Note: This is an interactive outline I use to introduce steps and sources for writing a 9th grade World Civilizations essay assignment. The 5th & 6th period classes are starting their assignment today.
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Paul's World Civilizations Two-Page Essay Research Project
Native Peoples of North America
From
the textbook: in each of the ten culture areas, "people adapted to
geographic conditions that influenced their ways of life."
Assignment:
Research, describe and explain (in a two-page essay) the cultural
characteristics of a tribe-nation and how these characteristics have
been created, shaped and or/influenced by the environment and geography.
Use at least 3 different sources (at least 1 print source, such as a book or magazine article)
Citation styles:
Finding Websites -
All these links and more (such as links to local college library catalogs) are on the
Paideia Library Start Page
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Tips on How to Write a Two-Page (aka "5 Paragraph") Essay
Anna's Explanation
Think
of your paper as a court case on a TV show. The police have collected the evidence (the information you've gathered in your research). You are the attorney
presenting the case to the jury (in this case, your teacher).
You present the plea, (your thesis statement) in your introduction -- "The culture of the XYZ people was shaped by the (desert, woodland, coastal, high plains, whatever) environment they lived in. These three or four aspects of their culture (main foods, festivals, religion, style of dress, style of housing, style of tribal government, nomadic or agricultural habits, etc etc) are some of the ways the local environment influenced their culture."
You present the plea, (your thesis statement) in your introduction -- "The culture of the XYZ people was shaped by the (desert, woodland, coastal, high plains, whatever) environment they lived in. These three or four aspects of their culture (main foods, festivals, religion, style of dress, style of housing, style of tribal government, nomadic or agricultural habits, etc etc) are some of the ways the local environment influenced their culture."
In
each middle paragraph, you give evidence to support how a different
cultural aspect is unique to your tribe because of where they lived.
Stick to one aspect per paragraph. Here's where you are proving your
case to the jury. Each source is a witness, the information you find is
their evidence.
Your
conclusion is the attorney's summation, the closing argument, where you
wrap it all up for the jury. Remind them of your thesis, explain why it
matters and how you've proved it.
Emory Writing Center on organizing your essay:
1). Write your essay as if it were going to be read by someone who knew less about the subject than you do.
2).
Your first paragraph must have a clear thesis statement which
explicitly states your argument. Explain here both what the thesis of
your essay is and how you will substantiate it.
3). Make sure that every subsequent paragraph expands and clarifies the thesis stated in your introductory paragraph. Support your generalizations with specific historical evidence.
4). All essays must have a clear organizing principle. Effective ways to organize them include (a) chronological organization, (b thematic organization, (c) organization by geographical region (d) organization by social group, etc. Whichever organizational principle you choose, use references to dates and time periods to structure and clarify your arguments.
5). In your concluding paragraph, briefly recapitulate your argument and then indicate its wider historical significance.
~ Quiz ~
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