Take-Home Essay/Paper

Essay Topic: The structure and processes of the U.S. Congress

Choose two of the following four prompts as well as the final prompt which MUST be
answered, and answer them in a well-constructed in a five paragraph essay. This essay must
have an introduction paragraph, a broad thesis, and a conclusion paragraph.

1. Describe the over-arching structure of Congress as well as specific structure of its

houses.
2. List the nine key leadership positions within Congress and briefly explain the specific
role and powers of two of them. Explain the impact of these two leadership positions
on the legislative process.
3. Explain the committee system, the alternative we discussed in class, and the
positives and negatives of each.
4. How does a bill become a law? Explain the process in steps. This may overlap with
previous questions.

Mandatory Question: What in this Unit could have better helped you understand the
legislative branch?

Rubric still being made.

Description Below Standard (1) Approaching At Standard (3) Above Standard (4)
Standard (2)
Focus & Details - This essay was This essay This essay was This essay was very
This essay answers unfocused, addressed the focused and focused, properly
the prompt and frequently subject matter and communicated answered the
doesnt stray into addressing presented valid ideas, concepts and prompt, and
unrelated topics. unrelated subjects information, but information to the communicated their
Each body and did not answer often drifted and reader that ideas, concepts and
paragraph answers the prompts in the made unrelated answered the essay information to the
1 of the prompts correct structure points. prompt. reader in an
engaging manner.
Tone/Voice The This essay is highly This essay has This essay is This essay not only
writing is presented personalized with no limited awareness of presented in is presented in a
in a formal, objective formal or objective formal/ objective formal/objective formal/objective
tone with a broad tone. There is no tone. The tone. The tone, but does so in
but well developed thesis or guiding introduction states introduction has a a way that helps the
thesis to guide the statement of any the three chosen thesis which states reader better
paper. kind. topics. the main topics and understand the text.
provides an The intro engages
overview of the the reader, states
paper. the main topics, and
provides an
overview/ roadmap
of the paper.
Organization The There is no clear An introduction is The introduction is The introduction is
essay had well- introduction, included. There are well-formulated and well-formulated and
constructed structure, or three body centered around helps the reader
introduction, body, conclusion. paragraphs. A thesis. The three understand exactly
and conclusion conclusion is body paragraphs where the paper is
paragraphs. included. correspond with the going. Topics are
main points. A logically presented
 conclusion is in three paragraphs.
included. The conclusion is
engaging and
restates the writers
thesis.

Mechanics & Repeated Infrequent spelling No spelling No mistakes in

Grammar misspelling, mistakes, grammar mistakes, grammar mechanics or
grammar mistakes, mistakes, or mistakes, or grammar at all.
or misuse of misused language. misused language. Sentence structure
language. Sentences Mostly well- Well-constructed helps emphasize
were repetitive in an constructed sentences with points, is not
unhelpful/distracting sentences. varying lengths. distracting, and
way, were enhances
awkwardly formed, understanding of
or difficult to paper.
understand.
Description Below Standard (1) Approaching At Standard (3) Above Standard (4)
Standard (2)

Focus & Details

Tone/Voice

Organization

Mechanics &
Grammar

TOTAL SCORE