Sunday, January 23, 2011

Compare/Contrast Essay: French Revolution and American Revolution

In order to better understand two important events in world history, you will write a compare/contrast essay focusing on the similarities and/or differences of the French Revolution and the American Revolution. Your essay should contain a strong thesis statement, be well organized, use several specific details/examples to support your ideas, be at least two to three pages in length, and typed. You will be graded on the content as well as the quality of your writing.

Introduction and Thesis Statement (5 points)
Your essay must contain an introductory paragraph that foreshadows the points you will explore in your essay. Your introduction must also contain a strong thesis statement, which tells the reader how you will interpret the subject. (It presents the crux of your whole essay.) The rest of the paper will gather, organize, and present evidence to support your thesis statement.

Body Paragraphs (5 points for organization, flow, grammar, and spelling)
The paragraphs following your introduction present information that supports your thesis statement. These should be well organized and flow nicely to help the reader focus on your ideas rather than your writing. Transition statements between paragraphs are exceedingly helpful. Body paragraphs should be loaded with succinct factual information to inform the reader and illustrate your ideas. You may include headings or subheadings if you would like, but they are not necessary. If you would like to include images with your essay, you may do so, but they will add to the length of your overall essay.

Conclusion Paragraph (5 points)
After you have presented all the evidence to support your thesis statement in the body of your essay, you must wrap it up with a concluding paragraph. Your conclusion should restate the main points you made in your essay, and also restate your thesis statement. It is your last chance to reiterate how all the points you made demonstrate your thesis statement to be true.

Content (15 points)
You must choose at least three main ways the French Revolution and American Revolution are alike or different. Identify and include several historical facts to illustrate your three main ideas. Each idea will be worth five points, for a total of fifteen points.

Format
You essay must be typed and 1.5-spaced with one-inch margins. Use 10- to 12-point Times New Roman, Calibri, or Arial fonts. Include your name, class, and the date in upper-right header of your essay. Also include a title for your essay. You may indent each paragraph, or organize your paper in block format. It is up to you, but make sure your paper is easy to read. (Be sure you divide your points into well-organized, identifiable paragraphs.)

Essays are due Monday, January 31st.

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