Research Simulation Task (RST)
Question: You have analyzed four documents focused on domestic and foreign policy.
These are:
Letter from President Thomas Jefferson to William Dunbar
State of the Union Address to Congress, James Madison
James Monroe’s Missouri Compromise
President Monroe Enforces the Monroe Doctrine - 1823
Using the information from the documents and your knowledge of Social Studies, identify two actions
the Presidents took to build a strong nation through their leadership on foreign and domestic policy
(Claim Statement or purpose for writing).
You do not need to compare and contrast the documents. You may consider each one separately. Be
sure to include evidence from each document to support your analysis and understanding.
Introduction Paragraph
STEM: To introduce both texts start with this for an example – In the Letter from President
Thomas Jefferson to William Dunbar and the State of the Union Address by President James
Madison…
-­‐ Identify the topic being discussed (Foreign and Domestic Policy)
-­‐ Provide the background information needed (1 sentence describing the substance of each
policy).
-­‐ Claim Statement – Restate the question by writing a statement and identify the topic
being discussed. This is your purpose for writing!
Paragraph #2 (Document on Foreign Policy)
STEM: In the Letter from President Thomas Jefferson to William Dunbar…
-­‐ TAM – Text title, Author, Make your point in 2-3 sentences
-­‐ Evidence from the text that supports your point
-­‐ Explain how your evidence supports/relates to/backs up your point (This shows…,
This proves…, because…)
-­‐ Summary sentence to close your paragraph
Paragraph #3 (Document on Domestic Policy)
STEM: In State of the Union Address by President James Madison …
-­‐ TAM – Text title, Author, Make your point in 2-3 sentences
-­‐ Evidence from the text that supports your point
-­‐ Explain how your evidence supports/relates to/backs up your point (This shows…,
This proves…, because…)
-­‐ Summary sentence to close your paragraph
Conclusion Paragraph
STEM: In conclusion, both texts…
-­‐ Restate your CLAIM or purpose for writing (The last sentence in the 1st paragraph)
-­‐ Discuss what the documents overall message is and why it is important
-­‐ End with a strong statement that makes the reader THINK (Clincher)