Is the argument supported by specific evidence from the source materials?

In this essay, students will be using evidence (both primary and secondary sources) to make a historical argument. Essays will be examined for three key components:

· Does the essay have a clear argument?

· Is the essay organized in a clear manner, with paragraphs that are structured by theme?

· Is the argument supported by specific evidence from the source materials?

This essay assignment is designed to help students learn how to use primary sources to write a historical essay. For this essay, you will choose 2 (no more, no less) primary sources that we have read in class. Using these documents, you will answer the following question:

Historians have argued that the “central paradox” of American history is the fact that in British North America, freedom and liberty developed amid such “unfreedom.”

Is this an accurate description of British North America before the American Revolution? Explain why or why not.

When answering the question, you need to consider the following things:

–Geography (what part of British North America are you writing about?)

–Time/chronology (what time period are you considering?)

–Population (are you writing about slaves? Indentured servants? Women?

Native Americans? Puritans, etc?)

Again, the purpose of this essay is to introduce students to the art of using primary source documents to make an argument about the past. As such, the primary documents should be the major source of information that you use. You may use your textbook and lecture notes, but they should be used only sparingly, if at all. You need to convince me that you read and understand the primary source material. No other sources may be used, and the use of any other sources besides those assigned in class (this includes Wikipedia, Dictionary.com, any and all internet sites or other sources) will automatically drop your overall grade by 2 full grades.

Essays should be approximately 3 pages in length; 4 pages is probably too long.