The character you create for the essay must be fictional.
Your character can be almost anyone - male, female, black, white, immigrant, rich, poor, etc. However, when you write about their life experiences, they must be accurate and based on corresponding material in lectures
You should be as thorough as possible in writing this essay. You must answer all of the following questions:
o What is your name? Gender? Race?
o Describe your family life. Parents, siblings? Do you have a spouse, children? You may add this information into the essay when relevant
o Where do you live? Are you living in the North, the South? Are you an immigrant, if so where are you migrating from and where are you going - Old stock or New? Do you live in the country or in the city? Do you have a home or live in an apartment? What are your living conditions like?
What is your occupation? Describe your work. How does your occupation affect you economically and politically
o Do you belong to any organizations such as unions, nativist groups, farming organizations, etc? Why or why not?
o What is your political affiliation and why? Do you get involved with Third Parties? If so, why? If not, why not?
o What do you do for fun/entertainment?
o Were you a part of the Progressive Era reform movements? If so, what issues were you involved in? Why? Or, what pieces of legislation passed during that time affected you? How?
o How do you feel about World War I? Did any of your family members serve in the military? Did any laws passed during the war affect you?
Keep in mind that you will start the essay as a young person in 1877 so that by the end of World War I you probably close to 60 years of age if not older. Feel free to add in children and grandchildren
Has your life improved over this time? If so, how? If not, why not? Are your children better off than you were at their age