Objective:

The students will read Ted Widmer’s editorial article on the New York Times on June 28,
2019 (https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/28/opinion/versailles-treaty-woodrow-wilson.html) and
examine whether the author was able to give a fair analysis on the Treaty of Versailles and its
impact to society.

Instructions:
1. They will write an argumentative essay in defense or in opposition to the author’s ideas.
2. They will write an essay accomplishing the objective, with a minimum of 300 words, Arial
11, 1.5 spacing. Here’s a guide on writing an argumentative essay:
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-a-good-argumentative-essay
3. They will prove that the treaties signed at the end of World War I led to more conflict
based on their understanding of the Treaty of Versailles and Woodrow Wilson’s
4. Their work will be evaluated based on the following criteria: Line of reasoning and use of
evidence.

Scoring Rubric

Criteria Exceeding Meeting Approaching Improving Beginning

Standard Standard Standard
(12.5 pts) (11 pts) (9.5 pts) (8 pts) (6.5 pts)

Line of The reasoning The reasoning The student’s The student’s The student’s
Reasoning. presented is being used by the reasons show lack reasons provided reasons provided
concise. The student is based on of understanding of show their lack of show that they did
Formation of student is able to the documents read the editorial article understanding of not read both
reasoning read and for the task. The in question. the documents, but documents at all.
based on the understand the line of reasoning However, the they are still able to The reasoning is
sources read texts carefully to used has minor student is able to extract some ideas not aligned to the
develop their inconsistencies. form reasoning from either source. topic and the
and the article reasoning for the based on the discussions in
used for the task. discussion in class, class.
task. though
inconsistencies are
noticeable.

Use of More than three Three pieces of Two pieces of One piece of A piece of evidence
evidence. pieces of evidence evidence are evidence are evidence is is used in the
are presented in presented in the presented in the presented in the essay. However, it
Includes the the essay. The essay. The essay. The essay. The is inaccurate and
student’s use of evidence used is evidence used is evidence used is evidence used is does not support
the historical accurate and valid accurate and valid accurate and valid accurate and valid the argument at all..
evidence to based on based on based on based on
discussions in discussions in discussions in discussions in
support or class. class. class. class.
oppose the
author’s claim.