Few prompts generate as much debate as whether Giants in the Earth celebrates or critiques the American Dream. Students can argue that Per Hansa's energy and success embody the promise of opportunity, or that the family's losses expose its hidden costs. Because both positions can be defended, grading requires attention to reasoning and not the conclusion.

A strong argumentative essay takes a clear position and supports it with textual evidence, acknowledging complexity along the way. Students who claim the novel is entirely pro-dream or entirely anti-dream usually oversimplify. The most persuasive papers recognize that Rølvaag presents both achievement and cost and then argue which carries more weight.

One frequent problem is that students bring in outside assumptions about the American Dream without defining the term. Is it material success, freedom, or belonging? An essay that never clarifies what it means by the dream leaves the argument unstable, and your feedback should ask for that definition.

Scoring argument quality

Consider scoring claim clarity, support, counterargument, and reasoning. Counterargument is especially important in a debate-style essay, since a student who ignores opposing evidence appears to be cherry-picking. A good paper acknowledges the strongest evidence against its position and explains why it is less persuasive.

• Defines the American Dream in a way that fits the novel's historical setting
• Takes a clear, defensible position about the author's stance
• Uses evidence from multiple sections of the novel
• Engages directly with at least one counterargument
• Explains why the chosen evidence outweighs the alternatives

Avoiding bias in grading positions

Teachers have their own views on the novel and on the American Dream, which can quietly influence scoring. To guard against this, grade each essay against the rubric before considering whether you agree with its conclusion. If you find yourself scoring more generously because you like the argument, pause and recheck the criteria.

Blind grading, where student names are removed, can also reduce bias. Some teachers shuffle papers so they do not read the same students consecutively. These small habits improve fairness without adding much effort.

Providing feedback that improves argument

Feedback should help students sharpen their reasoning, not just fix surface issues. Ask how a particular quotation supports the claim and whether a skeptical reader would be convinced. Questions like these push students to anticipate objections and strengthen their writing.

When working through a large class, rubric-aligned tools can help ensure that each essay receives feedback on the same core elements. You review and personalize the comments, adding your own insight. The combination produces consistent, meaningful guidance across a full roster.