Essay Prompt
History 10603
Spring 2012

The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
By Frederick Douglass

Date due: Wednesday, April 25, at 2:00 p.m.

The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass details the experiences of one escaped slave. Your task is to create a carefully written essay of 750-1,500 words (three to five pages) according to the following prompt. You must do both halves of this prompt.

Reader Reaction

Part 1. Based on our study of the condition of the United States prior to the Civil War, imagine yourself to be a reader in the North or in the South in 1861. (The book was published in 1845.) What is your reaction to Douglass’s narrative? You may write this in first person as a character if you wish.

Part 2. What aspect of the Douglass narrative do you, in 2012, find most interesting, enlightening, or shocking? Explain your reaction. In your explanation, consider what you have learned about slavery before, whether in class, through reading, documentaries, or other study.

Grading rubric

A
B
C
Mastery of topic
Exceptionally strong familiarity with Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
Good familiarity with Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
Acceptable familiarity with Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
Analysis
Exceptionally strong analysis of the life of Frederick Douglass and other slaves
Good analysis of the life of Frederick Douglass and other slaves
Acceptable analysis of the life of Frederick Douglass and other slaves
Use of the book
Makes superior use of material and quotations from the book to support the discussion
Makes good use of material and quotations from the book to support the discussion
Makes acceptable use of material and quotations from the book to support the discussion

Thoroughness