Overview
Write on the given topic below, giving examples for each of your major points. For a paper this size, you should have 3-5 major points based on historically accurate sources to back up your stance. These should be presented in your introduction, and then examined in depth in the body of your essay. You can reiterate your points and stance in the conclusion of your essay. Essay must be 5-7 pages long, 12-point font, Times New Roman and double spaced.
Assignment: You MUST choose one side- Andrew Jackson: American “Hero” or “Villain”- and make an argument based on evidence for your stance. While you may certainly point out that he was not completely one or the other (giving examples, of course), you still must choose which one he was more of and defend that stance.
Essay Prompt: Andrew Jackson: American “Hero” or “Villain”? Based on your interpretation of the content provided to you in this course and in your outside academic sources, do you find that Andrew Jackson was more of an American “Hero” or “Villain?” Your response should include specific events from throughout Jackson’s life—from his youth to his time as a senator from TN, his exploits in the War of 1812 and the Indian Wars, as well as his two terms as President of the United States (i.e. these may include, but are not limited to- the election of 1824 and the “corrupt bargain, his “spoils system,” the Nullification Crisis, the Bank War, and the Indian Removal Act).
Sources: For sources, you are welcome to use all of the sources provided in our course, including the documentary on Andrew Jackson. You must also use at least two (2) outside academic sources such as books, scholarly journals, or academic websites. Further down the page is a list of prohibited sources. For ALL sources you must create a Works Cited page that lists all of the ones you use in proper MLA or APA format.
Citations: For citations you need to use standard MLA or APA parenthetical citations within your paper. You must give a citation when you state facts, even if you paraphrase. This also includes your introduction and conclusion paragraphs. Citations are how you acknowledge the people who did the work on the source material. If you don’t cite them, you are stealing your work. I don’t give good grades for plagiarized work. You may simply use the name of the source or author, and if available the page number after the sentence. For Example: Andrew Jackson was elected president of the United States in 1828 (Smith, 15).
Works Cited Page: At the end of your analysis, you must also include a standard MLA or APA works cited page listing all of the sources you used. This is different from the citation info discussed above. Your sources should be listed in alphabetical order in standard MLA or APA format. Again, utilize format guides if you are confused on the correct format. The works cited page does not count as part of the 5- page minimum.
PROHIBITED SOURCE MATERIAL: o Anything NON-SCHOLARLY o Wiki anything o YouTube videos (OTHER than the included documentary on Andrew Jackson) o Websites that are not credible or academic (you should stick to .org sites, university sites, museum sites, JSTOR, etc.)