Final Exam:

Assignment:

In an essay, make a thesis statement which clearly expresses your idea of the cause/causes of the American Civil War.

Build a narrative from the events, people, and ideas of the first century of American History to support and defend your thesis.

The time span you are dealing with is from 1776 to 1860.

Process:

I anticipate you spending a minimum of two hours on this exam, no more than 2 1/2.

• I would start by writing a strong thesis statement: The American Civil was the [result? culmination? inevitable outcome?] of....
• Work with time periods: 1776-1800, 1800-1820, 1820-1830, 1830-1840, 1840-1850, 1850-1860. Select in each of the periods events, persons, or ideas that support or illustrate your thesis.
• Once you have the selections made, build your essay. I suggest when you are done with a draft of the body of your essay, rewrite your thesis statement into an opening paragraph that leads into your examples/reasoning.

A well written and argued essay will lead a reader inevitably, and convincingly into ultimate agreement with your thesis. This is an Essay, not a grouping of short answers.

Turning in your Exam:

You have 24 hours to return the exam to me, that is by 5:30 p.m. August 8th. I would prefer these be done in MS Word and emailed as attachments. If you do email them, send yourself a copy. This both assures you that the attachment went through, and gives you evidence that you submitted your final (should something go wrong).

If you insist on hand-writing these, then deliver them to my office, Beatty 312, in my hand or under my door by 5:30 p.m. Handwritten tests will be judged exactly the same as all others.

Good luck. Work Hard and well.