- ASSIGNMENT:
Create a 8/5/3 List: List 8 interesting ideas + 5 analytical questions + 3 connections
List 8 interesting ideas (75-100 words each): 6 about the book + 2 about the
essay.
- What ideas did you find especially interesting and why?
- The 6 ideas from book(1 per chapter) + 2 ideas from essay.
List 5 analytical questions (50 words each, max.): 3 about the book + 2 about the essay.
*What are the most pressing questions that come to mind?
- List 3 connections between the book and the essay (75-100 words each).
*What connections can you make between the two texts?
SAMPLE TEMPLATE:
8 Interesting Ideas
- List idea (cite author of text, page number)
2. same as above
3. etc.
4-8. etc.
5 Analytical Questions
- List question (cite author of text, page number)
2. same as above
3. etc.
4. etc.
5. etc.
3 Connections
- List connection (cite authors and page numbers)
2. same as above
3. etc.
GRADE ASSESSMENT:
Grades will be based on the originality and insight of your ideas, questions, and connections.
Assignment Guidelines
The objective here isn’t sophisticated writing, it’s sophisticated thinking.
Technical Information
- Limit your submission to 3-5 pages total.
- Even though this is not a formal essay, the language should still be formal and error-free.
- Avoid first person and personal opinion.
- Use footnoted or parenthetical citations for everything!
- NO repeats of topics either within a section or between sections! Cover as much material from the readings as you can.
The Best Lists
- Avoid direct quotes in this assignment. Rather, use your words to explain your ideas, questions, and connections.
- Demonstrate depth and complexity of your own original thoughts on issues raised in the readings, NOT verbatim ideas from the readings.
- Explain why an idea is interesting! You must explain the nature of the connection you’re making, not just repeat ideas from reading.
- Rather than listing less important facts from the book, grapple with substantial historical ideas, events, processes, and changes.
Asking Strong Historical Questions
Questions should be of a historical nature, avoiding the following:
- Philosophical musings (What if…)
- Policy-related questions (Why doesn’t the government…)
- Psychological questions (Why would they do that?)
