What was the most significant event, idea, or period of the last 500 years?
1. In developing your answer, you need to consider what happened that had the most significant impact on world history during the time covered by this course. You then need to develop a declarative argument, or THESIS STATEMENT, that clearly identifies your answer and your rationale for why it is the most important component of modern world history. Please underline this thesis statement in your paper.
YOUR RESPONSE MUST INCORPORATE AT LEAST TWO WORLD REGIONS.
A strong thesis statement will contain the following elements
- It will be argumentative or debatable. Remember, I should be able to disagree with you! Your job is to convince me that your argument and interpretation are correct.
- It will be short and to the point.
- It will clearly indicate what your paper's purpose is.
- It will include an answer to the question and a justification for that answer (for example, "The invention of sliced bread was the most significant event in world history because it allowed people to make sandwiches, which are the world's most perfect food.")
- It will be as specific as possible in terms of time period and geographical location.
2. You will then use primary and secondary sources (the textbook and its documents, as well as the other assigned books, are acceptable) to provide information that helps support your argument.
- THIS PAPER IS NOT ABOUT YOUR OPINION; rather, a successful paper will move beyond the author's opinion on the subject and create a clear argument using supportive evidence and facts to prove why your position is the correct one.
- Your synthesis and analysis of this information will determine whether or not your argument is successful. Use specific pieces of information and quotes from the documents as supporting evidence to back up your thesis statement.
- Outside research is not required, but if you feel it will enhance your argument you may bring in outside sources. NOTE: Internet sources are not always appropriate sites of information. If you are planning to use information you found online please clear it with me first. Internet sources MAY NOT form the bulk of your paper.
3. You will accurately cite your sources and indicate where you located your information.
- All direct quotes from the textbook, documents, or other sources must be placed in "quotation marks" with a parenthetical citation (Strayer, 453).
- All paraphrased or borrowed information need not be quoted directly, but a citation must be given. This is typically done in text following the borrowed information, such as (Strayer, 876).
- Cite your sources according to whatever citation guidelines you are most familiar with (typically MLA or Chicago Manual of Style). Such as:
o Cite the textbook as follows: Strayer, Robert W. Ways of the World: A Brief Global History with Sources. Boston: Bedford: St. Martin's, 2013.
o In text citations are as follows: (Strayer, 786).
o Cite the documents as follows: Yat-Set, Sun. "The Three People's Principles and the Future of the Chinese People." In Ways of the World: A Brief Global History with Sources, ed. Robert W. Strayer. Boston: Bedford: St. Martin's, 2013: 964-965.
o In text citations as follows: (Yat-Sen, 964).
4. You will logically organize your argument and analysis.
- You will write an effective INTRODUCTION and CONCLUSION. These are the bookends of your paper, and the first and last things I will read. How will you grab my attention? What sort of impression do you want to leave me with?
- Organize your thoughts into logical paragraphs. REMEMBER: each paragraph should be focused on one main idea. Each paragraph should have a clear topic sentence that indicates the paragraph's main idea.
- You will logically build your argument by linking your paragraphs together with effective transitions.
5. You will distinguish between evidence and analysis. EVIDENCE is other people's words or ideas that you are using to support your argument. This information needs to be cited! ANALYSIS is your words and ideas that explain how the evidence is related to each other and how it supports your analysis.
- Use quotes to support your points, but don't let the quotes do the talking for you. REMEMBER: I want to hear your voice and ideas!