For this exam I would like you to develop and write  an essay between 600-750 words (may go longer). I would like you to pick a theme from the first 3 assigned chapters and develop that theme across the chapters into a cogent discussion essay. For example, you may choose to discuss the role of the church in Western technology. Or you may choose the role of commerce in advancing science, or medicine, or discoveries, or great men. Pick a topic that interests you. You may use outside course materials in constructing your essay.

Essay should include:

1.  Introduction – An overview of what you are going to discuss, argue, question.   The introdcuction should also suggest your expected conclusions.  This is where the reader (me) can get a sense of what is expected to follow.  You should include how the essay is going to flow.  The introduction can be brief, but it is critical for setting up the body of the essay.

2.  Body – This is where you develop the overview presented in the introduction.  Use specific evidence from text and videos to reference your points.  Be sure to properly cite your evidence in footnotes and/or parenthetic notes.  These citations should also be referenced at the end of the essay in sources.  The recommended style format is MLA (Modern Langauges Association) which you can access online.  The MLS stylesheet will give you examples of how to cite various sources.

3.  Conclusion –  A summary of your essay and closing comments.  This is where you tie the essay together and bring it to a convincing end.

4.  Sources – Sources are not counted in the essay word count.  You should list all and any sources you used in creating the essay, including course text and video.  Please refer to MLA style sheet for proper formatting.  A minimum of 3 sources is required.