Hines’ History Spot

French II Honors – Complete ex.3&4 p.67. If you are joining French Club please bring in $12.00 (cash or check to CHS) by Mon. 9-18.

APWH – After the test we read an article from the New York Times about Zoroastrianism. Please write a half page summary in your reading journal. Also complete the take home portion of the test, the essay test. You may write or type the essay. I expect more from take home essays so pay attention to your thesis and use of details to support your answer. More than one paragraph is necessary to be successful. A copy of the essay handout is included below. Due tomorrow Thurs 9-14.

Essay Question – Choose one of the following questions to write a well organized, focused and well supported essay in response to the question. Be sure to be clear about your thesis statement. Don’t simply restate the question.

1. What were the main similarities and differences between Greek and Roman political structures?
2. Compare the main features of the social structure of the classical civilizations in the Mediterranean, China, and India.
3. What were the main similarities and differences between the empires of Rome and Han China? Why did Rome’s empire prove less durable?
4. Compare Greek, Roman, and Confucian ideals.

A thesis statement does not have to be one sentence, though it should be relatively compact, apparent, and prominent in the introduction. And of course it must fully address the charge of the prompt.

Prompt: Compare the qualities of the ideal Renaissance man and woman.

“Renaissance men and women had many similar qualities, but were different as well.” NOT a thesis statement. It does nothing but restate what is implicit in the prompt.

“Renaissance men and women were expected to be well-educated and well-mannered. However, while women were educated primarily to enable them to be good conversationalists, men were expected to use their education to make a mark upon the world.” Stronger thesis, and not hurt by the fact that it is two sentences.

Borrowed from Charles Ryder