In this assignment, you’ll consider the pros and cons of industrialization.
Step 1. First, read through these four sources that relate to the industrial age. Make a copy of the document (File > Make a Copy) or download the document (File > Download) so that you can type directly onto your own copy.
In your own copy of the document, answer the three questions in the right-hand column about each source.
Step 2: Write a short essay response to ONE of the following questions:
Were the industrial titans of the Gilded Age “robber barons” seeking profit at the expense of their workforce, or were they simply entrepreneurial industrialists whose rapidly growing industries provided thousands of well-paying jobs to less-skilled workers? Why or why not?
OR
To what extent has industrialization been a blessing or a curse to American society? Explain.
In your response, reference all 4 of the documents (simply typing (Source A) or (Source D) when you reference each one is sufficient). Your response should be between 300-500 words. You should have a clear thesis statement that answers the question and supporting evidence from the documents.
Step 3: Submit your finished work, including the copy of your document with the answers to the 12 questions, as well as your short essay response.
Assignment Grading Rubric
| Criteria | Developing | Satisfactory | Excellent | Points |
| Reading Responses | Does not answer all of the critical thinking questions or does not demonstrate understanding of the sources provided | Answers each of the critical thinking questions about the four sources. | Carefully answers each of the 12 critical thinking questions and demonstrates an understanding of each source. | __ /6 |
| Essay argument | Essay does not carefully address the questions posed or does not have a thesis statement with a clear stance about industrialization. | Essay answers one of the two posed questions while taking a stance on the issues of industrialization. | Writes a well-developed essay with a clear thesis statement that answers one of the two posed questions. The essay is easy to read and takes an obvious stance on the issue of industrialization. | __ /6 |
| Use of evidence | The claims made in the essay are not clearly connected to the 4 sources provided or are not clearly synthesized into the essay. | The claims made in the essay are supported by evidence from the documents. | The claims made in the essay are supported by evidence from the documents, including references to each of the 4 sources. The evidence is explained and synthesized into the argument. | __ /8 |
| Total | __/ 20 |