Homework Assignment Sheet
Global History and Geography I E. Napp
The thematic essay is due on Friday, February 4, for all classes except
Period 6. Period 6 students must submit the essay on Thursday, February 3.
Friday is Day 6.
Helpful Hints for the thematic essay:
Hint #1: An essay is like a circle. It begins with a presentation of the essay’s big idea and it ends with the big idea. Between the introduction and conclusion are supporting paragraphs, paragraphs that explain in greater detail the big idea of your essay.
Hint #2: Never use the United States as an example in a Global History and Geography essay. Save the U.S. for the U.S. Regents.
Hint #3: Carefully read the theme box before you write the essay. The theme box will tell you the essay’s big idea.
Hint #4: Carefully read the task box before you write the essay. The task box will tell you exactly what must be included in your essay. The task box can serve as a checklist for your outline of the essay as well as a checklist for when the essay is finished. In other words: Did you address every task in the task box?
Hint #5: After the task box, you will find suggestions. Usually, you will find your essay’s topics in the listed suggestions. However, if you don’t know any of the listed topics or if you know more about a topic not listed, you may use any topic from the Global History and Geography course that explains the essay’s theme. Again, you must never use a topic from U.S. history.
Hint #6: When picking your topics, look at the task box. Can you answer every task in the task box with the topics you have selected? Only pick topics that address the task. In this thematic essay, Hinduism and Islam are clearly the easiest topics regarding the task. The Hindu caste system and the Five Pillars of Islam are easy to explain influences on culture. Always select topics that can easily answer the task questions.
Hint #7: Stretch it! Instead of simple writing the answer, explain your answer fully. For example, I could simply write the following sentences: “Hindus have a caste system. Hindus are born into their castes and can only marry within their castes.” O.K., not bad but only two sentences. And two sentences do not make an essay. Now, consider the following: “Hinduism has a caste system. There are different castes. Hindus are born into their castes. If a person belongs to no caste, he is an outcaste or untouchable. The castes are not equal. Some castes are high castes and other castes are low castes. People must marry in their castes.” The more you can explain it, the more of an essay it will become.
Finally, enjoy writing. Words are their own magic.