Freedom Synthesis Question
Dr. Gingrich, AP Lang and Comp, Fall 2013
Dr. Gingrich, AP Lang and Comp, Fall 2013
Introduction:
“Since freedom embodies not a single idea but a complex of values, the struggle to define its meaning is simultaneously an intellectual, social, economic, and political contest. A morally charged idea, freedom has been used to convey and claim legitimacy for all kinds of grievances and hopes, fears about the present and visions of the future. At various times in our history it has served as a “protest ideal” and as justification of the status quo. Freedom helps bind our culture together and exposes the contradictions between what America claims to be and what America actually is.”
Foner, Eric. The Story of American Freedom. New York, W.W. Norton, 1998.
In American society we have developed many contradictory views of freedom over the past four hundred years: many define it as a freedom from (oppression, racism, tyranny) while others define it as a freedom to (speak, trade, practice religion). Why is freedom so essential to Americans? Is our vision of freedom different from other countries? Has our view of freedom evolved over time? Is there a difference between our ideals of freedom and the actual practice of freedom?
Prompt:
Read carefully each of the following eight hyperlinked documents. Then in an essay that synthesizes at least three of those sources (you may paraphrase or directly quote those sources; use parenthetical documentation citing either the author’s last name or the letter of the source, Source A, Source B etc.) write an essay in which you support, refute, or qualify Foner’s claim that
Freedom helps bind our culture while simultaneously exposing the contradictions between what America claims to be and what America actually is.
Reading Documents for Freedom Essay
Examples in addition to the sources may come from experiences and observations, readings, and the media. Essays should also include four references to at least two of the works from this semester: The Crucible by Arthur Miller, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, Into the Wild by Jonathon Krakauer, and Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. Essays should be a maximum of 1500 words, six pages. Be sure to pay attention to the hyperlinked rubric.
Scoring Rubric for Freedom Synthesis Essay
“Since freedom embodies not a single idea but a complex of values, the struggle to define its meaning is simultaneously an intellectual, social, economic, and political contest. A morally charged idea, freedom has been used to convey and claim legitimacy for all kinds of grievances and hopes, fears about the present and visions of the future. At various times in our history it has served as a “protest ideal” and as justification of the status quo. Freedom helps bind our culture together and exposes the contradictions between what America claims to be and what America actually is.”
Foner, Eric. The Story of American Freedom. New York, W.W. Norton, 1998.
In American society we have developed many contradictory views of freedom over the past four hundred years: many define it as a freedom from (oppression, racism, tyranny) while others define it as a freedom to (speak, trade, practice religion). Why is freedom so essential to Americans? Is our vision of freedom different from other countries? Has our view of freedom evolved over time? Is there a difference between our ideals of freedom and the actual practice of freedom?
Prompt:
Read carefully each of the following eight hyperlinked documents. Then in an essay that synthesizes at least three of those sources (you may paraphrase or directly quote those sources; use parenthetical documentation citing either the author’s last name or the letter of the source, Source A, Source B etc.) write an essay in which you support, refute, or qualify Foner’s claim that
Freedom helps bind our culture while simultaneously exposing the contradictions between what America claims to be and what America actually is.
Reading Documents for Freedom Essay
Examples in addition to the sources may come from experiences and observations, readings, and the media. Essays should also include four references to at least two of the works from this semester: The Crucible by Arthur Miller, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, Into the Wild by Jonathon Krakauer, and Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. Essays should be a maximum of 1500 words, six pages. Be sure to pay attention to the hyperlinked rubric.
Scoring Rubric for Freedom Synthesis Essay