Mexican-American War

Three full pages minimum (excluding the title page, works cited, and citations).
Double spaced, 12 point, Times New Roman font, with 1 inch margins all around.
Each essay should support a thesis statement with information gained from research or investigation. Make sure your thesis is narrow and focuses on one particular aspect of a topic. This is a short paper so make sure the topic is small enough to fit.
Each essay will not be just a report presenting information, but will be an essay that carefully examines and presents your own historical interpretation of the topic you have chosen and your interpretation of the information you have gathered. History is more than telling stories of past events and people, instead it is the interpretation of their importance.
Citations must be included. It does not matter which format that you choose as long as they are accurate and include page numbers.

INTRODUCTION & THESIS: Includes a clear thesis statement, an assertion or position. Topic is original and manageable in a short research paper.

FOCUS AND DEVELOPMENT: Body of the essay focuses on this thesis and develops it fully, recognizing the complexity of issues and refuting arguments in opposition to the thesis.

SUPPORT AND SYNTHESIS: Uses sufficient and relevant evidence to support the thesis (and primary points), including facts, inferences, and judgments. Quotes, summarizes, and paraphrases accurately and effectively–appropriately introducing and explaining each quote. Shows a clear understanding of the sources; has evaluated each source and used it appropriately. Uses a wide variety of sources reflecting significant research.

CONVENTIONS: Uses MLA format correctly; includes a Works Cited list; is free of errors. CORRECTNESS AND STYLE: Introduces the topic in an interesting way; shows critical thinking and depth of understanding; uses appropriate tone; shows sophistication in language usage and sentence structure.