Progressive Era Research: Home

1. You will select one reformer that had an impact on the United States during the Progressive Era (approximately 1900-1930) from the list provided and compare it to a reformer of the last 20 years.

No two students may use the same reformers

1. Using academic research tools (this means not Google, but the library’s databases--there is a link to those on Classlink), you will write a 2-page analytical essay that:

   1. Has a thesis statement that compares and contrasts the two reformers in terms of their time period, their reforms, their methods of reforms, and their impact on society.  

   2. Explains the historical context that caused the need for the reforms

   3. Describes the process of getting the reforms passed (political protest, lobbying, private establishment etc) including any resistance to the reform.

   4. Explains the impact of the reforms on modern day society.

This is NOT a laundry list of each of the reformers’ work--but a thoughtful analysis comparing and contrasting the two.

2.  In addition to the class presentation you will include citations within the paper, and a bibliography using MLA style.  You must use a minimum of 5 academic sources, and you MUST CITE YOUR SOURCES FOR EVERY FACT OR OPINION THAT IS NOT YOUR OWN, EVEN IF YOU ARE USING YOUR OWN WORDS!

3. This does not mean you can use large bodies of text from your sources, but paraphrase, using citations, and use short quotes unless the wording is particularly fascinating, again using citation.

The essays and bibliographies are due by the end of class: 

A Day Classes:  November 18:  No late work accepted after Dec. 2

B Day Classes: Monday, November 21: No late work accepted after Dec. 5

The project will be worth a total of 100 points:

70 points for the content of your essay

30 points for the Citation and bibliography.

Here is the rubric that will be used to assess your project