Upton Sinclair spent weeks in Chicago's stockyards before writing The Jungle, and he wrote it as a novel because he wanted readers to feel what he saw. He belonged to a group of writers later called muckrakers, a tradition that also included Ida Tarbell and Lincoln Steffens. That context opens the door to writing assignments that go beyond the standard literary essay.

The simplest muckraking assignment asks students to write a short exposé about a problem in their own community, using the same techniques Sinclair used: concrete detail, a human face, and a clear sense of who is responsible. They learn that persuasion has craft behind it. They also discover how hard it is to be both accurate and moving.

Another option is a comparison task. Students read a short excerpt from Tarbell or Steffens alongside a chapter from The Jungle and write about how nonfiction reporting and fiction pursue the same goal differently. This works well in classes that combine history and English.

Both assignments are more open than a standard literary analysis, so the rubric needs extra care. Without one, you end up grading on how much you liked the topic.

A Rubric for Reform Writing

Grade the exposé on what the assignment teaches. Accuracy and evidence come first, because muckrakers were trusted only when their claims held up. Then craft: vivid detail, structure, and a voice that fits the purpose.

• Accuracy: claims are supported by named sources or observable facts
• Focus: the piece targets a specific problem and a specific audience
• Human detail: at least one person or scene makes the issue concrete
• Persuasive craft: word choice and structure move the reader toward a response
• Fairness: the piece acknowledges the strongest opposing view instead of ignoring it

Handling Sensitive Topics

Students often pick issues close to home, such as school policies, local employers, or neighborhood problems. That energy is a strength, but it needs guardrails. Set ground rules about naming private individuals, verifying claims, and focusing on systems rather than personal attacks.

Review topics before drafting begins. A five-minute approval conversation prevents most problems and helps you steer students away from subjects that would be impossible to research in the time available.

Feedback at Scale

Creative-leaning assignments are the ones teachers often skip because they seem harder to grade. A clear rubric changes that, and AI feedback tools can apply it consistently across a large class. GraideMind, for instance, can draft comments on evidence and organization while you focus on voice and impact, the parts that need a human ear.

Whatever your approach, give feedback on a draft, not just the final. Muckraking rewards revision, since the first version of an exposé is usually less accurate and less focused than the second.