION: Write a piece in which you define and provide specific examples of a good citizen.
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