Guidelines for Interpretive Paper #1
History 170, Spring 2012
Note that the requirements are also posted on the course website.
Format and Due Date
2 pages, Times 12, one-inch margins on all sides, single-sided, double-spaced.
Make sure you specify a title for the paper.
Due Monday, 3/19/2012.
Submit the paper in turnitin.com before our class meets on 3/19.
You must also bring a hardcopy to class on 3/19.
Description
How does Karen Kupperman explain the reasons for Indian-settler violence in the first English
settlement at Roanoke? If Roanoke was a “prototype” as Kupperman argues, what kinds of
conflicts does Roanoke foreshadow? Consider the place of imperial priorities, the Irish
experience of English colonists, local contingencies like storms, leadership conflicts, the
colonists’ expectations in Roanoke, and the range of Native responses to English arrival.
Be as specific as possible. Consider the factors that mattered most and give examples that
develop your argument. Avoid generic and generalized statements. For example, avoid “People
feel insecure in a new environment,” in favor of “Ralph Lane’s Irish experience predisposed him
to worry about Indian treachery.” Anchor your paper around the characters (Native and
English) and the shifting contexts of Roanoke as much as possible.
This is a very short paper so every sentence counts. Edit thoroughly. You will be marked down
for grammatical and spelling errors, and for sentences which carry no weight in your paper.
Think carefully about the introduction and the conclusion.
Citation requirements and format
Cite only twice from Karen Kupperman’s Roanoke. The quotations should just be portions of
sentences or one full sentence at the most. Do not cite full paragraphs. Use your own words to
frame the quote. After the sentence that incorporates the quote, note the page number in
parentheses. Since the paper is based only on one text, you do not have to include footnotes or
endnotes.
Example of citing a source
In 1590, following the failure of Roanoke, Thomas Harriot continued to promote English
colonization in his “True Report.” Harriot was an early explorer who used his experiences in
Roanoke to inform the English about the culture of the natives and the benefits of settlement.
Harriot was very optimistic about English settlement in America and reassured the English that
as long as proper government was established, the natives “may in short time bee brought to
civilitie, and the imbracing of true Religion” (51). He said the natives “embraced” and “kissed”
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the Bible when he had introduced it to them (52). Harriot believed that the natives would be
very easily converted because of their desire to learn about Christianity.
Rough Drafts
There is every reason for you to do well on this interpretive paper. I am happy to read multiple
rough drafts. You must submit them to me in hardcopy by Monday, 3/12. I can email you
comments or meet you in person to discuss changes.
Late Paper Policy
There is a “flat” 10% penalty for late paper submissions. All papers must be submitted by the
last day of class.
Final Grade
I expect the paper to have no typos or grammatical errors. In addition, the sequence of
paragraphs should be logical, coherent, and persuasive. Each paragraph should have a topic
sentence which prepares the reader for the argument to follow. Your introduction should set
up your argument and your conclusion should clinch it. The conclusion should not repeat the
points made in the introduction but provide the reader with new insights.
You will be graded on the clarity and specificity of your argument.
Detailed Grading Criteria
Qualities of an “A” Assignment
Content and Organization (Argument)
-fulfills all the requirements of the assignment
- presents a recognizable, strong thesis or argument
-contains unified paragraphs that support recognizable topic sentences
- makes sure that the topic sentence of each paragraph relates to the thesis or argument in
some way
- presents accurate information, with generalizations supported by facts, examples, or
analysis
-displays original thought
-defines terms if necessary
-is clearly organized with an appropriate essay structure
-has an effective introduction and conclusion
-contains effective transitions between sentences and between paragraphs
Clarity and Correctness (Logistics)
-uses sentences that are easy to understand on a first reading
-includes a variety of sentence constructions
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-uses document design to enhance readability
-has no serious errors of diction, syntax, grammar, punctuation, or spelling
-shows evidence of careful editing
Qualities of a “B” Assignment
Content and Organization (Argument)
-fulfills most of the requirements of assignment
-presents accurate information, with generalizations supported by facts, examples, or
analysis
-argues logically
-defines terms if necessary
-has a recognizable thesis or subject line
-has appropriate organization
-contains unified paragraphs that support recognizable topic sentences
-has appropriate introduction and conclusion
-contains transitions
Clarity and Organization (Logistics)
-uses sentences that are easy to understand on a first reading
-includes a variety of sentence constructions
-uses some document design elements
-has very few errors of diction, syntax, grammar, punctuation, or spelling. The
errors do not prevent comprehension.
-shows evidence of editing.
Qualities of a “C” Assignment
Content and Organization (Argument)
-fulfills the main parts of the assignment
-supports generalizations with some detail
-defines terms if necessary
-has a recognizable thesis or subject line
-uses appropriate organization
-contains unified paragraphs with topic sentences
-has an introduction and conclusion
Clarity and Correctness (Logistics)
-uses understandable sentences
-shows some variety in sentence construction
-has some elements of document design
-has a few errors of diction, syntax, grammar, punctuation, or spelling. Errors
occasionally prevent comprehension
-shows an understanding of the conventions of written English
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Qualities of a “D” or “F” Assignment
Content and Organization (Argument)
-fails to fulfill main parts of the assignment
-provides scant information and little support
-has a barely recognizable thesis or subject line
-has poor organization
-contains some paragraphs with topic sentences
Clarity and Correctness (Logistics)
-many sentences are not understandable upon first reading
-shows little variety in sentence construction
-has many errors of diction, syntax, grammar, punctuation, or spelling. The errors often
prevent comprehension
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