Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

Final Persuasive Essay

Frederick Douglass once said, “If there is no struggle, there is no progress.” Respond to this quote. Take a
position (either agreeing or disagreeing) with the idea expressed in the quote. Provide specific examples from
both Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass and other evidence (history, current events, other literature)
that illustrate your viewpoint of the quote.

Outline of essay:

Introduction

1st body paragraph: 1 struggle faced by Frederick that led to progress

2nd body paragraph: 1 struggle faced by Frederick that led to progress

3rd body paragraph: Connection to other historical figures/situations that involve struggle to achieve

Conclusion

Rubric
Outstanding Satisfactory Needs Improvement Missing

Content - Explains (in detail) 2 - Explains 2 specific - Identifies 2 struggles -Identifies 0-1
- FD examples specific struggles struggles faced by FD faced by FD struggles faced
(12,11,8,6) faced by FD - Connects to topic of - Attempts to connect by FD
- Adequately connects essay to topic of essay -No connection to
to topic topic of essay

Content - At least two - Two examples of - One example of No textual

- Textual examples of textual textual evidence in textual evidence in evidence is
evidence evidence in both 1st both 1 and 2 body both 1st and 2nd body
st nd utilized
(6,5,3,1) and 2nd body paragraphs (attempt paragraphs (no
paragraphs at explanation and explanation or
(explained and relating to topic) relating to topic)
related to topic)

Content - Gives strong, well- -Makes a valid -Mentions outside -Does not make a
- Connections: developed argument argument as to why examples to support valid
3rd body as to why outside outside examples the point of view, but argument/does
paragraph examples support support the point of does not adequately not include an
(10,9,7,5) the point of view view explain why it is argument with
relevant outside evidence
Content - Student utilized 2 -Student utilized 1 -Student utilized 1-2 -No outside
- Evidence of outside resources to outside resource to outside resources to resources were
Research enhance their support their support their utilized
(5,4,2,1) argument argument argument
- Works Cited Page -Works Cited Page -No Works Cited Page

Organization -Sophisticated , -Introduction and -Attempt at -No introduction

- Structure effective introduction conclusion are introduction and or conclusion
- Intro/Conc. and conclusion effective conclusion -No topic
(4,3,2,0) - Effective topic -Topic sentences are -No topic sentences sentences
sentences adequate

Voice/Fluency -Writing is advanced -Writing is organized -Writing is n/a

- Variety/Flow and flows together and flows together disorganized and has
(4,3,2) smoothly -An attempt at several fragments or
-A side of the choosing a side of the run-ons
argument is clearly argument -Unclear as to which
taken side is being taken

Word Choice Word choice is Word choice is Word choice is basic n/a
- Effective sophisticated, varied, appropriate and and not age-
- Appropriate and age-appropriate sufficient appropriate
(4,3,2)

Conventions Very few errors Several Errors Excessive amount of n/a

- Grammar errors
(5,4,2)

Formatting Formatting is in Formatting is Formatting is Formatting is

- MLA completely in proper generally in proper generally in proper improper and
- Works Cited MLA formatting, MLA formatting, MLA formatting, but there is no Works
(5,4,2,1) including the Works including the Works there is no Works Cited Page
Cited Page Cited Page Cited Page

TOTAL POINTS: ______/55

DUE DATE: ___________________
 INTRODUCTION
Attention-Getter (1-2 sentences)
- Thought-provoking
question, surprising
statistic, quote, etc.

Reference Information (3-5

sentences)
- Provide background
information on Narrative
of the Life of Frederick
Douglass and Douglass’s
life experiences

Thesis Statement
 BODY PARAGRAPH 1: EVIDENCE FROM DOUGLASS’S LIFE
Main Idea

Struggle faced by
Douglass

Details that describe the

struggle

How the struggle led

to/did not lead to
progress

Textual evidence (w/page

number)

Textual evidence (w/page

number)
 BODY PARAGRAPH 2: EVIDENCE FROM DOUGLASS’S LIFE
Main Idea

Struggle faced by
Douglass

Details that describe the

struggle

How the struggle led

to/did not lead to
progress

Textual evidence (w/page

number)

Textual evidence (w/page

number)
 BODY PARAGRAPH 3: OUTSIDE EVIDENCE
Main Idea

Evidence/Example
(struggle someone faced)

Link (how this supports

the main idea)

Evidence/Example

Link

Evidence/Example

Link
 CONCLUSION
Restate your thesis
- Use different wording than you
used in the thesis statement
from your introduction

List your main points

- Recap the main point of each
body paragraph using complete
sentences

Leave a lasting impression

- Leave your reader with
something to think about