Essay Theme

Because of Them . . .The Impact of Black Inventors

 

Grade-Level Essay Prompts

 

Elementary (3-5):             After reading at least one source about a Black inventor, develop an essay that describes the impact of their invention.

 

Middle School (6-8):        After reading at least two sources about a Black inventor, develop an essay that describes the impact of their invention.

 

High School (9-12):          After reading at least three sources about a Black inventor, develop an essay that describes the impact of their invention. Your essay must include at least one counterclaim.

 

Thesis Statement

Your thesis statement should explore an invention of a Black inventor and how their invention improved a business sector, the country, or the world. To satisfy this requirement, you must choose to write about how the invention improved people’s lives in one or more of the following ways:

• Environment

• Culture

• Health

• Housing

• Business Development/Economics

• Behavior

• Educational Attainment

• Job Attainment

• Civic participation (such as voting or running for public office)

 

Sample Thesis Statements

1. In 1874, Elijah McCoy patented his invention of the portable ironing board and improved people’s ability to iron clothes on even surfaces.

2. Alice Parker invented and patented a central heating furnace using natural gas, which improved the ways people keep their homes warm in the winter by making it safer and more convenient than using wood fireplaces.

3. In 1982, Lonnie Johnson invented the Super Soaker water gun, which has allowed children across the world to enjoy playing with water even if they do not have access to a pool or beach.

 

 

What Must Be Included in Your Essay

1. Provide the problems that existed before the invention that made the invention important. Include the context of what was or is happening.

 

1. Describe the ways the invention improved people’s lives. Did it make a task easier? Did it improve health? Did it help people in their work places or in school?

2. If possible, describe the effect the invention had on communities, the country, or the world. Include any statistics about how many people’s lives improved or any other information you can find about the effects of the invention.

3. Describe how the invention affects you personally. You may include the reason you chose the topic, how it has made you feel, or what you will do differently now that you know more. You must include this personal statement. It is mandatory.

4. If you are in high school, you must also include one counter-argument. What criticisms have there been of the invention or of the inventor him/herself?

 

Submission Guidelines

• All writing must be in your own words. No copying from text unless it is a direct quote or otherwise necessary to support an argument.

• Elementary school students must have at least 200 words. Middle school participants must have between 300 – 400 words. High school participants must have between 500 – 700 words.

• Essays must be submitted as a PDF file.

• Participants must include a Bibliography with all sources listed (at least one source for elementary, two sources for middle school, and three sources for high school).

• Participants may send the “Intent to Submit” form by the deadline (see below). However, this is not required to participate in the contest.

• High School students must have at least one counterclaim. A counterclaim is an opinion that rebuts yours. (Example: There were racist assumptions that African-Americans couldn’t be scientists or engineers. In many cases, whites refused to believe that an African-American could create something of great significance.)

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• Text must be in Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman and at least 12-point font.

• All essays must include a Cover Page that includes:

  • Name and Grade

  • School and Teacher(s)

  • Participant’s email address, if applicable

  • Home address, including zip code

  • Parent/Guardian’s name, phone number, and email address

  • Title of the essay

*The Cover Page is not included in the word count.

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