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Antebellum Reform Project: O'Brien: Assignment

Assignment

 

You will research a reformer from the early 19th Century and learn a bit about their distinguishing characteristics. 

Once you "know" this individual, you will present your “candidate” for admission to the prestigious United States University, trying to convince the admissions committee that your candidate should fill one of the five spots available.

You will try to convey the uniqueness of the applicant, her/his strengths, character, accomplishments, and gifts that s/he would carry to the university, using specific examples from this person’s life to illustrate what makes him or her outstanding.  Obviously, you will have to do some research.

Requirements

Requirements

Documentation: The LibGuide will help you make an annotated bibliography.  We will use the Chicago style (see tab for citations in this libguide) and your bibliography will be annotated and submitted to me in Blackbaud 

Research Notes: Be sure to paraphrase your notes; absolutely do not cut and paste, or you’ll end up plagiarizing. 

Quotations: This assignment does not call for any quotes, but please be sure that if you include any quotes, they are from primary sources ONLY and that you cite the source properly. Failure to do so will be considered plagiarism.  If you feel you MUST include one, please see me about how to do that. 

Sources: You will use a minimum of THREE sources
     -one of the three must be a primary source 

     -two should be from Databases you can access through the library website. (See "Resources" tab)

     --You’ll submit your annotated bibliography to Bbd. (See "Citations" tab)

Content

Look at the individual's life, and especially the work for which s/he was best known. As you research, think about the ultimate goal--the presentation to the Admission Committee, NOT a biography or mere list of accomplishments.

  • What was his/her work, philosophy, contribution, etc?
  • What qualities/strengths/skills are necessary for such accomplishments?
  • What does this tell you about the individual's intellect, priorities, independence, sensitivity, creativity, self-discipline, aims, values, integrity, initiative, and character?
  • You will often have to make inferences. Again, you should discuss your candidate's assets rather than describe his/her life.
  • This is NOT a narrative of someone's life.

The Applicants

  • William Lloyd Garrison
  • Lucretia Mott
  • Angelina Grimke (Weld)
  • Susan B. Anthony
  • Margaret Fuller
  • Lydia Maria Child
  • Thomas Garett
  • Dorothea Dix
  • Horace Mann
  • James Birney
  • William Still
  • Wendell Phillips
  • David Ruggles
  • Elizabeth Cady Stanton
  • Theodore Parker
  • Thomas Wentworth Higginson
  • Abby Kelley (Foster)
  • Lucy Stone
  • Frederick Douglass
  • John P. Parker

Suggestions for Starting the Process

Make use of the resources you already have:

  • Use your textbook and the videos on the project home page for some background info/context.  
  • The library has Biographical Dictionaries and reference materials on reserve for you to use, (see American Reformers  - on reserve in the library--this has some of the best info on many though not all, of the reformers).
  • You do not have time to read even just one biography on your subject. Remember, you are just getting an overview and your real focus is on outstanding qualities. Use the databases available on the resource page of this guide.
  • Read the sample recommendation letter provided below to see what a recommendation might look like.