Evidence and Answer

First Paper Writing Assignment H1112 - Gaston
Please choose one of the following options as the basis for an essay of one to two pages in length. Please see instructions below the questions for further guidelines. 1) “The Lost Entry” – For this paper, you will create a four or five line entry to Columbus’s travel journal. This entry must be accompanied by a paper of one to one and a half pages that uses Columbus’s actual letter as evidence to explain why you wrote the entry as you did. (Be sure to have an argument for this paper as you would for the other paper options. A thesis for this paper could be similar to the following: The journal entry I have created fits with the writings of Columbus because _____________________.) (See “Discovery Documents” on D2L)

2) What argument is Luther making in his “Table Talk” and why? (Document in Strayer, 754-755)

3) What can we say about life as an Aztec after reading Duran’s writings? (Document in Strayer, 593-596)

4) In his writing, “The Conquest of Paradise,” Sale calls Columbus “Eurocentric.” Could the same be said of Vespucci? Why or why not? (see Vespucci handout from class and Sale’s “Conquest” in “Discovery Documents” on D2L)

5) Based on the documents about the Inkas and the Mughals, explain how historical empires attempt to sustain themselves? (Document in Strayer, 597-599 and 653-655)

6) What does Busbecq’s letter tell us about the success of the Ottoman Empire? (Document in Strayer, 655-657)

7) Select one of the primary sources read to this point, and acting as a historian does, make an argument for one thing that the source tells you about the society from which it came.

8) You may also propose your own question or modify one of the above questions. Please check with the professor should you choose to do so.
Your essay must: * use only the designated document or documents (listed after each question). Please do not use outside sources. * be written in twelve-point type and Times New Roman font and must be double-spaced * have margins of either 1 inch or 1.25 inches * have an outline (this is separate and different from the Answer and Evidence Sheet) * use citations for evidence and include a bibliography in the following format: * citations should be placed in parentheses, include the author’s name and the page number(s), and should appear at the end of the sentence in which the information or quotation appears. The period for the sentence should appear outside the parenthetical citation. (The failure to cite could result in a zero for the paper.) * Example: (Strayer 551-554).

* The bibliography should be completed in the following format and should including every book or source used: * Author’s Last Name, Author’s First Name. Book Title. Place of Publication, Publishing Company, Year of Publication. * (Keep in mind that the book title should be in Italics and that the second line of the bibliographic entry should be indented five spaces.)
Please send papers to the professor through D2L before the beginning of class on the specified due date (see syllabus for due date)

Answer and Evidence Sheet (First Paper) HIST1112 - Gaston
What is the question?: What can we say about life as an Aztec after reading Duran’s writings?
Answer: The Aztecs placed great importance on their military, religion and strict laws. The structure of the Aztec community was shaped largely on three major groups, which manipulated the Aztec people.

List and Explain three pieces of evidence that support your argument (include source and page number):
1 – The importance of the military to the Aztecs.
Explanation: The military produced a number of rewards and privileges for those who participated in its organization and war. Special rights could be awarded to valiant warriors, brave captains and soldiers for their actions in war. A plethora of examples such as the right to build a two story house, the right to wear sandals in the city, the wearing of labrets, ear plugs, and nose plugs are some of the examples . The incentives might not be as elaborate of the King or noblemen, but still gave the military and the soldiers the motivation to excel and have honor. (Strayer 593-596).

2 – The significance of religion and rituals among the Aztecs.
Explanation: The Aztecs believed tremendously in a higher being, to the extent that they performed human sacrifices on their captives of war, prisoners and slaves. They offered these people in death as a way to please their god. The high priest performed this ritual on top of the pyramid, by cutting out the heart and lifting it into the air toward the sun. The body was then rolled down the steps of the pyramid and their owners were to retrieve it. The Aztecs also believed in market place gods. These gods threaten ills and other undesirable acts to nearby villages who did not attend their market place. (Strayer 595-596).
3 – The strict laws that maintained the obedience of the Aztecs.
Explanation: Law and obedience were strict and harsh for the Aztecs. Any law broken by the Aztecs could or would be punished by death or slavery. Most common laws that we use today were enforced by the king, but the price of breaking the law during the Aztec empire was much more severe. Simple laws such as the wearing of sandals, cotton clothing, labrets, nose plugs, special stones, ear plugs and threads of different colors could only be worn by the king, noblemen, high priest, and valiant warriors. Those who broke the law were subject to harsh punishment. (Strayer 594-595).

First Paper Grade HIST1112 - Gaston Name John Nickerson Total ___________/ 100 points Thesis Statement: Thesis clearly stated Vague thesis/Needs greater Lacks thesis and answers question focus on assigned question
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------------------------------------------------- 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Clarity of Language/Mechanics/Grammar (This includes the proper use of language, setting a proper tone in the writing, as well as clear grammar and mechanics that allow the paper to flow without interruption.) Exhibits clear language and Grammar, tone or language Grammar and language lacks grammar, and proper tone needs moderate improvement clarity/has improper tone
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20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Use of Evidence (This includes the presentation of evidence and the appropriate use of evidence. In other words, did the student use a lead-in to present the evidence and to put it into context? Did he or she overuse quotations or use paraphrasing well?) Evidence presented well Lead into or put evidence in context 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Evidence Well Selected/Clearly Analyzed Needs Further Evidence/Analysis Lacks Evidence and its Analysis
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20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Creation and Use of Paragraphs (Students should make clear connections to the thesis through clear paragraph objectives, and should divide up evidence into paragraphs and explain that evidence in a way that clearly links it to the argument.) Clear Paragraph Objective(s) Clarify Paragraph Objective(s) Lacks Paragraph Objective(s) 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Divides Evidence into Clear Paragraphs Add Systematic Division of Evidence in Order to Prove Thesis 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Clearly links paragraph Strengthen Links between Ideas/Statements in paragraph content to argument paragraph content and argument not directly linked to argument 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Citations and Outline (Note: a failure to cite evidence throughout the paper may be considered plagiarism and may result in a zero for the paper or the class.) Evidence Properly Cited Some Citations Missing Lacks Citations 5 4 3 2 1 0 Outline Develops, Connects and Organizes Ideas Outline Fails to Develop, Connect or Organize Ideas 5 4 3 2 1 0 Additional Comments (if no comments appear here, check reverse side and paper for comments also):

Self-Assessment Sheet – First Paper Assignment HIST1112/Gaston

Directions: Please give detailed answers for the following questions. No short responses. You may use the back of this paper. Please turn in this sheet in class in hardcopy at the time the paper is due.

1. What did you do to prepare for this paper? Did you complete the Answer and Evidence sheet? Did you create an outline? Explain.

2. How long before the due date did you begin to write this paper? Was that sufficient time to produce a successful first draft? Did you have time to edit that draft? Explain.

3. Did you solicit feedback from a tutor at the Academic Enhancement Center? From your professor? From a professor in another class? What did they tell you? In what positive ways does feedback influence an essay? Explain.

4. In what ways might you change your approach for the second paper in the course?