Topic- The Age of Exploration: Compare the Spanish and the Portuguese
Guidelines: Research one or more of the Spanish and/or Portuguese explorers of your choosing. Be sure to determine the reason(s) or motives for the explorer's venture. Where they successful? Who funded their voyage(s)? Be sure to explore the major events, people, and reactions of the time of such voyages.
Option 1: Write an interpretive. The paper will be short (5-7 pages typed, double-spaced, Times New Roman, 12 point font, with 1-inch margins, page numbers centered on the bottom of the page). The paper must have a cover page and bibliography which are not included in the total page count. Your bibliography and notes must be formatted using the Chicago Manual of Style for the Humanities. You must have at least 10 sources in your bibliography trying to rely heavily on primary sources. You must cite the sources of all quotations and well as all specific paraphrased or summarized information using the Chicago Manual of Style footnotes. To write a good paper, you must consider how evidence is related to information in the text and all other related documents/resources you use in your research.
Interpretive Essay: Develop, explain and support with evidence one's own answer to a question of historic, political, economic or geographical importance.
Student must develop, explain and support with evidence a unique/personal answer to a question of historic, political, economic or geographical importance
Work will be evaluated on the following elements:
- Student clearly enunciates a thesis that directly answers the question under study and lays out for the reader how the essay will support that answer - Student incorporates clear topic sentences for each section of the essay - Student includes appropriate supporting evidence for each section of the essay - Student includes clear and logical transitions between sections of the essay - Student reasserts the thesis and concisely summarizes evidence in the conclusion - Student logically analyzes the question under study, supporting that analysis with thorough and valid evidence in appropriate depth from both primary and secondary sources - Student appropriately documents evidentiary support in the correct format per the assigned style manual - Student employs appropriate grammar, spelling and format.