Research Paper Overview

Pivotal Moment Persuasive Essay

(Mini Performance Based Assessment Task)

So far this year, we have been learning about the long struggle towards achieving civil rights in the United States. We learned about Reconstruction efforts in the 1800’s and how Jim Crow laws and Black Codes were implemented to create a segregated South and prevent efforts at equality from moving forward. We then learned about how individuals and groups fought for civil rights.

You will be writing a 2-3 page essay in which you look at how legal segregation was ended and how civil rights were eventually achieved. More specifically, you will write about what moments help to spark this change in our country.

Your essay should respond to the following prompt: How can individual moments spark change? Describe one pivotal moment from the civil rights movement. What made this moment pivotal? How did it spark change and help achieve civil rights?

Your essay will include the following sections:

I.               Introduction: Give context and share your thesis statement

II.              Explanation of your event: describe your event in detail. Use evidence from your research.

III.            Background information: are there events leading up to your moment that helped make this a pivotal moment? What else is happening at that time?

IV.            Argument one: Why is this a pivotal moment?

V.              Argument two: Why else is this a pivotal moment?

VI.            Argument three: Final reason this is a pivotal moment?

VII.           Opposing argument: Why might others argue this isn’t a pivotal moment? Why are they wrong?

VIII.         Conclusion: Restate thesis, how does it connect to today?

Note: Sections VI. And VII. Are encouraged but optional. You should only begin work on them after completing all other sections.

Topics (select one):

q Emmett Till’s Murder

q Brown v. Board of Education

q The Little Rock 9 enter Central High School

q Nashville Lunch Counter Sit-Ins

q The Montgomery Bus Boycott

q _____________________________ (If you are selecting your own moment, you will be responsible for gathering your own sources for research. Additionally, you must ok your topic with Amanda and/or Chris before beginning)