Write a five-to-seven paragraph long essay that includes an introductory paragraph with a strong thesis statement, three or four body paragraphs that provide supporting evidence to support that thesis statement, and a conclusion paragraph that brings together your argument as a whole. Body paragraphs should begin with clear topic sentences and end with a strong transition sentence. You should plan to have 5-6 sentences per paragraph. All body paragraphs must have footnotes that cite your primary and secondary sources whether you are paraphrasing a source or quoting directly from it. You can expect to have at least six total footnotes in the entire essay. You must use at least one secondary source (like the textbook and/or class lectures) and at least one class primary source (most of the pdfs in the modules). You can cite the same source more than once. You do not need to consult outside sources—and I would prefer that you don’t.
An important note on analysis for all essays: students have generally struggled with demonstrating analysis on these essays. For any topic you choose, the best answers will not only explain what happened but account for its influence on other events of the time.
For example, if you want to explain why Calvinist theology was significant, you would not only give an account of what it was, but analyze its influence on other events. For example:
It inspired English Puritan colonists to create a society grounded in religious faith that prevented non-believers from voting.
Your Unit Essay #2 must answer one of the following questions. You choose the question: (you can choose one from these 4)
To what extent did the American Revolution and the expansion of the United States (1776-1840) open up new opportunities for women, Native Americans, or African Americans? Your answer should consider at least two of these groups and should be sure to connect core political ideals of the US to the lived experiences of each of your chosen groups. Answers must include a class primary source to earn highest marks.
What kinds of challenges did the writers of the US Constitution seek to address at the Constitutional Convention? How well did the Constitution meet those challenges between 1791 and 1840? Your answer should consider at least two of the major issues debated at the Constitutional convention. Answers must include a class primary source to earn highest marks.
How did Westward Expansion and the issue of slavery affect American politics between 1783 and 1840? Your answer should consider key moments from the entire time period mentioned in this topic. Answers must include a class primary source to earn highest marks.
How did religious and reform movements of the 19th century affect American society? In your answer, you should consider the general trends of religious and reform movements and to discuss two of those movements to demonstrate how they affected American society. [Note: Abolition can be included in your answer to this topic, even though I discussed it in separate lecture from the other religious and reform movements.] Answers must include a class primary source to earn highest marks.
Guidelines
Style Guidelines
-Your essay should be 5-7 paragraphs long, double-spaced paragraphs. Please do you best to limit your paper to 900-1100 words, excluding footnotes. Please include your word count at the bottom your paper.
-Use a normal, 12-pt font and 1-inch margins.
-You don’t need a detailed heading; just your name will suffice.
-Include the number of the question you are answering in your paper title.
-You may choose an essay topic similar to your group timeline project or you may choose to write about something different.
Citation Guidelines
-The Chicago Manual Style footnote system is required. See here for more information: https://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide/citation-guide-1.htmlLinks to an external site.
-I don’t want or need to see a Bibliography page. Just appropriate use of footnotes.
-When you quote directly from the textbook or the primary source, you must use quotations.
-You must cite your source with a footnote, even if you are only paraphrasing a source.
-For an example of how to cite a book, here is how you would cite our class textbook in a footnote. Please take note that you do not need to include chapter titles or subheadings. The number after the comma is the specific page number being referenced:
Eric Foner, Give me Liberty!: An American History, Brief 7th Edition, Vol. 1 (New York: W.W. Norton & Co., 2023), 197.
Use of Evidence Guidelines
-I don’t expect you to do outside research for these papers, and I don’t really want you to.
-You should plan to cite not only primary sources, but also the textbook and lectures for context.
-It’s much better to use class readings than to use internet sites that haven’t been vetted.
