Social Studies 11

Essay Assignment #1: Assessing Contemporary Responses to

Historical Injustices

This assignment is intended to help prepare you for the provincial exam as
well as to provide you with practice defending an argument when dealing
with controversial topics. You have already had the chance to form an
opinion about the federal and provincial responses to calls for redress for the
damaging immigration policies in the early twentieth century.
This will be a formal essay that involves independent research and requires
you to address the question: What would be an acceptable response to
calls for redress of past wrongs that occurred in Canada during the
early twentieth century?
Minimum Requirements
Essays will be a minimum of 500 words in standard essay format.
Essays will be typed and double spaced using a reasonable font.

Essays will include a minimum of three sources to support your position.

The essay must include a properly formatted separate works cited page
see the handout.
This essay meets the minimum criteria and uses the standard
introduction three body paragraphs conclusion essay model.
This essay begins to go beyond the minimum criteria and as it
expands the standard introduction three body paragraphs conclusion
essay model. This essay is 500-750 words long, includes multiple body
paragraphs and incorporates material from than three sources.
This essay seeks to investigate the topic at considerable depth.
It is 500-1000 words, incorporates a counter-argument, incorporates material
from than three sources and uses at least two primary sources as evidence.
The initial draft was shared with at least one other student for peer editing.
Editing
Sharing your initial draft with a peer is highly encouraged but not necessary
for one or two star essays. Ask one of your colleagues to be a second set of
eyes for your grammar and content.
Sources
Online sources are permitted but they must be valid and reliable sources. If
you choose to use digital sources, consider using unless you use one of the
databases provided through the Gleneagle Library website, the CBC archives
website, or an online periodical (newspaper or magazine).
Dont forget that books are good!
Plagiarism
Plagiarism will NOT be tolerated and you must use in text citations to
indicate where you have used words, phrases or ideas that are not your own.
This includes quoting and paraphrasing another persons words or ideas.
If you plagiarize the work of others you will NOT receive credit for this
assignment.
Grading
Your mark for the essay is based on the quality of your argument, the clarity
with which you present it and your depth of analysis. A solid essay that
presents a clear and well supported position is your goal.
Essay drafts
Essay skeleton

/20
/5

Social Studies 11
Essay Assignment #1: Assessing Contemporary Responses to
Historical Injustices
Paragraph
/5
You will need to submit your initial paragraph, your essay skeleton, an initial
draft and a final draft. Be sure to leave 24 hours between your initial draft
and when you begin to edit.