What to do: write a five paragraph-long essay that includes an introductory paragraph with a strong topic statement, three or four body paragraphs that provide supporting evidence, 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 4-5 sentences per paragraph.
All body paragraphs should cite evidence from AT LEAST 1 primary or secondary source.
This evidence MUST USE FULL footnotes that cite your primary and secondary sources, whether you are paraphrasing a source or quoting directly from it.
You can expect to have a MINIMUM of 5 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. DO NOT consult outside sources.
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.
Your Unit 2 essay must answer one of the following questions. You choose the question:
1. To what extent did the American Revolution and the founding of the United States open up new opportunities for women, Native Americans, or African Americans? Your answer should consider at two of these groups and should be sure to connect the ideas behind the revolution (such as Revolutionary Republicanism and Republican Motherhood) to the lived experiences of each of your chosen groups. Answers must include a class primary source.
2. How did religious and reform movements of the 19th century change American society? In your answer, you may want to consider the general trends of religious and reform movements and to discuss two of those movements to demonstrate how they changed 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.