how one theme changed over time

The purpose of this paper is to focus on how one theme changed over time. You must use at least THREE readings from this course. I have listed a number topics you can focus on, pick ONE: If you would like to cover something else check with your TA or me. 

1. What role did women have in this society? How did that change? Support your answers through specific examples from the readings.

2. What role did religion play the lives of the individuals studied? Did that alter over time?

3. Who produced the primary documents read for this class? Does this gesture to who had authority in this society? Did that change?

4. What role to did violence play in this society? What was it used for? How was it justified? Did it change over time?

5. Where was authority held in this society? How did that alter over time?

6. Explore the lives of those with the least power in society? How were they portrayed? Did their lives change?

7. What is a bigger marker of difference: class or race? Did this change over the course of the period covered in class?

Requirement：

Provide a clear thesis statement in your introduction. A thesis needs to stake out your position (i.e. make an argument or assertion) and should be followed by a brief summary of how you intend to prove it. This thesis needs to be explicit about which question you are answering!

Each point you make will be supported by a specific and thoroughly explained example from the readings.

All general statements need to be followed by specific examples or details to elaborate the point.

You should offer a brief description of your example to establish the context for your analysis. Provide who, what, when, where, and how/why.

If you paraphrase information from one of the primary sources, cite it just as you would a direct quotation.

Choose your direct quotes judiciously. Direct quotes are best used to provide an example from a primary source and to amplify your point. If you quote another scholar, it should be because a paraphrase cannot adequately capture their meaning or replicate its poignancy.

You should explain what your evidence demonstrates.

You should explicitly tell me how the evidence supports your argument and why it is significant.

You should provide a transition to your next example by showing its connection to the current example.

You must cite your sources, whether it is a paraphrase or a direct quote. Direct quotes must be cited immediately after the quoted material; paraphrased information can be combined into a single citation at the end of a paragraph. If you are not certain whether or not to cite, err on the side of caution and cite it anyway.

Your conclusion will recapitulate the main points of the essay and your thesis. Do not introduce a new line of inquiry or an open-ended question. You should endeavor to tell me the significance of this change over time (i.e. “so what?”).

Basic rhetorical tips:

· Do not overstate your argument, what your evidence shows, or its historical applicability. This is an essay about the early modern period and does not require comparison to modern society or need to be generalized to some timeless human condition.

· Avoid loaded language that applies modern judgments of past peoples (words like "irrational" "superstitious"), as it obscures more than it reveals. A good essay will suspend modern preconceptions and deal with the past on its own terms. This means explaining why past peoples believed and behaved the way they did. Not only does this help set up your evidence, it also allows you to analyze it.

· Avoid using hypothetical examples. Argue only what you can prove with concrete examples.

· Eliminate categorical statements or hyperbole (words like “always,” “never,” “all,” “every”). They are often easily refuted by counter-examples and their lack of nuance strikes the wrong tone with the reader.

· Use formal language instead of slang or colloquialisms. Spell out numbers under a hundred (e.g. seventeenth century, twenty-eight days) unless it is a date or a monetary denomination. Do not use contractions.