EXAMINATION 1

Explain the development of the United States in the period 1700-1800.
Be sure to focus on political, economic and social contexts that developed in this time period. Did the manner in which the colonies developed have a bearing on the outbreak for Independence? Be sure to cite only from the Keene text and the lecture notes. Your essay will need MLA citations in every paragraph except the intro and conclusion.

Midterm is due no later than midnight THE DUE DATE

Email your midterm to history117@gmail.com

Essay Format:

Your essay must be at least 1500 words (minimum) in length. Do not use direct quotes, paraphrase the material that you use and cite. There should be citations from the required texts in every paragraph except for the intro and the conclusion. The easiest way to
cite sources is to use parenthetical citations that includes the author's last name and page
number (Mayer 199).  Your essay must have MLA citations in every paragraph except for the intro and conclusion.

Your first paragraph must contain a series of arguments that you intend to historically prove in the
text of your essay. Never pose rhetorical questions in your essay. Rhetorical questions are cheap
literary devices that make your writing style non-assertive and give the reader the impression that
you are not in control of your essay or the material. Immediately give the reader your overall
argument, and then, in succeeding sentences of your first paragraph list supporting arguments in
chronological order. The supporting arguments should be chronological in order and build on
each other.

The topic sentences of your paragraphs must do more than simply describe what the paragraph
is about, they must also state why the paragraph is important to the overall argument of your
essay. In other words, the topic sentence summarizes the paragraph, but also links it back to one
of the supporting arguments that you listed in your introductory paragraph. You must have dates
or at least periodize in almost every paragraph. Paragraphs should be one-third to one-half page
in length. Finally, your essay must have a conclusion that restates your original argument in light
of the data and facts that were discussed in the text of your essay. A paragraph is at least four
sentences long.
The last paragraph of your essay is the conclusion. Here you restate your original thesis and succinctly summarize all the material your paragraphs covered. Never editorialize or introduce new data in your conclusion. If it was not covered in your essay do not mention it in your conclusion.

To obtain an optimal grade your essay must be clearly written. Clarity of style, proper grammar,
spelling, analytical organization and logical coherence are essential if you wish to receive a
passing grade. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO TURN IN A FIRST DRAFT as your finished essay. A
decent paper will go through at least three rewrites. Therefore revision, rewrite, revision, rewrite,
etc., is the process that will earn you a good grade. FINALLY, BE SURE THAT YOU START ON THIS PAPER
IMMEDIATELY.

--LATE PAPERS WILL
BE ACCEPTED UNTIL THE LAST DAY OF CLASS BUT WILL NOT EARN A GRADE HIGHER THAN A C