FOAG - Founding Father Letter Project

With what you have learned on the foundations of American government, look forward to how the Constitution and the United States government has been transformed over time. Read the following article from History.com to gain insight into some of those changes.

How the US Constitution Has Changed and Expanded Since 1787 Links to an external site.

Review the following article from History.com to gain insight into the founding fathers. 

The Founding Fathers Links to an external site.

Then continue your outside research and complete the FOAG Founding Father Letter Project.

What was the founders' grand vision of what the United States of America would be like? How does today’s society and government compare to what you thought their vision would have been?

Instructions

Write a letter to one of the founding fathers looking back on the United States of America and how things have changed since the signing of the Constitution and the creation of the United States of America.

The opening paragraph should connect to the founding father you are writing to in this letter. Include some information about the founding father. 

Include in your letter the following topics by separating them out in separate supporting paragraphs or sections:

• Changes to the balance of power between states and the federal government. 
• Changes in the right to vote. 
• Changes to the judicial branch, especially the Supreme Court. 
• Changes to the executive branch. 
• Changes in the legislative branch. 
• The rise of political parties. 

For each of the topics, include a graphic/image.

Use a MLA citation guide to cite your sources. You can use information from the content pages and reputable internet resources for your research. You will need to cite all information appropriately. Include the citations in your finished file.

For Works Cited, find examples and information from the MLA lesson in your course or by searching Purdue Owl - Online Writing Lab - MLA General Format.

Submission Options

Please select one option for your submission.

• Written
  • Upload your letter as a Word file (.docx) or PDF (.pdf)
• Audio
  • Alternatively, you can record audio directly by selecting Record/Upload Media feature
  • If you are completing this assignment with audio, you need to write a script - just be sure to submit it when you upload your audio.
  • For this assignment, if you decide to record your letter to a founding father, please submit the following:
    • An audio file (.mp3 preferred, but not required)
    • Submit a written copy of your script (.docx or .pdf).
• Video
  • If you are completing this assignment with video, you need to write a script - just be sure to submit it when you upload your video.
  • For this assignment, if you decide to record a video message to a founding father, please submit the following:
    • A video file (.mp4 or .mov preferred, but not required)
    • Submit a written copy of your script (.docx or .pdf).

Do NOT submit your project as a weblink. If you do, your instructor will request that you resubmit in one of the above formats - you must upload an actual file to complete this assignment.

Submit your assignment when finished with your Name and Assignment Name at the top of the document.

Scoring Guideline

Opening paragraph connected to the founding father. - At least 2 analytical sentences (6 pts.)

Include in your letter the following topics by separating them out in separate supporting paragraphs or sections:

• 1st supporting paragraph - Changes in balance of power in state and federal government. (12 pts.) At least 3 analytical sentences with evidence
• 2nd supporting paragraph - Changes in right to vote. (12 pts.) At least 3 analytical sentences with evidence
• 3rd supporting paragraph - Changes to the judicial branch. (12 pts.) At least 3 analytical sentences with evidence
• 4th supporting paragraph - Changes to the executive branch. (12 pts.) At least 3 analytical sentences with evidence
• 5th supporting paragraph - Changes in the legislative branch. (12 pts.) At least 3 analytical sentences with evidence
• 6th supporting paragraph - The rise of political parties. (12 pts.) At least 3 analytical sentences with evidence

Include images to illustrate each of the 6 supporting topics. (12 pts.) 2 pts. each

Use a MLA citation guide to cite your sources. You can use information from the content pages and reputable internet resources for your research. You will need to cite all information appropriately, this is worth 10 pts. for this assignment. Include the citations in your finished file.

See the Scoring Rubric below for grading insight.