Earning the Complexity Point

Writing Activity

Complexity Point Writing Activity #1

Assume a prompt that reads, “Evaluate the extent to which the Second Great Awakening influenced social reform movements in the United States in the period from 1820 to 1860.” Then look over the “structured chart appearing below:

• Then assume an argument that can be summarized this way: "Then assume that the student’s response to this prompt can be summarized as follows.”
• Now attempt to earn the Complexity Point via the tack-it-on approach.

Complexity Point Writing Activity #2

Assume a prompt that reads, “Evaluate the extent to which the Industrial Revolution transformed the economic landscape of the United States in the period from 1820–1870.”

• Then assume a thesis that reads: To a great extent, the Industrial Revolution transformed the United States’ economy from around 1820 to 1870. During this period, it caused a significant change from farming to industry, introduced numerous impressive technological advancements, and improved national trade and connectivity through the expansion of the railroad network.
• Now attempt to earn the Complexity Point via the tack-it-on approach

Complexity Point Writing Activity #2

Assume a prompt that reads, “Evaluate the extent to which the outcomes of the Mexican-American War impacted sectional tensions between the North and the South in the United States from 1846 to 1859.”

• Then assume a thesis that reads: To a great extent, the outcomes of the Mexican-American War impacted sectional tensions between the North and the South in the United States from 1846 to 1859. During this period, these outcomes resulted in greater sectional tensions over issues relating to slavery, states’ rights, and territorial expansion.
• Now attempt to earn the Complexity Point via the tack-it-on approach

Complexity Point Writing Activity #3

Assume a prompt that reads, “Evaluate the extent to which westward expansion impacted the development of the Great Plains region in the United States from 1848 to 1900.”

• Assume a thesis that reads: “To a great extent, westward expansion impacted the development of the Great Plains region in the United States from 1848 to 1900. During this period, westward expansion resulted in the displacement of Native American populations from their land, the rapid growth of American settlements on their territory, and the transformation of their land from its pristine state into a landscape dominated by agriculture and factories.”
• Now attempt to earn the Complexity Point via the tack-it-on approach

Complexity Point Writing Activity #4

Assume a prompt that reads, “Evaluate the extent to which the Transcontinental Railroad impacted the expansion and development of the western United States from 1869 to 1900.”

• Assume a thesis that reads: To a great extent, the Transcontinental Railroad impacted the expansion and development of the western United States from 1869 to 1900. During this period, the completion of the railroad resulted in way more westward migration, economic growth, and the establishment of new towns and industries along its route.
• Now attempt to earn the Complexity Point via the tack-it-on approach