Up From Slavery Prompts

UP FROM SLAVERY

By Booker T. Washington

The Assignment:

Each student will read the autobiography, Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington. Then each student should be prepared to answer all or some of the required questions during an in class exam on the book. These required questions (found below) address the trials and tribulations of Afro-Americans in the United States following the Civil War according to the author. Every student must include actual examples from the document/book to defend assertions in their exam responses.

Particulars:

Your answers need to be both insightful and in depth to demonstrate your knowledge of the autobiography. Grammar, diction, legibility and spelling are an important part of your grade.

Required Questions for the Assignment:

1)  What changes, socially did former slaves have to make or endure in post Civil War America? What is their significance?

2)  What changes, politically did former slaves have to make or endure in post Civil War America? What is their significance?

3)  What changes, economically did former slaves have to make or endure in post Civil War America? What is their significance?

4)  According to Booker T. Washington, what road should Afro-Americans “travel” in order gain to equality and have their “race” gain acceptance into white society?

5)  According to Booker T. Washington, what type of education should newly emancipated Afro-Americans immerse themselves in order to become part Southern society?

6)  Defend or Reject Booker T. Washington’s view on the type and importance of education that he advocates for the newly emancipated slaves.

Final Thought:

If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to ask before, during or after class (after the exam is too late). Remember this assignment counts the equivalence of a test grade. Enjoy the book (I did) and have fun with the assignment.

Constructed Response Grading:

A  Each response articulates a clear and solid understanding of the autobiography. You concisely and clearly answer each question with at least three different examples from the book for each response. Grammar, diction, legibility and spelling mistakes are few or nonexistent for an on demand response.

B  Each response articulates a strong understanding of the autobiography. You clearly answer each question with at least two or three examples from the book for each response. Grammar, diction, legibility and spelling mistakes are evident but not completely distracting to the reader for an on demand response.

C  Each response adequately articulates an understanding of the autobiography. You adequately answer each question with at least two different examples from the book for each response. Numerous grammar, diction, legibility and spelling mistakes are evident and are somewhat distracting to the reader even for an on demand response.

D  Your responses attempt to articulate an understanding of the autobiography. You attempt to answer each question but supply less than two different examples from the book for every response. Numerous grammar, diction, legibility and spelling mistakes are evident and are thoroughly distracting to the reader even for an on demand response.

F Response for the assignment is not attempted, or not answered with a demonstration of the required text. Poor legibility makes reading the response impossible.

May the Schwartz be with you!