HIS 240 Analysis Paper Guidelines and Rubric
Please write Analysis Paper #2
Overview
Throughout this course you will critically examine primary sources. Be sure to read each source you choose to use fully, reading it a first time, then a second, even a third if necessary. As you review each source, ask yourself questions about the source:
• Who is the author and what is his or her place in society?
• What is the purpose of the piece? Why was it written?
• What values or ideas are behind the content in the source? How are they different from my own?
• Is the piece credible? Why or why not?
• Can the piece be used to support a historical debate? Why or why not?

Your analysis will not directly answer all these questions. However, the picture that is painted by YOUR response to these questions is essential in constructing your analysis of the source. You will apply these skills in developing two analysis papers in this course. Post any questions you have on the analysis papers to the General Questions discussion forum. Note that you may use any of the sources you used for your analysis papers to support your Annotated Bibliography and Narrative Paper. However, if you elect to use these, the sources must specifically support your topic.

Guidelines
Your analysis papers will demonstrate your ability to investigate:

• The main issue or idea behind the assigned source(s)
• The strength and weaknesses of the source (origin, author, purpose)
• The meaning and significance of the issue upon which the sources focus, answering the “why” and the “because”

It is important to note that your analysis paper is not an opinion paper and should not contain your opinion on the events, but rather a thorough analysis of the information and historical context specific to the assignment instructions. You will support your analysis with appropriate secondary sources (research and citation), but the analysis should be your own and not reflect others’ interpretation of your selected source(s). Refer to the SNHU Shapiro Library History Guide to assist you in researching not only the author or the period of history in which the assigned source was constructed, but searching for and qualifying your supporting resources.
Analysis Paper #2 (Assigned in Module Three, due in Module Four)
Analysis Paper #2 requires two primary sources and focuses on leadership. Use your sources to focus on one military leader and one political leader, each of your own choosing. Discuss the importance of leadership—both military and political—in determining the course of events in World War I. How and why did some succeed and some fail the test presented by World War? Remember, you should be using at least two other resources (primary or secondary) to support your analysis. This means that your completed paper will have a total of four resources, at least two of them a primary resource.
Rubric
Analysis paper assignments should follow these formatting guidelines: 2–3 pages, double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, one-inch margins, and citations in Turabian format.

Critical Elements Exemplary Proficient Needs Improvement Not Evident Value
Analysis of the Argument
What is the issue?
Fully explains the historical debate, accurately distinguishing between fact and opinion in key points while thoroughly explores reliability of author(s)
(23-25) Explains historical debate with mostly accurate distinctions between fact and opinion in key points while examining reliability of author
(20-22) Explains historical debate but with gaps related to accurate distinctions between fact and interpreted opinion in key points and reliability of author
(18-19) Summarizes historical debate but does not offer any analysis related to distinctions between facts and opinions in key points and/or reliability of author
(0-17) 25
Historical Context
What is the significance of this issue? Relates selected primary source to specific historical context in which it was written with specific supporting details
(23-25) Relates selected primary source to specific historical context in which it was written with some details
(20-22) Relates selected primary source to specific historical context in which it was written but with no detail
(18-19) Does not relate selected primary source to specific historical context in which it was written

(0-17) 25
Research
In addition to assigned source(s) Assembles and explains two or more relevant resources that clearly support learner’s analysis of the argument and interpretation of the historical context
(18-20) Assembles and explains at two relevant resources that support most of learner’s analysis of the argument and interpretation of the historical context

(16-17) Assembles at least one additional relevant resource but does not sufficiently support learner’s analysis of the argument and interpretation of the historical context
(14-15) No additional research, or sources used do not support learner’s analysis of the argument and interpretation of the historical context

(0-13) 20
Citation
Quotes, paraphrases, bibliography All citations and sources are integrated and formatted accurately
(14-15) At least 80% citations and sources are integrated and formatted accurately
(12-13) At least 70% citations and sources are integrated and formatted accurately
(11) Less than 70% citations and sources are integrated effectively and formatted accurately
(0-10) 15
Writing Mechanics No errors related to grammar or organization
(14-15) Errors of grammar and organization are marginal and rarely interrupt the flow

(12-13) Errors of grammar and organization are limited enough that the paper is still able to be understood
(11) Errors of grammar and organization make the paper difficult to understand

(0-10) 15
Earned Total
Comments: 100%