Assignment Prompt
In this response, you will analyze two primary sources together. The first, Al-Yaqubi’s Description of Baghdad
Actions
Read both sources carefully and answer all of the following questions in order. If it is not possible to answer one of the questions based on the information available to you, explain why.
These two sources belong to the same genre: they are geographical texts in which the author brags about how wonderful his hometown is. One source praises Baghdad, the other source praises Venice.
Who wrote each source? When? Where?
What were two good qualities that both Baghdad and Venice shared?
What was one good quality of Baghdad that Venice did not share?
What was one good quality of Venice that Baghdad did not share?
Based on these descriptions, if you had a time machine, which medieval city would you rather visit? Why?
Finally, ask one or two questions that would help you to understand the new source, In Praise of the City of Venice,
Structure
Your response paper should be 400–500 words long.
If you want to include a direct quote from the source, put it in quotation marks and give the title and page number in parentheses. It should look like this: “every day the tide rises and falls, but the city remains dry.” (In Praise of the City of Venice, 228)
Organizing your response in a logical way, quoting the source correctly, and using correct grammar and spelling all count as part of your grade for this assignment.
