EXAMINATION
2
Explain the development of the
United States in the period 1800-1850.
Be sure to focus on political, economic and social contexts that developed in
this time period. Be sure to cite only from the Keene text and lecture notes.
Exam 2 is due no later than midnight
THE DUE DATE
Email your Exam 2 to
history117@gmail.com
Essay Format:
Your essay must be at least 1500
words (minimum) in length. Do not use direct quotes, paraphrase and cite. The
easiest way to cite sources is to use parenthetical citations that include the
author's last name and page number (Mayer 199). The essay needs MLA citations from the Keene
textbook in every paragraph except the intro and conclusion.
Follow
the same style format as in the first essay.
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.
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. You are strongly encouraged to use outside sources if
you so desire. 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 ![]()