HIST 1301: Summer 2021 Online

Précis Guidelines and Rubric

Guidelines for Précis: For each reading assigned for a week and posted within the module, you should write approximately one to two paragraphs telling me some of the important aspects of each document, as well as the who, what, where, when, and perhaps most importantly, why the document is important and how it fits into the themes and ideas we have been learning in class. Do not summarize, though you should bring up key points. Each précis must be at least 400 words and include a word count. There will be a 10-point deduction for not including a word count. An example of a précis can be found on Canvas under “Pages.”

Please note: all of the information should come from your understanding of the documents themselves, NOT outside sources.

Note 2: If you submit your precis assignments to Upswing or the Tutoring Center, and include a copy of their feedback along with your assignment, I will give you a 10-point bonus. This is the only extra credit I will offer in the course.

Precis Rubric

Criteria

Ratings

Pts

Content

30.0 pts

Exemplary

Student discusses the documents in depth, and gives own analysis of said documents. (100%)

27.0 pts

Proficient

Student discusses the documents but with some gaps in their analysis of the documents (90%)

21.0 pts

Needs Improvement

Student discusses the document in vague terms with components of the paper missing (70%)

0.0 pts

Not Evident

Student does not discuss specifics within the documents

30.0 pts

Importance of Document

10.0 pts

Exemplary

Student clearly gives the importance for each document (100%)

0.0 pts

Not Evident

Student does not give the importance of each document (0%)

10.0 pts

Mechanics

10.0 pts

Exemplary

Paper is easily understood, clear, and concise using proper citation methods where applicable with no errors (100%)

7.0 pts

Needs Improvement

Paper is understandable using proper citation methods where applicable with a number of errors (70%)

0.0 pts

Not Evident

Paper is not understandable and does not use proper citation methods where applicable (0%)

10.0 pts

Total Points: 50.0

Name:

Sample Précis

Hamilton’s Report on Manufacturers

In 1791 Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury, wrote his Report on Manufactures. One of Hamilton’s primary goals in writing this document was to ensure that the United States was “independent of foreign nations for military and other essential supplies.” In his report, Hamilton encouraged the expansion of manufacturing in the United States and advocated that the economy not be solely reliant on farming, though he acknowledges that many people thought that the United States should be an agrarian society. Hamilton also lists the three main objections to the U.S. pursuing manufacturing- “scarcity of hands, dearness of labor, want of capital”- and dismisses all three objections. He is not above borrowing capital from foreign states if it meant building up our country.

Perhaps more controversially for this era, Hamilton suggests funded debt as a way to potentially pay for an increase of manufacturers. To me, this idea seems controversial because at this time it seems that many Americans were scared of a large government following the American Revolution, and Hamilton, by suggesting this, was essentially proposing a larger, more involved government and assigning to it powers that were not granted in the Constitution. However, Hamilton says that funded debt would be an alternative to borrowing money from European nations.

In this report, Hamilton acknowledges that one of the consequences of promoting manufacturing “was an increase in price.” However, he dismisses the idea that only a certain class of people would benefit from the introduction of manufacturing. He states that even though prices might be higher initially, “it is universally true that the contrary is the ultimate effect with every successful manufacture” and that “it invariably becomes cheaper.” He believes that the competition from other manufacturers would prevent a monopoly from occurring, and would keep prices on goods low for all Americans regardless of class.

I believe that Hamilton wrote this document because he believed “…not only the wealth but the independence and security of a country appear to be materially connected with the prosperity of manufactures.” The Revolutionary War had ended only a few years earlier, and it seems that Hamilton, like many Americans, was looking at a way of strengthening the infrastructure of the country. It is important because he is challenging the traditional farming structure, and while he does not want to get rid of it completely, feels that the United States should look to grow and develop as a nation.

Word Count: 414 Words