Renaissance Position Paper Assignment

From the choices provided below you will select ​FIVE​ of the topics
to write a paragraph on. You will express your position in relation to
the topic. Each topic should be thought out and support for your
argument clearly stated. Make sure that you state your position and
support it with information that you have learned during the unit on
the Renaissance. Provide specific examples and details whenever
possible to make your position clear. Do ​NOT​ rewrite the
assignment descriptor from below, but you should include the title and the number of the
question.

1. Christopher Columbus​ – In your opinion was Columbus a hero or

villain? Explain your position.

2. Invention or Idea​ – What do you think was the greatest invention or

idea of the Renaissance times? What kind of impact has it had on
the rest of the world since it was invented?

3. Renaissance Personality​ – Who do you consider the most

influential person of the Renaissance? What characteristics did they
possess that made them so influential on others during the Renaissance?

4. Humanism​ – Do you consider yourself a Humanist? In what ways are do you think you
exhibit Humanist traits.

5. Exploration ​– Who would you consider to be the explorers of the 21​st​ century? What
areas of exploration do we see expansionism or imperialism in even today?

6. Canadian Renaissance​ – Canada is a society that is

undergoing constant change by adapting new values, beliefs
and customs. Discuss whether you think that Canada is
currently experiencing a Renaissance that represents new
ideas and having a rebirth of knowledge or showing new
ways of looking at the world.

7. My Identity​ – Think of an experience that you have had in which you have encountered
different ways of doing things, eaten different foods, listened to different music or
experienced different traditions. How did these experiences impact your worldview?

8. Intelligent Life ​– The European explorers felt

superiority to the cultures that they encountered on their travels.
Currently, many humans believe that they may be the only intelligent
form of life in the universe. How would the discovery of intelligent life in
another solar system cause people on Earth to experience a shift in
worldview?
 9. Tithes & Taxes​ – During the Renaissance, individuals had to give a portion of their
money to the church which would use the money to help the poor. Today we would
donate the money directly to charitable organizations without
being forced to. Consider the worldviews of both societies and
explain if the acts were the same or different.

10. Literacy –​ Think about the writers of the books that you
read today. Choose an author whose books you have read and
explain how they have had an effect on your beliefs or values
and the ways that you
view the world.

11. Feudalism​ – Once feudalism began to disappear,

daily life changed for the people of the Renaissance.
List several ways that you might consider were
improvements and choose one example that
demonstrates how it continues to impact the lives of
people even today (how is it still a part of our
western worldview?)

12. Individualism​ – Belief in the importance of the

individual spread rapidly throughout Renaissance Europe. How can you as an individual
maintain your own identity, yet still continue to be a good citizen of our society?

Notes:

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RUBRIC 6 5 4 3 2 1

Thesis Developed a strong Developed a strong Developed a strong Developed a Thesis A clear position
Statement thesis and included it in thesis and included it thesis and included it thesis statement Statement is not present
the appropriate place in in the appropriate in the appropriate and included it in needs to be throughout the
the paper. The thesis place in the paper. place in the paper. the paper. Some developed paper.
was the focal point of The thesis was the Most of the of the information further or is not
the paper and was both focal point of the information supported supported the included in the
strongly and thoroughly paper and supported the thesis statement. thesis statement. paper. The
supported throughout throughout the paper. thesis is not
the paper. fully supported
in the paper.

Strong Position is supported Position is supported Position is supported Position is Reasons are Reasons are
Reasons with well developed and with well developed with a minimum of supported with a weak and/or not developed
thought out reasons and thought out three distinct reasons. minimum of three repetitive. They or are
(minimum of three). reasons (minimum of Reasons are distinct reasons. need to be repetitive. Ideas
Reasons show strong three). Reasons are developed, but more Reasons are developed and can be difficult
analysis and well developed, but analysis and developed, but are explained to understand.
conclusions based on analysis and conclusions are more general and further.
the information. conclusions need to needed. need to be
be strengthened. developed further.

Depth and Position is supported in Position is supported Position is supported Position needs to Paper lacks Little to no
Variety of depth with a variety of with a variety of with a variety of be supported with valid and support from
sources. Substantial sources. Adequate sources. Valid and more valid and accurate researched
Evidence
valid and accurate valid and accurate accurate information accurate information. information is
information in the form information has been has been used information. Some Some of the present in the
of expert opinion, used throughout the throughout the paper. of the information information is paper.
statistics, research paper. Information is Most of the may not be not relevant and
studies, etc. has been relevant and information is relevant relevant and/or does not
used throughout the supports the writer’s and supports the does not support support the
paper. Information is ideas. writer’s ideas. A mix of the thesis. position.
relevant and supports general and specific
the writer’s ideas. information is used.

Organization Ideas are well organized Most ideas are well Organization of the Paper has some Paper has little Paper lacks
and and free of mechanical organized and free of paper needs to be organization but organization organization
errors. mechanical errors. strengthened. some diversions or and many and there are
Mechanics
Mechanical errors are abrupt shifts in diversions, often numerous
present throughout purpose are shifting in mechanical
the paper. present. Many purpose. Many errors which
mechanical errors mechanical make
are present as errors are comprehension
well. Sentence present and difficult.
structure needs to transitions are
be strengthened. not utilized.

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